Local zoning · Tehama County

Tehama County — Parking

Q: What are the R-4 district parking and loading rules for a clinic or office building?

For nonresidential uses in R-4 , provide at least as much off-street parking area as your building floor area (1:1 by square foot) and one loading space per nonresidential use (§ 17.22.090(B); § 17.22.100) .

Q: Do multifamily or boarding houses need more parking?

In R-3 , it’s 1 space per dwelling unit, plus 1 space per 2 guestrooms for boarding/lodging houses (§ 17.20.090) . In R-4 , residential uses follow R-3 (§ 17.22.090(A)) .

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

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the Tehama County Title 17 Zoning code regulates off-street parking and loading in the unincorporated areas. Most districts set a base rule of one off-street space per dwelling unit and require all other vehicle parking, loading, and unloading to occur on the lot, clear of public streets. Commercial and institutional uses rely on countywide “General Provisions for Parking and Loading Design Standards,” which provide use-by-use ratios and design rules. See the Tehama County zoning & planning overview and Tehama County Zoning for how districts are applied.

Plain-English anchor rule: Expect at least one off-street space per dwelling unit, and keep all nonresidential parking, loading, and unloading on your lot and out of the public right-of-way (district text; e.g., § 17.16.070, § 17.18.080, § 17.20.090, § 17.10.070, § 17.11.070, § 17.13.070 ).

In commercial districts, the county’s general standards control ratios and layout; some projects may also be subject to Tehama County Design Review or other Tehama County Development Standards. Overlays can add constraints; confirm any Tehama County Overlay Districts.

Core countywide standards (selected highlights)

General Provisions for Parking and Loading Design Standards: contains off-street ratios by use, compact-stall allowances, and rules for locating required spaces on- or off-site. See § 17.08.080 (use table excerpts, compact stall caps, and off-site arrangements) .
Compact stalls allowed only up to defined percentages (0–40% depending on lot size) per § 17.08.080(7) .
Required spaces can be on the same lot or within 300 feet with a recorded covenant per § 17.08.080(6) (“Parking Space Perpetuation”) .
Use-by-use ratios (examples): Churches/auditoria 1 space/4 seats + 1/300 sf office; Professional offices 1/300 sf; Retail 1/300 sf; Vehicle repair 1/400 sf; Warehousing 1/4,000 sf + office 1/300 sf; Hotels/lodges 1/room + 1/300 sf office—see § 17.08.080 table .

Note: Recent code maintenance renumbered this article; references that still cite § 17.08.090 now point to § 17.08.080 (editor’s note within § 17.08.080) .

District-by-district parking framework (unincorporated areas)

R-1 Single-Family Residence District

Purpose: Not found in retrieved materials.
Typical permitted uses: One-family dwellings; some public and institutional uses by permit (see chapter excerpts) .
Key dimensional standards: Front yard 50 ft from roadway centerline or 20 ft from property line (greater applies); side yards total ≥20% of lot width (min 6 ft each); rear 20 ft; max height 2.5 stories/35 ft; max coverage 40% (see § 17.16.040–.060) .
Parking: Minimum 1 space per dwelling unit; all other vehicle parking, loading, unloading on-lot and clear of public streets per § 17.16.070 .
Where it applies: Residential lots in unincorporated areas designated for low-density use (verify on zoning map).

R-2 Two-Family Residence District

Purpose: Provide areas near urban centers for duplex density; applies Chapter 17.08 general rules per § 17.18.010 .
Typical permitted uses: R-1 uses plus two-family dwellings per § 17.18.020 .
Key dimensional standards: Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft property line; side yards as R-1; rear 20 ft; height 2.5 stories/35 ft; coverage 45% (see § 17.18.050–.070) .
Parking: 1 space per dwelling unit; all other vehicle parking/loading on-lot and off-street per § 17.18.080 .

