Local zoning · Tehama County

Tehama County — Landscaping and Screening

Landscaping and Screening under the Tehama County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated areas of Tehama County, the local zoning rules on landscaping and screening live in Title 17 of the County’s zoning code. Three parts matter most: countywide commercial/industrial “Development Design Standards” for site screening and parking-lot landscaping, basic residential fence and hedge height limits, and the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELA) with submittal and irrigation efficiency requirements. This page synthesizes those rules and shows how they play out district-by-district; for general context, see the Tehama County Zoning and Tehama County Development Standards guides.

Big picture: In unincorporated Tehama County, commercial and industrial projects must screen roof and refuse areas and provide a landscaped street-edge and tree canopy in parking lots, while residential areas have strict fence/hedge heights and larger projects must meet the County’s water-efficient landscape submittal and irrigation rules (see § 17.08.080 and § 17.85.040) .

Countywide landscaping and screening rules that cut across districts

  • Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELA)

    • Applicability thresholds: applies to new or rehabilitated landscapes meeting the following triggers in unincorporated areas:
      • Each single-lot commercial/industrial project with landscape area ≥2,500 sq ft and requiring a permit, plan check, or design review per § 17.85.040(A)(1)(a) .
      • Developer-installed landscapes in single-family or multifamily projects with landscape area ≥2,500 sq ft per lot and requiring a permit, plan check, or design review per § 17.85.040(A)(1)(b) .
      • Homeowner-provided landscapes in single-family or multifamily projects with total project landscape area ≥5,000 sq ft and requiring a permit, plan check, or design review per § 17.85.040(A)(1)(c) .
    • Submittals and core standards:
      • A Landscape Documentation Package (water budget worksheet with MAWA/ETWU, hydrozones plan, irrigation design, grading plan, soil report) is required when WELA applies, and may be submitted with the permit/plan check/design review per § 17.85.040(B)–(C) .
      • MAWA formula: MAWA = (ETo)(0.8)(LA)(0.62); Tehama County’s ETo is 54.74 per § 17.85.040(C)(2) .
      • Hydrozones and plant grouping by water use are required; plant selection must fit site conditions; fire prevention needs must be addressed in fire-prone areas per § 17.85.040(C)(5)(a) .
      • Irrigation design must prevent runoff/overspray; no overhead sprinklers in median strips less than 10 ft wide; irrigation efficiency baseline 0.625; separate landscape water meters are required for all but single-family or projects with landscaped area <5,000 sq ft per § 17.85.040(C)(6) .
      • Soil management: minimum 3 in. mulch over planting areas; compost incorporation 4 cy/1,000 sq ft to 6 in. depth unless soils already ≥6% organic matter per § 17.85.040(C)(11) .

  • Development Design Standards for commercial and industrial sites

    • Applicability: The design standards section activates for commercial/industrial sites exceeding 10,000 sq ft of impervious surface for plot plan approval, and it also states that the listed development design standards “apply to all commercial and industrial zones regardless of size.” The landscaping/screening items below therefore apply across commercial/industrial zones in unincorporated areas per § 17.08.080 .
    • Required screening and landscaping:
      • Screen all roof equipment from horizontal line of sight; use parapets or integrate screening into building massing per § 17.08.080(D) .
      • Screen trash/refuse areas with a solid masonry wall and a solid front gate; design compatible with the site’s architecture per § 17.08.080(E)(1) .
      • Parking-lot landscaping: provide a 10 ft deep landscaped strip along the street right-of-way edge; landscape at least 5% of the gross area used for off-street parking/access (not counting the street-edge strip or walk/drive areas); plant one tree per 8 parking spaces; provide in-ground permanent irrigation per § 17.08.080(F)(2)-(4) .
      • Shield exterior lighting to prevent glare/spill onto adjacent properties, vehicles, and pedestrians per § 17.08.080(F)(5) .

