Local zoning · Tehama

Tehama — Historic Preservation

Q: Do I need a historic‑resource clearance before altering a house in Tehama?

Tehama’s code defines historic structure/sites in § 17.04.050 , but Title 17 as retrieved does not show a formal local clearance or landmark‑designation procedure. You should check whether the property is listed on the California or National register (that triggers state/federal review) and confirm with the city planner whether a municipal historic‑resource review or demolition permit is required (the ordinance text for a local designation procedure was Not found in retrieved materials) .

Q: What are the basic setback and coverage rules that affect historic house additions in Tehama?

For single‑family homes in the Residential (R) district the key standards include maximum main building coverage 35% , minimum front yard 15 ft , rear yard 20 ft , side yards totaling 20% of lot width (no side < 6 ft ) and height generally limited to two stories; multi‑family standards differ — see § 17.12.050 .

Q: Is there a local Tehama process to designate landmarks or a local register?

Not found in the retrieved Title 17 materials: there is a definition that mentions "local register," but no text in the supplied Title 17 that establishes a landmark designation process, criteria, or a historic preservation commission. Verify with the city clerk/planning department for any separate historic ordinance or administrative rules (the code is silent on this procedure) .

Q: Do historic properties get special protection from wind‑energy projects in Tehama?

Yes — the wind energy chapter specifically prohibits wind energy systems within 1,000 ft of a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources; that standard is in § 17.83.070 and would block siting of wind towers near listed historic properties .

Q: Will I need design review for alterations to a historic building in Tehama?

Title 17 as retrieved does not include a citywide design‑review procedure tied to historic resources. There is a requirement that ADUs in historic districts follow design/development guidelines ( § 17.60.080 ), but a broader design‑review board or procedure is Not found in the provided materials. Verify whether the city has an administrative design review step or separate ordinance (Not found in retrieved materials) .

Q: What permits / hearings are required for work that might affect a historic property?

Discretionary permits (use permits, variances) require application, public hearing and written findings per the use permits chapter ( § 17.28.010–.060 ). If your project triggers a use permit or variance, plan on preparing findings and attending the required public hearing(s) — see § 17.28.010 and related subsections .

Q: Are there limits on ADU size or placement for historic properties?

ADU unit‑size and placement rules are in Chapter 17.60; the code allows an ADU up to 800–1,000 sq ft depending on type and imposes parcel coverage, foundation and design compatibility rules; and, when in a historic district overlay, the ADU must meet overlay guidelines ( § 17.60.080 ). Always reconcile local ADU rules with state ADU law where state law preempts local standards on ministerial ADUs .

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what Tehama’s Title 17 zoning ordinance actually says about historic resources and where those resources affect planning decisions (not building-code rules). It identifies the code’s definition of historic structure/sites, the limited protections or special rules that mention historic resources (for example energy and ADU rules), and where the code is silent so you must "Verify with the jurisdiction." See the city's Tehama Zoning materials for district maps and use the links below where the code refers to development rules like setbacks and development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code where the zoning requires compliance. The Tehama zoning text does not establish a full local landmark/commission process in the retrieved materials — where the code is silent, verify with the city.

What the ordinance actually contains (Tehama-specific)

The ordinance defines historic structure/sites and ties the term to state and local registers and a 50‑year threshold: § 17.04.050 .
There is no dedicated “historic preservation” chapter or local landmark designation procedure in the retrieved Title 17 text. Searchable cross-references to historic resources are done where an individual rule needs to avoid impacts (examples below). Not found in retrieved materials: a local landmarks register, designation criteria, demolition‑delay ordinance, or local historic preservation commission.

Below is a district-by-district breakdown showing where historic rules (if any) attach and the basic zoning standards that most affect historic properties.

Residential (R)

Purpose: The Residential (R) district covers all platted lots/blocks and implements the residential general plan land use (purpose statement) — § 17.12.010 and § 17.08.010 .
Typical permitted uses: one‑ and two‑story single‑family dwellings, multifamily housing, ADUs/JADUs, community care facilities and supportive housing — § 17.12.030 .
Key dimensional standards (decision‑relevant): single‑family maximum main building coverage 35%, minimum front yard 15 ft, minimum rear yard 20 ft, minimum side yards totaling 20% of lot width (no side less than 6 ft) and maximum height two stories; multifamily coverage 65%, height up to 35 ft for some multi‑family — § 17.12.050 .
Where it applies: all platted lots; ADUs are allowed when in compliance with Chapter 17.60 — see § 17.12.030(H) and § 17.12.050 .
Historic interaction: ADU design in residential areas must be architecturally compatible and, when in a historic district or a "historic district overlay zone," ADU design must comply with applicable design and development guidelines — § 17.60.080 (Design standards) .

