SeeCalifornia.com

While many Californians haven’t visited a beach, it’s also amazing that the northern portions of the state are barely known to millions of state residents. With around 2 people per square mile in Modoc County and 7 in Siskiyou County (compared to 12,000-15,000 people per square mile in L.A. and Orange County,) it’s no wonder locals of California’s Shasta Cascade region cherish open space!

Siskiyou County Code of the West

A primer for newcomer urbanites, not to dissuade, but only inform about the realities of north country living:

• Land often serves an economic purpose for the livelihood of year-round residents. Newcomers should not be appalled when farming activity occurs and shouldn’t expect county government to protect you from neighbors creating noise, odors, dust and landscape changes.
• Open Range Law: If you do not want cattle, sheep or other livestock on your property, it is your responsibility to fence them out, not the responsibility of the rancher to keep livestock off your property.
• Given the reality of the rural setting, “buyer beware” takes on a whole new meaning.
• Urbanites expect whatever they flush to go away. Locals expect the flush to end up underground in the back yard.
• Hauling your trash and recyclables to the County transfer station or dump is your responsibility.
• A poodle on a deck is “meatloaf with fur” to wildlife looking for a meal. Keep domestic pets confined and protected.
• If your well runs dry, you will need to make provisions.
• Emergency service volunteers often must close their business or drop off  kids to respond to your emergency call. Response times vary with the season and are much longer than in a city.