Local zoning · Tehama County

Tehama County — Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation under the Tehama County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated areas of Tehama County, the zoning ordinance (Title 17) does not establish a local historic preservation program, historic overlay district, or landmark designation process. Instead, historic-resource protections appear as targeted standards in specific chapters—most notably for wind energy systems, communication facilities, subdivision open space lots, and an exemption under the water-efficient landscape rules. These are the practical “hooks” applicants will encounter in land-use approvals.

The most consequential local rule for historic places in unincorporated areas: wind energy systems must be set back at least 1,000 feet from any property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources.

How Title 17 treats historic resources in unincorporated areas

Communication facilities near historic/cultural/archaeologic resources

Siting standard: Communication facilities may not be sited “where identified significant historic, cultural or archaeologic resources exist,” unless they are colocated on an existing structure or otherwise camouflaged/stealthed. This applies countywide in the unincorporated areas whenever a communication facility is proposed. See § 17.71.090(B)(2).
Practical tip: Expect staff to ask for mapping or evidence to avoid or mitigate impacts. If a site has known cultural or historic sensitivity, stealth designs and colocation are the viable pathways under this standard. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Wind energy systems: buffer from listed historic properties

Setback rule: Wind energy systems are prohibited within 1,000 ft of a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources. See § 17.83.070(a)(3).
Where wind is allowed by district: Small wind energy systems are allowed by right in some districts (e.g., RE, R-1, and AG-1–AG-4) and conditionally in many others; larger “wind power facilities” are generally conditionally permitted in resource, industrial, agricultural, and planned development districts, and not allowed in most residential/commercial districts (per the district matrix in Chapter 17.83). Regardless of district, the 1,000‑ft buffer from listed historic properties still applies. See Chapter 17.83 and related tables; see also § 17.83.070 for setbacks and § 17.83.050–.060 for height/location context.

Subdivisions: open space lots designated for historic resource protection

Open space tool: In subdivisions that use an “open space lot” configuration, the open space parcel may be dedicated to “Historic” purposes (among other open space functions). This is a zoning mechanism to preserve a site with historic value within a land division. See § 17.68.030.

Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance: exemption for registered historical sites

Exemption: The County’s water-efficient landscape requirements do not apply to “registered historical sites.” This avoids conflicts between water-efficiency mandates and preservation goals. See § 17.85.040 (applicability and exemptions).

What is NOT in Title 17 (as retrieved)

No local historic overlay district, historic district map, or certificate-of-appropriateness procedure was found in the retrieved code. Not found in retrieved materials.

Key standards that affect historic resources in unincorporated areas

Topic	Where it applies	Standard	What triggers it	Code Reference
Communication facilities siting	Countywide (unincorporated)	Avoid siting where significant historic/cultural/archaeologic resources exist unless colocated or camouflaged/stealthed	Any new communication facility	§ 17.71.090(B)(2)
Wind energy systems setback	Countywide (unincorporated)	Minimum 1,000 ft from National/California Register properties	Any wind energy system	§ 17.83.070(a)(3)
Wind energy by district (summary)	Varies by base district	Small systems: permitted by right in some districts (e.g., RE, R‑1, AG-1–AG-4); conditional in many others; large facilities mostly conditional in resource/industrial/ag zones	Proposing wind energy	Chapter 17.83 matrix; see also § 17.83.050–.070
Open space lots for historic conservation	Subdivision design	Open space lot may be dedicated to “Historic” use	Subdivision using open space lots	§ 17.68.030
Water-efficient landscape exemption	Countywide (unincorporated)	Registered historical sites are exempt	Projects otherwise subject to landscape standards	§ 17.85.040

How this intersects with other Tehama County processes

If your project type also requires design review, staff may consider visual compatibility and context; confirm submittal expectations. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Zoning permissions for uses are controlled by the base districts summarized under Tehama County Zoning and applied consistent with the County’s Land Use policies.
Dimensional rules (heights, setbacks) live in Tehama County Development Standards; wind systems have additional standards in § 17.83.050–.070.
Historic plaques/signs must also comply with Tehama County Signage. Not found in retrieved materials for any historic-specific sign exceptions.
Landscaping plans should note the historic-site exemption in Chapter 17.85 and otherwise follow Tehama County Landscaping and Screening.
Nonconforming situations are addressed in Tehama County Nonconforming Uses.
Building-code flexibility for historic structures is handled under the California Building Standards Code (California Historical Building Code), separate from zoning. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Practical notes for common situations

ADUs on historic properties: State ADU law allows local agencies to apply objective standards to prevent adverse impacts to properties listed in the California Register. Tehama County’s zoning code does not add historic-district rules for ADUs in unincorporated areas; rely on state standards and any local objective design criteria. See state guidance.
Parking, loading, and access changes near historic resources must still meet Tehama County Parking and development standards, unless another provision applies.