Open‑Space (OS)

Purpose: Open‑Space land is reserved for parks, river access, wildlife preservation and scenic beauty; improvements in OS require referral to the planning commission to ensure conformity with the open‑space plan — § 17.16.010 and § 17.08.020 .
Typical permitted uses: parks, river bank access, scenic beauty, limited agriculture/food production — § 17.16.010 .
Key dimensional/development controls: improvements subject to planning commission review and city council findings that the project conforms to the open‑space plan — § 17.16.010(B) .
Historic interaction: the code does not set specific historic design rules for OS; verify with the jurisdiction for any historic easements or conservation overlays. Not found in retrieved materials: OS‑specific historic overlay procedures.

Business Overlay

Purpose: The Business Overlay authorizes a set of commercial/business uses within otherwise residential areas at the discretion of the city administrator or via permits — see the Business Overlay uses and development standards cross‑reference to underlying zones — § 17.14 .
Typical permitted uses: Banks, office, retail, restaurants, hotels/motels, equipment sales, and all uses permitted in the residential district — § 17.14 .
Key standard: Division/re‑subdivision of lots in business overlay limited (no new lot smaller than 12,800 sq ft) and overlay development follows the underlying zone development standards — § 17.14.050 and § 17.14.070 .
Historic interaction: No separate historic preservation process in the overlay text; development must still comply with any design guidelines where an overlay includes them (no historic‑overlay-specific procedures found in retrieved materials). Not found in retrieved materials: a business‑overlay historic review pathway.

Decision‑relevant code table

Topic / Rule	What it means for historic properties	Code reference
Definition of historic resource	Tehama defines historic structure/sites (50+ years, state/local/eligible) — this is the operable definition used elsewhere in the code	§ 17.04.050
ADU design in historic areas	ADUs must be architecturally compatible and, in any "historic district zone or historic district overlay zone," conform to applicable design/development guidelines	§ 17.60.080 (Design)
Residential development standards	Key dimensions that affect historic rehabilitation / additions: 35% coverage (sf), 15 ft front setback, 20 ft rear, side yards total 20% (min 6 ft)	§ 17.12.050
Zoning districts (base)	All platted lots designated Residential; remaining unplatted land Open‑Space	§ 17.08.010
Wind / energy exclusions near historic places	Wind energy systems are prohibited within 1,000 ft of a property listed on the National Register or the California Register	§ 17.83.070
Use permits & variances	Discretionary uses, variances and findings procedures (hearing, findings, revocation) apply where a use permit is required	§ 17.28.010–.060

Checklist — what an applicant working on a historic property must satisfy (practical)

Confirm whether the property is a historic structure/site under § 17.04.050 and whether it is listed on or eligible for the California Register or National Register (definition: § 17.04.050) .
If proposing an ADU, design drawings must show architectural compatibility; if the lot is in a historic district overlay, the ADU must meet the overlay’s design/development guidelines per § 17.60.080 . (See ADUs.)
Confirm whether your proposal requires a use permit (for conditional uses or overlays) and prepare findings and hearing materials per § 17.28.010–.060 . (See Tehama Variances and Exceptions.)
Check underlying zone development standards (setbacks, coverage, height) — e.g., residential standards in § 17.12.050 — and dimension proposals accordingly (see setbacks & development standards) .
If project involves equipment such as a wind tower or similar, verify the 1,000 ft buffer from registered historic properties per § 17.83.070 .
Where the local code is silent (no local landmark designation process found), check with the city planner about demolition review, local register status, and any design guidelines to apply. Not found in retrieved materials: demolition‑delay or local landmark process (Verify with the jurisdiction).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
No local landmark designation procedure found	If the city has no ordinance to designate local landmarks, there may be no formal local protection or hearing path in Title 17	Verify with the city clerk/planning department; the code definition references "local register" but the procedure is Not found in retrieved materials (§ 17.04.050)
No demolition‑delay or local‑designation rules in Title 17	Demolition of historic buildings might be managed outside zoning (e.g., building or separate municipal code)	Ask whether Tehama has a separate historic preservation ordinance or administrative policy (Not found in retrieved materials)
Unclear design‑guideline source for "historic district overlay"	ADU design rule refers to "design and development guidelines" but the code does not publish those guidelines here	If your parcel is in a "historic district overlay zone," request the overlay text/guidelines from the planning department — see § 17.60.080
Design review process not present in Title 17 excerpts	The code includes no clear, citywide design‑review board or step tied specifically to historic properties in the retrieved materials	Verify whether design review exists administratively or under a separate ordinance (Not found in retrieved materials)
State vs. local rules for ADUs and historic resources	State ADU law allows objective historic‑resource protections; local ordinance must implement objective standards without unreasonably restricting ADUs	Follow § 17.60.080 for ADU design compatibility and verify any additional objective standards the city applies; reconcile with state ADU law where necessary

Plain‑English summary

Tehama’s Title 17 defines what a historic resource is and references historic resources in a few specific rules (for example ADU design compatibility and a 1,000‑foot wind‑turbine buffer), but it does not contain a full local landmark/commission process or demolition‑delay rules in the retrieved sections — where the Title 17 text is silent, contact the city to confirm whether separate historic rules or design guidelines exist. Key sections to read are § 17.04.050, § 17.12.050, § 17.60.080, and § 17.83.070.