R-3 Neighborhood Apartment District

Purpose: Garden-type low-density apartments per § 17.20.010 .
Typical permitted uses: Multifamily dwellings, boarding/lodging houses; certain civic uses (see § 17.20.020) .
Key dimensional standards: Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft property line; side per % of lot width; rear 20 ft; lot area ≥6,000 sf, plus per-unit minimums; height 2.5 stories/35 ft; max coverage 50% (see § 17.20.050–.080) .
Parking: 1 space per dwelling unit; boarding/lodging houses 1 space per 2 guestrooms; all other vehicle parking/loading on-lot and off-street per § 17.20.090 .

R-4 General Apartment District

Purpose: Higher density residential, professional offices, and institutional uses with adequate off-street parking per § 17.22.010 .
Typical permitted uses: R-1 to R-3 uses (with limitations), hotels/hospitals/institutions, professional offices per § 17.22.020 .
Key dimensional standards: Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft property line; rear 20 ft; height up to 6 stories/65 ft with plane controls; max coverage 60% (see § 17.22.050–.080) .
Parking: Residential uses same as R-3; nonresidential uses 1 sq ft of parking area per 1 sq ft of main building floor area per § 17.22.090 .
Loading: 1 loading space per nonresidential use per § 17.22.100 .

C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District

Purpose: Local-serving retail and services per § 17.24.010 .
Typical permitted uses: General retail, small restaurants/bars, offices/clinics, personal services; lodging houses; mixed-use allowed per § 17.24.020 .
Key dimensional standards: Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft property line; side none unless otherwise required; rear 15 ft; height up to 2 stories/35 ft (see § 17.24.040–.060) .
Parking: See countywide General Provisions (now § 17.08.080; older references read § 17.08.090(F),(H)) per § 17.24.070 and the editor’s note in § 17.08.080 .

C-2 Community Commercial District

Purpose: Wide range of retail and services per § 17.26.010 .
Typical permitted uses: Includes C-1 uses, broader retail and offices per § 17.26.020 .
Key dimensional standards: Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft property line; side none unless otherwise required; rear 15 ft where accessible; height up to 6 stories/65 ft (see § 17.26.040–.060) .
Parking: Must comply with countywide General Provisions (§ 17.08.080) per § 17.26.070 .

PD Planned Development District

Purpose: Tailored regulations for large or master-planned sites per § 17.38.010 .
Typical permitted uses: Any R, C, M, S uses via a use permit per § 17.38.030 .
Parking: 1 space per dwelling unit; for commercial, minimum 1 sq ft of off-street parking area per 1 sq ft of commercial building area; the Planning Commission may require more through the PD permit per § 17.38.070 .

AG-1, AG-2, AG-4 Agricultural Districts

Purpose: Agricultural production areas (AG-2 purpose stated; AG-1/AG-4 purposes not found in retrieved materials) per § 17.11.010 (AG-2) .
Key dimensional standards (examples): Front 50 ft centerline/20 ft property line; side typically 10 ft (6 ft on certain small nonconforming parcels); rear 20 ft (see AG-1 § 17.10.040; AG-2 § 17.11.040) .
Parking (all): Minimum 1 space per dwelling unit; all other vehicles parked clear of public streets/roads for other permitted uses—see § 17.10.070 (AG-1), § 17.11.070 (AG-2), § 17.13.070 (AG-4) .

Key ratios and rules at a glance

Topic	Standard	District(s)	Code Reference
Residential minimum (per dwelling)	1 off-street space	R-1, R-2, R-3, AG-1, AG-2, AG-4	§ 17.16.070; § 17.18.080; § 17.20.090; § 17.10.070; § 17.11.070; § 17.13.070
Boarding/lodging houses	1 space per 2 guestrooms	R-3	§ 17.20.090
Nonresidential parking area (by district)	1 sq ft parking area per 1 sq ft main building floor area	R-4 (nonres uses); PD (commercial)	§ 17.22.090(B); § 17.38.070(B)
Loading requirement (nonresidential)	1 loading space per use	R-4	§ 17.22.100
Professional offices	1 space per 300 sf	Where General Provisions apply (e.g., C-1, C-2)	§ 17.08.080 (table)
General retail	1 space per 300 sf	Where General Provisions apply (e.g., C-1, C-2)	§ 17.08.080 (table)
Warehousing	1 per 4,000 sf + office 1/300 sf	Where General Provisions apply	§ 17.08.080 (table)
Off-site parking allowance	Within 300 ft with recorded covenant	Countywide General Provisions	§ 17.08.080(6)
Compact stall cap	0–40% max (based on total stalls)	Countywide General Provisions	§ 17.08.080(7)

