Tehama County, CA Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Districts
- AG-1, AG-2, AG-3, AG-4
- Min. AG-1 lot size
- 160 gross acres
- Nuisance exemption
- § 7.25.130(E), Civil Code § 3482.5
- Scope
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Tehama County reserves land in its four agricultural districts, AG-1 Upland, AG-2 Valley, AG-3 El Camino, AG-4 Capay, for grazing, crops, and farm-compatible uses, limiting non-agricultural encroachment.
The purpose of the AG-1, Agricultural/Upland district classification is to implement the Upland Agriculture lands designation of the Land Use element of the Tehama County General Plan by recognizing lands capable of supporting grazing activities; providing for areas of intensive and extensive agriculturally-compatible uses; identifying and conserving areas of important open space, recreation, scenic, and natural value; and accommodating the use of land for compatible non-agricultural uses...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23).
Full Breakdown
AG-1 zoning (Tehama County Code § 17.10.010) implements the county's Upland Agriculture land-use designation, reserving land for grazing plus agriculturally-compatible secondary uses, tree, row and field crops, animal husbandry, nurseries, while limiting non-agricultural encroachment; residential use is capped at the owner or operator's principal dwelling. Three sister districts, AG-2 Valley, AG-3 El Camino and AG-4 Capay, apply the same protective approach elsewhere in the county. The county's animal ordinance separately exempts lawful agricultural operations from being deemed a public nuisance, § 7.25.130(E), tracking the state Right to Farm Act, Civil Code § 3482.5. This applies only in the unincorporated area, not Red Bluff, Corning, or the City of Tehama.
Violations & Fines
Building or operating a non-agricultural use in an AG district without the required use permit violates Title 17 and is enforceable as a misdemeanor under the county's general penalty, § 1.04.042; the county can also deny or revoke permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tehama County have a standalone right-to-farm ordinance?
Are AG-1 and AG-2 the same rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tehama County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tehama County to another location·View the California right to farm overview
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