7.4 TPZ: TIMBERLAND PRODUCTION ZONE

The Timberland Production or TPZ Zone is intended to provide standards and restrictions for the preservation of timberlands for growing and harvesting timber. (Former Section INL#314-10; and INL#314-11; Ord. 1099 Sec. 1, 9/ 13/76; Amended by Ord. 1842, Sec. 5, 8/16/88; Amended by Ord. 1907, Sec. 1, 8/21/90; Amended by Ord. 2166, Sec. 11, 4/7/98; Amended by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

314-7.4 TPZ: TIMBERLAND PRODUCTION Principal Permitted Uses

Growing and harvesting of timber and accessory uses compatible thereto.

Accessory agricultural uses and structures listed at Sections 314-43.1.3 (Permitted Agricultural Accessory Uses) and 314-69.1.1 (Permitted Agricultural Accessory Structures). (Added by Ord. 2189, Sec. 1, 2/9/99; Amended by Ord. 2214, 6/6/00)

Principal Permitted Uses Compatible with Timber Production

The following accessory uses are deemed to be compatible with the growing and harvesting of timber provided they do not significantly detract from the use of the property for, or inhibit, growing and harvesting of timber: (Former Section INL#314-11)

Management for watershed and wetland restoration.

Management for fish and wildlife habitat.

A use integrally related to the growing, harvesting and processing of forest products; including but not limited to roads, log landings, and log storage areas (portable chippers and portable sawmills are considered a part of “processing”).

The erection, construction, alteration, or maintenance of gas, electric, or water facilities.

Grazing and other agricultural uses.

One (1) family dwelling or manufactured home, accessory dwelling unit, and normal accessory uses and structures for owner or caretaker subject to the special restrictions of Section 314-7.4.1.6, Special Restrictions Regarding Residences.

Temporary labor camps, less than one (1) year in duration, accessory to timber harvesting or planting operations.

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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314-7.4

TPZ: TIMBERLAND PRODUCTION

Recreational use of the land by the public, with or without charge, for any of the following: walking, hiking, picnicking, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting and skiing. (Former Section INL#314-11(h); Ord. 1099, Sec. 2, 9/13/76; Amended by Ord. 1907, Sec. 2, 8/21/90)

Uses Permitted With a Use Permit

Note: Permits authorized under this section cannot be approved if such use will significantly detract from the use of the property for, or inhibit, growing and harvesting of timber. (Former Section INL#314-10(b)(1-2); Ord. 1099, Sec. 1, 9/13/76; Amended by Ord. 1842, Sec. 5, 8/16/88, Amended by Ord. 1907, Sec. 1, 8/21/90, Amended by Ord. 2166, Sec. 11, 4/7/98)

Timber production processing plants (buildings) for commercial processing of wood and wood products, including but not limited to sawmills, lumber and plywood mills, but not including a pulp mill.

Utilities and energy facilities: the erection, construction, alteration, or maintenance of wind or hydroelectric solar or biomass generation, and other fuel or energy production facilities. (Added by Ord. 2635, 8/27/19)

Public recreation and public access facilities. (Added by Ord. 2635, 8/27/19)

Oil and gas drilling and processing, metallic mining, surface mining. (Added by Ord. 2635, 8/27/19)

Incidental camping area, tent camp, temporary recreational vehicle park, special occupancy parks, and similar recreational uses. (Amended by Ord. 2166, Sec. 11, 4/7/98)

Timber-related visitor-serving: burl shops, timber museums, interpretive centers, etc., which do not change the character of the principal use. (Added by Ord. 2635, 8/27/19)

Any use not specifically enumerated in this division, if it is similar to and compatible with the uses permitted in the TPZ Zone.

7.4.1.1 Provisions of Article 1 “General Provisions” (Section 51100); Article 2 “Establishment of Timberland Production Zone” (Subsections 51110 and 51119.5); Article 3 “Rezoning” (Subsections 51120 and 51121); Article 4 “Immediate Rezoning” (Subsections 51130 through 51134); and Article 5 “Removal from Zone” (Subsections 51140 through 51146) of the Government Code of the State of California as it now reads, or may be hereafter amended, shall apply. (Former Section INL#314-12(a); Ord. 1099, Sec. 2, 9/13/76; Amended by Ord. 1907, Sec. 3, 8/21/90)

7.4.1.2 An owner of real property may petition the Board of Supervisors to zone land as Timberland Production or TPZ Zone. The Board, by ordinance, after the recommendation of the Planning Commission pursuant to Section 51110.2 of the Government Code, and after public hearing, shall zone as a Timberland

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Production or TPZ Zone all parcels submitted to it by petition pursuant to Section 51113 which meet all of the following criteria: (Former Section INL#314-12(b))

7.4.1.2.1 A map shall be prepared showing the legal description or the assessor’s parcel number of the property desired to be zoned Timberland Production or TPZ Zone. (Former Section INL#314-12(b)(1))