Practical notes:

C-1 and C-2 chapters point to the General Provisions (now § 17.08.080) for ratios and design; cross-references that still list § 17.08.090 should be read as § 17.08.080 per the editor’s note (renumbering) .
Existing buildings with limited space can pursue an exception via use permit if they demonstrate equal-or-better design outcomes per § 17.08.080(8); this is separate from Tehama County Variances and Exceptions processes .

How these rules interact with broader procedures

Some projects (especially commercial/multifamily) may be reviewed under Tehama County Development Standards and may require Tehama County Design Review to confirm stall layout, access, and screening.
Density bonus housing: The county’s density bonus chapter caps required vehicular parking ratios for qualifying affordable projects (subsection N in the density bonus chapter). The code text appears in Chapter 17.80 near apartment conversion provisions (confirm subsection citation with staff) . For state context, see California housing laws.
ADUs: ADU parking rules are driven by state law; see California ADU law. Local ADU parking specifics are not shown in the retrieved zoning excerpts.
Accessibility, bicycle parking, EV: Any accessibility or bicycle/EV infrastructure mandates arise from the California Building Standards Code and are outside zoning; no local bicycle parking ratios were found in the retrieved zoning materials.

Checklist

Identify your base district and verify the applicable residential or nonresidential parking ratio (see district text or § 17.08.080 table) .
Keep all required parking, loading, and unloading off the public right-of-way and on the lot (district rules such as § 17.16.070, § 17.18.080, § 17.20.090) .
If using off-site spaces, secure a recorded covenant for spaces within 300 ft as required by § 17.08.080(6) .
Limit compact stalls to the percentages allowed in § 17.08.080(7) and meet any layout specifications in the General Provisions .
For R-4 nonresidential uses, provide 1 sq ft of parking area per 1 sq ft of floor area and at least one loading space per use per § 17.22.090(B) and § 17.22.100 .
In PD districts, check your use permit for any heightened parking totals beyond the minimums in § 17.38.070 .
Confirm whether any overlays apply that could affect site access or layout; see Tehama County Overlay Districts.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Legacy cross-references to § 17.08.090	C-1 still references § 17.08.090(F),(H) but that article was renumbered; the operative standards are now § 17.08.080	Confirm with Planning that your submittal cites § 17.08.080 per the editor’s note within § 17.08.080
Bicycle parking	No bicycle parking ratios appear in the retrieved zoning excerpts	Not found in retrieved materials; confirm if any local policies exist or if only state building code applies
Detailed stall dimensions/layout	Only partial General Provisions text was retrieved (ratios, compacts, off-site rules)	Verify full § 17.08.080 text for stall/aisle dimensions, surfacing, striping, driveway design
Density bonus parking caps	The text limiting parking for affordable projects appears in the density bonus chapter but the precise subsection number isn’t shown in the excerpt	Verify the controlling § in Chapter 17.80 for your project’s eligibility and ratios (excerpted near § 17.80.030)
Definitions placement (e.g., “parking space” location limits)	Definitions indicate parking spaces are not allowed in front yards or street-side yards; exact § numbering was not shown	Not found in retrieved materials (exact §); confirm the definitions chapter citation with staff (definition excerpt shown)
Special-purpose uses (e.g., events, B&Bs)	Separate chapters may impose tailored parking formulas	Not found in retrieved materials (precise §); verify applicable special-use chapter if relevant to your proposal

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building in unincorporated Tehama County, plan on at least one off-street parking space per home and keep all other parking and loading on your property, not in the street. For businesses, use the county’s General Provisions table (e.g., offices and retail are often 1 space per 300 sf) and mind caps on compact stalls, off-site parking covenants, and any district-specific rules like R-4’s nonresidential 1:1 parking-area-to-floor-area formula.