  • Residential fence and hedge heights (R districts)

    • In residential districts, fences in side/rear yards may not exceed 6 ft; fences and hedges may not exceed 3 ft within the front yard setback per § 17.08.030(F) .

  • Communication facilities (countywide standard)

    • Where landscaping is required for a communication facility, it must be maintained for the life of the facility to screen ground structures/equipment per § 17.71.090(F) . See also Tehama County Overlay Districts for broader overlay context.

  • Relationship to other rules

Most-used landscaping and screening standards (quick reference)

Topic Requirement in unincorporated areas Code Reference
Residential fences/hedges Max 6 ft in side/rear yards; max 3 ft within front-yard setback (R districts) § 17.08.030(F)
Screen rooftop equipment Fully screen from horizontal line of sight; parapet-integrated screening encouraged § 17.08.080(D)
Screen trash/refuse Solid masonry enclosure with solid front gate; design compatible with site § 17.08.080(E)(1)
Street-edge landscape (parking) 10 ft deep landscape strip along street ROW edge at parking areas § 17.08.080(F)(2)
Interior parking landscaping ≥5% of gross parking/access area landscaped (excludes street-edge strip, walks/drives); 1 tree per 8 spaces § 17.08.080(F)(4)
Irrigation for C/M sites In-ground permanent irrigation required § 17.08.080(F)(3)
WELA triggers ≥2,500–5,000 sq ft landscaped area thresholds depending on project type/installer; permit/plan-check/DR required § 17.85.040(A)
WELA submittals Landscape Documentation Package (MAWA/ETWU, hydrozones, irrigation, grading, soils) § 17.85.040(B)–(C)
MAWA baseline MAWA = (ETo)(0.8)(LA)(0.62); County ETo = 54.74 § 17.85.040(C)(2)
Irrigation limits No overhead sprinklers in medians <10 ft; avoid runoff/overspray; IE ≥0.625; separate meters except SFD or <5,000 sq ft § 17.85.040(C)(6)
Soil/mulch Mulch 3 in. over planting areas; compost 4 cy/1,000 sq ft to 6 in. depth (unless soils ≥6% OM) § 17.85.040(C)(11)

District-by-district: where landscaping and screening bite

R-1 Single-Family Residential (unincorporated areas)

  • Purpose/uses: Single-family residential; additional listed uses may require permits (e.g., parks/schools, care facilities) per § 17.16.030 .
  • Key dimensional standards: Typical front/side/rear yards and height/coverage are set at § 17.16.040–.060 (e.g., front = 20 ft or 50 ft from roadway centerline, whichever greater; height ≤35 ft) .
  • Landscaping/screening: Fences/hedges are limited to 3 ft in the front setback and 6 ft in side/rear yards per § 17.08.030(F) . Larger developer-installed projects may trigger WELA (§ 17.85.040) .

R-3 Multiple Residential (unincorporated areas)

  • Purpose/uses: Multiple dwellings; RV/mobile home parks require a use permit per § 17.20.030 .
  • Key dimensional standards: Yards, lots, inter-building spacing, height/coverage at § 17.20.050–.080 (e.g., front = 20 ft or 50 ft from roadway centerline, whichever greater; height ≤35 ft) .
  • Landscaping/screening: Same R-district fence/hedge limits apply per § 17.08.030(F) . WELA applies to qualifying developer-installed or homeowner-provided projects per § 17.85.040(A) .

M-1 Light Industrial (unincorporated areas)

  • Purpose/uses: Light industrial, including assembly, warehousing, R&D, accessory offices, and several service/repair uses per § 17.34.020(A)–(B) .
  • Key dimensional standards: Front yard 20 ft; side/rear as other codes require per § 17.34.040 .
  • Landscaping/screening: Must comply with Development Design Standards, including screening roof equipment and refuse areas, 10 ft street-edge landscaped strip at parking, 5% interior lot landscaping, and 1 tree per 8 spaces per § 17.08.080(D)–(F) . Section § 17.34.020(D) also cross-references the County’s design standards before building permits are issued .