7.4.1.2.2 A plan (or a timber management guide) for forest management of the property must be prepared or approved as to content by a registered forester. Such plan shall provide for the eventual harvest of timber within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the preparer of the plan. (Former Section INL#314-12(b)(2))

7.4.1.2.3 The parcel shall currently meet the timber stocking standards as set forth in Section 4561 of the Public Resources Code and the forest practice rules adopted by the State Board of Forestry for the district in which the parcel is located, or the owner must sign an agreement with the Board of Supervisors to meet such stocking standards and forest practice rules by the fifth anniversary of the signing of such agreement. The agreement shall provide that if the parcel is subsequently zoned as Timberland Production or TPZ and fails to meet the stocking standards and forest practice rules within the time period, the Board of Supervisors shall rezone the parcel to another zone pursuant to Section 51113(c)(3) or 51121 of the Government Code. (Former Section INL#314-12(b)(3))

7.4.1.2.4 The land to be rezoned Timberland Production or TPZ shall be in the ownership of one (1) person, as defined in Section 38106 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and shall be comprised of a single parcel or a unit of contiguous parcels as defined in Section 51104 of the Government Code, which is eighty (80) acres or one-half (1/2) of one-quarter (1/4) section in size or larger. (Former Section INL#314-12(b)(4))

be rezoned Timberland Production or TPZ shall be in the ownership of one (1) person, as defined in Section 38106 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and shall be comprised of a single parcel or a unit of contiguous parcels as defined in Section 51104 of the Government Code, which is eighty (80) acres or one-half (1/2) of one-quarter (1/4) section in size or larger. (Former Section INL#314-12(b)(4))

7.4.1.2.5 The land to be included in the Timberland Production or TPZ Zone shall be timberland as defined by Section 51104(f) of the Government Code. (Former Section INL#314-12(b)(5); Ord. 1126, Sec. 1, 3/12/77; Amended by Ord. 1907, Sec. 3, 8/21/90)

7.4.1.2.6 The land shall be in compliance with the land use standards of the Timberland Production or TPZ Zone. (Former Section INL#314-12(b)(6))

7.4.1.3 Minimum parcel size:

7.4.1.3.1 One hundred sixty (160) acres; or (Former Section INL#314-12(c)(1))

7.4.1.3.2 Forty (40) acres if the provisions of Government Code Section 51119.5 are met. (Former Section INL#314-12(c)(2))

7.4.1.4 Special Subdivision Provisions For Mixed Zone Parcels. Parcels containing Timberland Production or TPZ zoned land may be subdivided below the minimum parcel size allowed pursuant to Section 314-7.4.1.3 where TPZ zoned land of a smaller size already exists and all of the following requirements are satisfied: (Former Section INL#314-12(d))

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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7.4.1.4.1 TPZ zoned land within the parcel is not being divided or separated by the subdivision; and (Former Section INL#314-12(d)(1))

7.4.1.4.2 Adequate access is available for timber management for the TPZ zoned land; and (Former Section INL#314-12(d)(2))

7.4.1.4.3 A timber management guide for the TPZ zoned land approved by the County Forestry Review Committee has been submitted for the subdivision; provided, however, that such a timber management guide shall not be required if the subdivision is restricted to prohibit residential or other development from the TPZ portion of the parcel; and (Former Section INL#314-12(d)(3))

7.4.1.4.4 The subdivision meets all other regulatory requirements applicable to subdivisions; and (Former Section INL#314-12(d)(4))

7.4.1.4.5 The parcel in which the TPZ zoned land will be contained is no smaller than the minimum parcel size for the adjacent non-TPZ portion of the parcel. (Former Section INL#314-12(d)(5))

7.4.1.5 Minimum yard setbacks*: (Former Section INL#314-12(e)(1-4))

7.4.1.5.1 Front: twenty (20) feet;

7.4.1.5.2 Side: thirty (30) feet;

7.4.1.5.3 Rear: thirty (30) feet;

7.4.1.5.4 For flag lots, the Director, in consultation with the Public Works Department, shall establish, in addition to a required minimum front yard setback, the minimum yard that is required for a vehicular turnaround on the parcel.

*** Note:** Setbacks may be modified by other provisions of this Code or State law. For example, see Section 314-22.1: “Alquist-Priolo Fault Hazard” and the “Fire Safe” Regulations at Title III, Division 11.

7.4.1.6.1 The total residential density shall not exceed one (1) dwelling unit per forty (40) acres. (Former Section INL#314-12(f)(1))

7.4.1.6.2 Accessory dwelling units may be permitted on parcels greater than one hundred sixty (160) acres, and on parcels less than one hundred sixty (160) acres only in the area already converted, intended to be converted, or that does not meet the definition of timberlands.

7.4.1.6.3 Parcels smaller than forty (40) acres shall not have second or accessory dwelling units, unless located within a community planning area. (Former Section INL#314-12(f)(2))

7.4.1.6.4 Residences and the associated accessory structures and uses shall not exceed two (2) acres per parcel. (Former Section INL#314-12(f)(3))

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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