Source References

§ 17.02.060 Applicability to unincorporated areas (Title 17 applies countywide in unincorporated areas)
§ 17.08.080 General Provisions for Parking and Loading Design Standards (ratios table, compact stall caps, off-site covenant rule, exceptions; editor’s note on renumbering)
§ 17.16.070 R-1 Parking (1 per dwelling; other parking/loading off-street on-lot)
§ 17.18.080 R-2 Parking (same pattern as R-1)
§ 17.20.090 R-3 Parking (1 per dwelling; 1/2 guestrooms for boarding/lodging)
§ 17.22.090 R-4 Parking (R-3 for residential; nonresidential 1 sq ft parking area per 1 sq ft floor area)
§ 17.22.100 R-4 Loading (1 loading space per nonres use)
§ 17.24.070 C-1 Parking and loading (points to General Provisions; see renumbering note)
§ 17.26.070 C-2 Parking and loading (points to General Provisions)
§ 17.38.070 PD Off-street parking (1/DU; commercial 1:1 parking area to floor area; more may be required via permit)
§ 17.10.070 AG-1 Parking; § 17.11.070 AG-2 Parking; § 17.13.070 AG-4 Parking (1/DU; other vehicles off-street)

Information Gaps

Exact § number for the “parking space” definition that restricts spaces from front or street-side yards (definition text excerpted but not numbered) — Not found in retrieved materials .
Full text of § 17.08.080 design details (stall sizes, aisle widths, surfacing) — Not found in retrieved materials.
Precise subsection citation for the density bonus parking caps within Chapter 17.80 — Not found in retrieved materials.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Tehama County Zoning Code (title shall) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance
CBC § 7 (§ 7) Medium relevance
CBC § 2 (chapter and) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance
CBC § 2 (§2) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§ 30) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (§2) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
Tehama County Zoning Code (Section 21000) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Tehama County code library

Frequently asked questions

How many parking spaces do I need for a single-family home in unincorporated Tehama County?

The base rule is one off-street space per dwelling unit. In the R-1 and R-2 districts, the code is explicit, and it also requires all other parking/loading to be on-lot and off the street (§ 17.16.070; § 17.18.080) .

What are the parking ratios for a small retail shop or office?

Commercial uses follow the countywide General Provisions. Typical ratios are 1 space per 300 sf for retail and professional offices (§ 17.08.080, table). Check your district (e.g., C-1, C-2) to confirm it points to the General Provisions (§ 17.24.070; § 17.26.070) .

Can I count parking spaces on a nearby parcel toward my requirement?

Yes—if they’re within 300 feet and you record a covenant tying the spaces to your use. See “Parking Space Perpetuation” in § 17.08.080(6) .

How many compact parking stalls can I use?

Compact stalls are capped by lot size (from 0% up to 40% of total spaces). See the compact stall allowance table in § 17.08.080(7) .

What are the R-4 district parking and loading rules for a clinic or office building?

For nonresidential uses in R-4, provide at least as much off-street parking area as your building floor area (1:1 by square foot) and one loading space per nonresidential use (§ 17.22.090(B); § 17.22.100) .

Do multifamily or boarding houses need more parking?

In R-3, it’s 1 space per dwelling unit, plus 1 space per 2 guestrooms for boarding/lodging houses (§ 17.20.090) . In R-4, residential uses follow R-3 (§ 17.22.090(A)) .

Are there local bicycle parking requirements?

Not found in retrieved materials. Bicycle parking is typically handled under the state building code, not zoning; verify with the county. The local General Provisions retrieved did not include bicycle parking (§ 17.08.080) .

I see references to § 17.08.090 in the code—what does that mean for my project?

Those are legacy cross-references. The operative countywide parking standards are now codified at § 17.08.080 per the editor’s note within that section (§ 17.08.080; § 17.24.070) .

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