Tehama · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Tehama

Tehama limits fence height by yard, with lower fences in front yard setbacks than in side and rear yards. A fence over the general limit needs a use permit from the city council.

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Key points

Front fences: City rule: fences in front yard setbacks are limited to 4 feet, unless the material does not block vision.
Side and rear: City rule: fences in side and rear yards, and in the rest of the front yard setback, are limited to 6 feet.
Taller fences: City rule: a fence over 6 feet needs a use permit from the city council because of unusual circumstances.

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

Fences and walls

Tehama code What Tehama's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	At most 6 feet. Applies: Any fence; a taller fence needs a use permit from the city council because of unusual circumstances. § 17.20.010 · code text No fence shall exceed six feet in height unless the council grants a use permit because of unusual circumstances.
Front yard height	At most 4 feet. Applies: Front yard setback, in front of the house; does not apply to a fence of a material that does not block vision. § 17.20.010 · code text Fences may not exceed four feet in front yard setbacks unless constructed of a material that does not block vision.
Side and rear yard height	At most 6 feet. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 17.20.010 · code text Fences in side and rear yards may not exceed six feet in height. At most 6 feet. Applies: The rest of the front yard setback, which is treated as a side yard. § 17.20.010 · code text The remainder of the front yard set backs shall be treated as side yards with fences not to exceed six feet.
Permit	A use permit from the council is required for a fence over 6 feet or other exceptions. Applies: Fences over 6 feet high, or exceptions to the fence rules. § 17.20.010 · code text No fence shall exceed six feet in height unless the council grants a use permit because of unusual circumstances.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Tehama code What Tehama's code adds
Solar height and setbacks	Must not exceed the zoning district's maximum height. Applies: Applies to solar panels. § 17.84.040 · code text Solar panels shall comply with the maximum permitted height of the zoning district. Must meet the zone district's required setbacks. Applies: Applies to small solar systems, dual-purpose solar systems, and solar power facilities. § 17.84.060 · code text Small solar energy systems, dual purpose solar systems, and solar power facilities must meet the required setbacks established by the zone district.

Swimming pools

Tehama code What Tehama's code adds
Equipment and alarms	A recirculating system with an approved filter is required; the makeup water line needs an approved air gap. Applies: Applies to pools or fish ponds over 2,000 gallons using city water. § 13.04.500 · code text All swimming or wading pools or fish ponds above two thousand gallons in capacity, using water from the city water system, shall be provided with recirculating systems equipped with an approved filter. The make up supply line shall be equipped with an approved air gap.
Permit	A plumbing permit is required; the pool's water supply and drainage piping plan must be approved first. Applies: Applies to installing a swimming pool. § 13.04.490 · code text Prior to the issuance of a plumbing permit for the installation of a swimming pool, a plan showing the water supply and drainage piping of the swimming pool shall be submitted for approval by the department of planning and building.

Pets, chickens and bees

Tehama code What Tehama's code adds
Chickens	Only with a permit from the city council. Applies: Applies to keeping, maintaining or feeding poultry in the city. § 6.08.050 · code text Before any person may keep, maintain or feed poultry or other animals, other than cats or dogs, within the city, there shall be presented to the city council written application for a permit to do so.
Permit	A written permit application to the city council is required. Applies: Applies to keeping, maintaining or feeding poultry or other animals, other than cats or dogs, in the city. § 6.08.050 · code text Before any person may keep, maintain or feed poultry or other animals, other than cats or dogs, within the city, there shall be presented to the city council written application for a permit to do so.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Tehama?

City rule: fences in front yard setbacks are limited to 4 feet, unless the material does not block vision. City rule: fences in side and rear yards, and in the rest of the front yard setback, are limited to 6 feet. City rule: a fence over 6 feet needs a use permit from the city council because of unusual circumstances.

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

Tehama's code: Must not exceed the zoning district's maximum height. (Applies to solar panels.) (§ 17.84.040); Must meet the zone district's required setbacks. (Applies to small solar systems, dual-purpose solar systems, and solar power facilities.) (§ 17.84.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Tehama?

Tehama's code: A recirculating system with an approved filter is required; the makeup water line needs an approved air gap. (Applies to pools or fish ponds over 2,000 gallons using city water.) (§ 13.04.500); A plumbing permit is required; the pool's water supply and drainage piping plan must be approved first. (Applies to installing a swimming pool.) (§ 13.04.490).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Tehama?

Tehama's code: Only with a permit from the city council. (Applies to keeping, maintaining or feeding poultry in the city.) (§ 6.08.050); A written permit application to the city council is required. (Applies to keeping, maintaining or feeding poultry or other animals, other than cats or dogs, in the city.) (§ 6.08.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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