Commercial districts (C-1, C-2, C-3) in unincorporated areas

  • Purpose/uses: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Landscaping/screening: The County’s Development Design Standards state that the listed landscaping/screening items apply “to all commercial and industrial zones regardless of size,” including the 10 ft parking-lot street-edge landscaped strip, 5% interior parking landscaping, 1 tree per 8 spaces, and screening of roof/refuse areas per § 17.08.080(D)–(F) .

Communication facilities (Chapter 17.71) — countywide siting

  • Purpose/uses: Communication facilities standards and permitting; conditions may be imposed per § 17.71.080–.090 .
  • Landscaping/screening: Any landscaping required for a facility must be maintained to screen ground equipment for the life of the facility per § 17.71.090(F) .

Practical notes and coordination

  • Parking-lot landscaping is both a landscape and a parking issue. Coordinate with site circulation early to preserve the 10 ft frontage strip and tree islands per § 17.08.080(F)(2), (4) .
  • WELA and design review often move in tandem for commercial sites; integrate the WELA Landscape Documentation Package with your design review submittals per § 17.85.040(B) .
  • If an unusual site constraint warrants relief from strict standards, explore Tehama County Variances and Exceptions. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Checklist

  • Confirm if your project is in unincorporated Tehama County and identify the base district/overlay via the Tehama County Land Use map.
  • Determine if WELA applies (2,500–5,000 sq ft thresholds + permit/plan-check/design review) per § 17.85.040(A) .
  • Prepare a complete Landscape Documentation Package if WELA applies (MAWA/ETWU, hydrozones plan, irrigation plan, grading, soils) per § 17.85.040(B)–(C) .
  • Design irrigation to avoid runoff/overspray; no overhead sprinklers in medians <10 ft; target IE ≥0.625; provide separate landscape meter where required per § 17.85.040(C)(6) .
  • Provide mulch and compost per soil standards (3 in. mulch; 4 cy/1,000 sq ft to 6 in.) per § 17.85.040(C)(11) .
  • For commercial/industrial sites, include: 10 ft street-edge landscaped strip at parking; ≥5% interior parking landscaping; 1 tree/8 spaces; in-ground irrigation per § 17.08.080(F) .
  • Fully screen rooftop equipment and enclose trash with solid masonry/gate per § 17.08.080(D)–(E) .
  • For residential (R districts), meet fence/hedge height limits (3 ft front, 6 ft side/rear) per § 17.08.030(F) .
  • If a communication facility is involved, maintain required landscaping to screen ground equipment per § 17.71.090(F) .
  • Coordinate with Tehama County Design Review and Tehama County Development Standards as applicable.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
WELA triggers Submittal and design obligations activate at specific landscape areas Confirm measured landscaped area and whether permit/plan-check/DR is required per § 17.85.040(A)
Commercial design standards scope § 17.08.080 sets a 10,000 sq ft impervious threshold, but states certain standards apply regardless of size Treat landscaping/screening items in § 17.08.080(D)–(F) as universally applicable to C/M zones; verify with Planning if under 10,000 sq ft
Fence limits outside R districts Only R districts have explicit fence/hedge heights in retrieved materials If fencing is proposed in non-R districts, ask Planning for any district-specific fence limits. Not found in retrieved materials.
“Large parking areas” The code sets a 5% landscape minimum; definition of “large” not separately provided Apply § 17.08.080(F)(4) as written; verify if any administrative thresholds clarify “large” in practice
Tree species suitability Code requires trees “suited to the area climate zone” Confirm species list/acceptability with County or water purveyor during WELA review per § 17.08.080(F)(4)
Median sprinkler ban thresholds Overhead sprinklers prohibited in medians <10 ft Check all narrow strips/medians in the design against § 17.85.040(C)(6)(a)(1)(iii) to avoid redesign later

