Tehama County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Tehama County

Tehama County's code applies only in unincorporated areas. It sets its own setbacks for barns, stables, chicken houses and similar buildings in A districts.

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Key points

Side setback: In an A district in unincorporated Tehama County, barns, stables and chicken houses must be at least 10 feet from any side property line.
Building spacing: In an A district, Tehama County requires barns, stables, chicken houses and similar buildings to be at least 40 feet from any building.

Each rule below is marked Tehama County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Tehama County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Tehama County have their own codes and their own pages.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 10 feet from any side property line. Applies: Barns, stables, chicken houses and similar accessory buildings in an A district. § 17.48.040 · code text barns, stables, chicken houses, similar accessory buildings shall not be less than fifty feet from the front building line, nor less than ten feet from any side property line nor less than forty feet from any building.
Distance from the house	At least 40 feet from any building. Applies: Barns, stables, chicken houses and similar accessory buildings in an A district. § 17.48.040 · code text barns, stables, chicken houses, similar accessory buildings shall not be less than fifty feet from the front building line, nor less than ten feet from any side property line nor less than forty feet from any building.

RV and boat parking

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Where it may be parked	On the lot, at least 5 feet from side and rear lines and 20 feet back in the front yard. Applies: Applies to unoccupied RVs or travel trailers stored on property with a home, disconnected from all utilities. § 17.86.110 · code text That the placement of such recreational vehicle(s) or travel trailer(s) shall comply with the minimum setback of five feet on side yards and twenty feet in front yards and five feet on rear yards;

Solar panels and EV chargers

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Solar permit process	Apply electronically; electronic signatures are accepted; only one inspection is required. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.60.040 · code text The director of the building department shall make the checklist and all permitting documentation required for a small residential rooftop solar energy system available to the public on the county website. The building department shall accept applications for such energy systems through electronic submittal Administrative approval and all required permits. Applies: Applies when the application is complete, correct, and meets the checklist. § 15.60.040 · code text staff shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Swimming pools

Tehama County code What Tehama County's code adds
Pool barrier	At least 2 of 7 drowning prevention features; one must be an enclosure, removable mesh fence, or safety cover. Applies: New or remodeled pool or spa at a private single-family home; the mesh fence needs a self-closing gate. § 15.24.40 · code text An enclosure that meets the requirements of Section 115923 and isolates the swimming pool or spa from the private single-family home. Removable mesh fencing that meets ASTM F2286 standards. Applies: One of the at least 2 required drowning prevention features. § 15.24.40 · code text Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device.
Equipment and alarms	Exit alarms on house doors that open directly to the pool or spa. Applies: One of the listed drowning prevention features. § 15.24.40 · code text Exit alarms on the private single-family home's doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. A pool alarm that sounds when someone enters the water, meeting ASTM Standard F2208. Applies: One of the listed drowning prevention features. § 15.24.40 · code text An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water. The alarm shall meet and be independently certified to the ASTM Standard F2208 "Standard Safety Specification for Residential Pool Alarms,"
Gates	The gate must self-close, self-latch, and accept a key lock. Applies: Applies to the removable mesh fencing safety feature. § 15.24.40 · code text Removable mesh fencing that meets American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications F2286 standards in conjunction with a gate that is self-closing and self-latching and can accommodate a key lockable device. A self-closing, self-latching device with its release at least 54 inches above the floor. Applies: Applies to a house door that opens directly to the pool or spa. § 15.24.40 · code text A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor on the private single-family home's door providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
Permit	A building permit is required. Applies: Applies to building a new pool or spa or remodeling an existing one. § 15.24.40 · code text when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home

Other Tehama County rules on this

Tehama County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Animal raising combining district (Ch. 17.48) — residential lots with the animal raising combining district
Where beehives may be kept (§ 7.07.060)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Tehama County?

In an A district in unincorporated Tehama County, barns, stables and chicken houses must be at least 10 feet from any side property line. In an A district, Tehama County requires barns, stables, chicken houses and similar buildings to be at least 40 feet from any building.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Tehama County?

Tehama County's code: On the lot, at least 5 feet from side and rear lines and 20 feet back in the front yard. (Applies to unoccupied RVs or travel trailers stored on property with a home, disconnected from all utilities.) (§ 17.86.110).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Tehama County?

Tehama County's code: Apply electronically; electronic signatures are accepted; only one inspection is required. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.60.040); Administrative approval and all required permits. (Applies when the application is complete, correct, and meets the checklist.) (§ 15.60.040).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Tehama County?

Tehama County's code: At least 2 of 7 drowning prevention features; one must be an enclosure, removable mesh fence, or safety cover. (New or remodeled pool or spa at a private single-family home; the mesh fence needs a self-closing gate.) (§ 15.24.40); Removable mesh fencing that meets ASTM F2286 standards. (One of the at least 2 required drowning prevention features.) (§ 15.24.40).

General information, not legal advice.

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