Lost a loved one?
Probate Law Group
Verified Florida partner for probate and estate matters.
(813) 600-9717
- 65K Residents
Tehama County
Tehama County
Tehama County is a Northern Sacramento Valley county anchored by Red Bluff (county seat) and Corning. Olives, almonds, walnuts, ranching, and small-city residential drive the economy. The 2018 Camp Fire and 2020 August Complex impacted parcels in or adjacent to the county. Distressed volume is moderate.
Property in Tehama
What every owner, heir, and investor should know.
Owning a home in Tehama.
Tehama homeowners face California's standard rules with ag and wildfire overlays.
- Property taxes are paid in two installments due November 1 and February 1; delinquencies run after December 10 and April 10.
- Proposition 13 caps annual assessed-value growth at 2% absent a change of ownership or new construction.
- The Homeowners' Exemption reduces assessed value by $7,000 for an owner-occupied principal residence; file with the Tehama County Assessor.
- Williamson Act contracts can lower assessed value on qualifying ag land.
- Wildfire risk is significant in the foothills and along the I-5 corridor; FAIR Plan use is common.
- Power to Sell triggers after five years of delinquency.
- Excess proceeds claims must be filed under R&TC §4675 within one year of the tax deed recording.
Investing in Tehama.
Tehama offers a steady mix of small-city residential and ag parcels at affordable price points.
- Tax-defaulted property auctions are conducted by the Tehama County Treasurer-Tax Collector, typically online via Bid4Assets.
- The Tehama County Clerk-Recorder is the source for deeds, deeds of trust, liens, water-related instruments, and reconveyances.
- The Tehama County Assessor handles parcel data, assessed values, and Williamson Act status.
- Trustee sale notices appear in the Red Bluff Daily News.
- Diligence focus: wildfire history, water rights, irrigation district assessments, ag liens, defensible space, and septic/well in unincorporated areas.
After a Tehama foreclosure or tax deed sale.
In Tehama, distressed property resolves through California's nonjudicial trustee sale process or the county tax-defaulted property sale program.
- Tax-defaulted property sales are conducted by the Tehama County Tax Collector under R&TC Part 6.
- Owners may redeem before the sale by paying all defaulted taxes, penalties, fees, and costs.
- Excess proceeds may be claimed within one year of the tax deed recording.
- Trustee sale surplus is distributed under Civil Code §2924k.
- Fire-cleanup liens, FEMA recoupment, federal liens, IRS liens, and HOA dues may survive a tax sale.
- Bankruptcy filings stay sales; check PACER and the Recorder before any auction.
Courts and records in Tehama.
- Superior Court of California, County of Tehama — Red Bluff Courthouse, 633 Washington St, Red Bluff, CA 96080. Civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, traffic, and small claims.
- Superior Court of California, County of Tehama — Corning Branch (limited services), 720 Hoag St, Corning, CA 96021.
- Court of Appeal — Third Appellate District (Sacramento) hears Tehama appeals.
- Tehama County Clerk-Recorder — 633 Washington St, Room 11, Red Bluff, CA 96080.
- Tehama County Assessor — 444 Oak St, Room B, Red Bluff, CA 96080.
- Tehama County Treasurer-Tax Collector — 444 Oak St, Room C, Red Bluff, CA 96080.