Source References

§ 17.04.050 — Definitions, including "Historic structure/sites."
§ 17.08.010 — Zoning districts—area established (all platted land = Residential, other = Open‑Space).
§ 17.12.010; § 17.12.030; § 17.12.050 — Residential district purpose, permitted uses, and development standards (coverage, setbacks, heights).
§ 17.14 — Business overlay uses and development cross‑reference to underlying zone standards.
§ 17.16.010 — Open‑space district permitted uses and referral to planning commission.
§ 17.28.010–.060 — Use permits, public hearing and findings (discretionary entitlements).
§ 17.60.070; § 17.60.080; § 17.60.090 — ADU standards (compatibility, design in historic districts, size, coverage, foundation, other ADU rules).
§ 17.83.070 — Wind energy systems: 1,000 ft setback from properties listed on the National Register or California Register.

If you want the precise printed export of Title 17 (the ordinance text we used), request the Tehama Title 17 print/export (the local code file is the source for the citations above).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Tehama Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance
CPC § 300 High relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance
CGBSC § A5.103 (SECTION A5.103) High relevance
CGBSC § A5.104 (SECTION A5.104) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (§ 65915) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (Chapter 8.08) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (Section 17.12.030) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (Section 17958.1) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (section is) Medium relevance
CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (section is) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (§ 66317) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code Medium relevance
CBC § 198 (Chapter 17.16) Medium relevance
Tehama Zoning Code (§ 66314) Medium relevance
CBC § 65852.26 (chapter shall) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Tehama code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a historic‑resource clearance before altering a house in Tehama?

Tehama’s code defines historic structure/sites in § 17.04.050, but Title 17 as retrieved does not show a formal local clearance or landmark‑designation procedure. You should check whether the property is listed on the California or National register (that triggers state/federal review) and confirm with the city planner whether a municipal historic‑resource review or demolition permit is required (the ordinance text for a local designation procedure was Not found in retrieved materials) .

Can I build an ADU on a property that’s in a historic district in Tehama?

Yes — Title 17 allows ADUs and requires ADUs to be architecturally compatible; specifically, where a property is in a "historic district zone or historic district overlay zone" the ADU design must follow the applicable design and development guidelines per § 17.60.080. You must still meet local ADU standards (size, setbacks, foundation) in Chapter 17.60 and state ADU law as applicable .

What are the basic setback and coverage rules that affect historic house additions in Tehama?

For single‑family homes in the Residential (R) district the key standards include maximum main building coverage 35%, minimum front yard 15 ft, rear yard 20 ft, side yards totaling 20% of lot width (no side < 6 ft) and height generally limited to two stories; multi‑family standards differ — see § 17.12.050 .

Is there a local Tehama process to designate landmarks or a local register?

Not found in the retrieved Title 17 materials: there is a definition that mentions "local register," but no text in the supplied Title 17 that establishes a landmark designation process, criteria, or a historic preservation commission. Verify with the city clerk/planning department for any separate historic ordinance or administrative rules (the code is silent on this procedure) .

Do historic properties get special protection from wind‑energy projects in Tehama?

Yes — the wind energy chapter specifically prohibits wind energy systems within 1,000 ft of a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places or the California Register of Historical Resources; that standard is in § 17.83.070 and would block siting of wind towers near listed historic properties .

Will I need design review for alterations to a historic building in Tehama?

Title 17 as retrieved does not include a citywide design‑review procedure tied to historic resources. There is a requirement that ADUs in historic districts follow design/development guidelines (§ 17.60.080), but a broader design‑review board or procedure is Not found in the provided materials. Verify whether the city has an administrative design review step or separate ordinance (Not found in retrieved materials) .

What permits / hearings are required for work that might affect a historic property?

Discretionary permits (use permits, variances) require application, public hearing and written findings per the use permits chapter (§ 17.28.010–.060). If your project triggers a use permit or variance, plan on preparing findings and attending the required public hearing(s) — see § 17.28.010 and related subsections .

Are there limits on ADU size or placement for historic properties?

ADU unit‑size and placement rules are in Chapter 17.60; the code allows an ADU up to 800–1,000 sq ft depending on type and imposes parcel coverage, foundation and design compatibility rules; and, when in a historic district overlay, the ADU must meet overlay guidelines (§ 17.60.080). Always reconcile local ADU rules with state ADU law where state law preempts local standards on ministerial ADUs .

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