Checklist

Confirm whether the parcel is on or adjacent to a property listed on the National or California Register (matters for the 1,000‑ft wind energy buffer in § 17.83.070(a)(3)).
For any communication facility, document whether significant historic/cultural/archaeologic resources are present and, if so, design for colocation or camouflage/stealth consistent with § 17.71.090(B)(2).
If subdividing and wishing to preserve a historic site, consider designating an “open space lot” for Historic use per § 17.68.030.
If subject to the water-efficient landscape rules, check if the site is a “registered historical site,” which is exempt under § 17.85.040.
Coordinate early with planning staff on any design review triggers, submittal expectations, and how objective standards will be applied to protect historic resources. Verify with the jurisdiction.
If proposing wind energy, verify the base district permissions in Chapter 17.83 and apply all height, location, and setback standards in § 17.83.050–.070.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
No dedicated historic overlay or local landmark program in Title 17	Applicants need to know whether there’s a local designation/COA process	Whether the County or a community plan has any separate historic designation procedures. Not found in retrieved materials.
“Identified significant historic, cultural or archaeologic resources” (communications) is not precisely defined	Unclear threshold could delay or condition projects	How staff determine significance (e.g., DPR 523 forms, local surveys, CEQA record). Cite § 17.71.090(B)(2).
Wind energy 1,000‑ft buffer depends on listing status	Listing/eligibility affects feasibility	Whether the nearby resource is listed or formally eligible for the National/California Registers. Cite § 17.83.070(a)(3).
Historic-site exemption in landscape rules	Could change submittal content and irrigation planning	Confirm if the site qualifies as a “registered historical site” under § 17.85.040.
Use of subdivision “open space lot” for historic protection	Long-term protection may rely on easement language	Ensure recorded instruments clearly state the historic purpose under § 17.68.030.

Information Gaps

Any Tehama County-administered local historic overlay, register, or landmark designation process: Not found in retrieved materials.
Any certificate-of-appropriateness or demolition review specific to historic resources in unincorporated areas: Not found in retrieved materials.
Historic-specific signage allowances or exemptions: Not found in retrieved materials.
Objective design criteria specifically tailored to ADUs on historic properties in unincorporated areas: Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain-English Summary

Tehama County’s zoning code for unincorporated areas doesn’t create local historic districts, but it does protect historic resources in several ways. The biggest are a 1,000‑ft buffer from listed historic properties for wind turbines, siting limits for cell towers unless they are camouflaged or colocated, the ability to dedicate subdivision open space to historic preservation, and a landscape-rule exemption for registered historic sites.

Source References

Title 17, Tehama County Zoning Code (adoption/purpose) — § 17.02.010–.050.
Communication facilities siting near historic/cultural/archaeologic resources — § 17.71.090(B)(2).
Wind energy systems (setbacks, height, location; district permissions via matrix) — § 17.83.050–.070; Chapter 17.83 matrix.
Subdivision open space lots for “Historic” use — § 17.68.030.
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (historic-site exemption) — § 17.85.040.
State guidance on ADUs and historic resources — California ADU Handbook (HCD), historic-resource standards for ADUs.

Sources

Retrieved passages

CBC § 6 (§ 6) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 65915) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§3) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (Chapter 17.85) Medium relevance
CBC § 18214 (section 18214.) Medium relevance
CBC § 18954 (Section 18954) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (Section 17.85.050) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§1) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance
CBC § 8 (SECTION 8-301) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§3) Medium relevance
CFC § 2 (chapter and) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Tehama County code library

Frequently asked questions

Does Tehama County have a historic overlay or landmark designation process for unincorporated areas?

No local historic overlay, district map, or landmark designation process appears in Title 17 for unincorporated areas. Applicants should verify with the County whether any separate program exists outside the zoning code. Not found in retrieved materials.

How close can a wind turbine be to a historic site in unincorporated Tehama County?

Wind energy systems are prohibited within 1,000 feet of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources under § 17.83.070(a)(3). Always confirm listing status early.

Are there special rules for cell towers near historic resources?

Yes. Communication facilities cannot be sited where significant historic, cultural or archaeologic resources exist unless the facility is colocated on an existing structure or camouflaged/stealthed, per § 17.71.090(B)(2). Discuss stealth and colocation options with staff.

Can I use subdivision design to preserve a historic site?

Yes. If you’re creating an “open space lot,” it may be dedicated for “Historic” purposes among other open-space uses under § 17.68.030. Make sure the recorded instruments clearly state the preservation use.

Do the County’s water-efficient landscape rules apply to historic sites?

Registered historical sites are exempt from the County’s water-efficient landscape requirements under § 17.85.040. Confirm that the site qualifies as a “registered historical site” with the County.

Can I build an ADU on a historic property in the unincorporated area?

Yes. State law allows ADUs on historic properties, and local agencies may apply objective standards to prevent adverse impacts to properties listed in the California Register. Tehama County’s zoning code doesn’t add separate historic-district rules; rely on state standards and any local objective criteria. See state guidance.

Where do building-code alternatives for historic structures come from?

Those are in the California Building Standards Code (California Historical Building Code), not the zoning code. Title 17 defers to the more restrictive rule where conflicts arise, but preservation-specific building flexibility is handled under state code.

Do I need design review for work on a historic resource?

Title 17 doesn’t establish a historic-specific design review track, but some projects may require design review for other reasons. Confirm submittal requirements and whether staff will request materials addressing context or visibility. Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials.

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