Information Gaps

  • Specific permitted uses and dimensional standards for Commercial districts (C-1, C-2, C-3): Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Any countywide buffer planting requirements between unlike uses (e.g., C-to-R interface): Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Fence/wall height standards for non-residential districts: Not found in retrieved materials.
  • Any district-specific landscape palette or street-tree lists: Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building in unincorporated Tehama County, plan on screening rooftop equipment and trash areas, and put a 10-foot planting strip between street and parking with trees inside the lot. Bigger landscape projects kick in the County’s water‑efficient landscape checklist, irrigation efficiency, and soil/mulch rules. Front-yard fences and hedges stay low (3 feet) in residential districts, while side/rear fences can be 6 feet.

Source References

  • § 17.02.060, § 17.02.070 (Applicability; Permissive code)
  • § 17.08.030(F) (Residential fence/hedge heights)
  • § 17.08.080(D)–(G) (Development Design Standards: screening, landscaping, lighting)
  • § 17.16.030–.070 (R-1 uses, yards, lots, height/coverage)
  • § 17.20.030, .050–.080 (R-3 uses, yards, lots, height/coverage)
  • § 17.34.020, .040 (M-1 permitted uses; yards; design-standards cross-reference)
  • § 17.71.080–.090(F) (Communication facilities; landscaping to screen equipment)
  • § 17.85.010–.040 (Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance: applicability, submittals, MAWA/ETo, irrigation, soils/mulch)

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Tehama County Zoning Code (Section 17.85.050) High relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code (§1) High relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 17) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 1 (Title 17) Medium relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code (Section 492.5) Medium relevance
  • Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What landscaping is required for commercial or industrial projects in unincorporated Tehama County?

Provide a 10 ft deep landscaped strip along the street edge of parking, landscape at least 5% of the gross parking/access area, plant one tree per 8 spaces, and install in-ground irrigation. Also screen rooftop equipment and trash areas. These apply to all commercial/industrial sites per § 17.08.080(D)–(F) .

When do I need to submit a Water Efficient Landscape package?

If your project meets WELA thresholds—e.g., a single-lot commercial/industrial landscape ≥2,500 sq ft or homeowner-installed ≥5,000 sq ft—and it needs a permit, plan check, or design review, you must submit the Landscape Documentation Package (water budget, hydrozones, irrigation, grading, soils) per § 17.85.040(A)–(C) .

How tall can my front-yard fence or hedge be in a residential district?

In unincorporated residential districts, fences and hedges within the front-yard setback are limited to 3 ft; side and rear fences may be up to 6 ft per § 17.08.030(F) .

Are trees required in parking lots?

Yes. For commercial/industrial sites, at least one tree per eight parking spaces is required as part of the minimum interior landscaping standard per § 17.08.080(F)(4) .

Can I use overhead sprinklers in narrow median strips?

No. Overhead sprinklers are prohibited in medians less than 10 feet wide. Design irrigation to avoid runoff/overspray and meet efficiency targets per § 17.85.040(C)(6) .

Do I need a separate water meter for landscaping?

Generally yes, except for single-family homes or projects with landscaped area under 5,000 sq ft. Separate landscape water meters are otherwise required per § 17.85.040(C)(6)(a)(3) .

Does the 10,000 sq ft threshold exempt small commercial sites from landscaping?

No. While § 17.08.080 triggers certain design-review mechanics at 10,000 sq ft impervious surface, the listed landscaping/screening standards are stated to apply to all commercial and industrial zones regardless of size per § 17.08.080(F) .

Do multifamily projects have special landscaping rules?

Multifamily sites follow the same WELA thresholds (developer-installed ≥2,500 sq ft; homeowner-provided ≥5,000 sq ft) and must comply with irrigation efficiency, median-sprinkler, and soil/mulch provisions per § 17.85.040(A), (C) .

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