River Ranch Neighborhood Association Sues Redding and Shasta County Over Proposed Custody Campus

Homeowners near the River Ranch community have filed a lawsuit against the City of Redding and Shasta County, challenging the approval of a land lease for a proposed alternative custody campus that could eventually include a large new jail.

The River Ranch Neighborhood Association filed the lawsuit on February 27, 2026, in Shasta County Superior Court. The suit claims the City of Redding improperly bypassed required environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) when it approved a 30-year rent-free lease of approximately 90 acres on Eastside Road to Shasta County.

Residents argue that the city wrongly used a categorical exemption for the lease instead of preparing a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR). They contend the project — located just north of River Ranch homes — could significantly affect sensitive wildlife habitat, groundwater, traffic, safety, noise, and property values. Many homeowners say they were not properly notified about the full scope of the plans and purchased their homes expecting the adjacent land to remain industrial or undeveloped.

Background of the Project

The original public discussions in 2025 focused on expanding Shasta County’s Alternative Custody Program (ACP) — a rehabilitation-focused facility for lower-level, non-violent offenders involving work programs, vocational training, and reentry support. County officials later expanded the concept into a broader “Corrections and Rehabilitation Campus” that could include a 100-bed reentry program, alternative custody facilities, and potentially a 1,200-bed county jail.

The City Council approved the lease unanimously in September 2025. The county is now seeking to rezone the property from heavy industrial to public facilities use.

Upcoming Court Hearing

The first judicial review hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Department 64 of the Shasta County Superior Court. The neighborhood association is asking the court to vacate the lease approval and require the city and county to complete a full CEQA environmental review before any further project development.

Attorneys for the River Ranch Neighborhood Association, from the Aqua Terra Aeris Law Group, argue the piecemeal approval process violated state law because the ultimate use of the land for correctional facilities triggers environmental review requirements.

City and county officials have maintained that proper procedures were followed and that a full environmental review will be conducted before any construction begins. The project remains on hold pending the court’s decision.

A buck on the land proposed for the new jail.

Bald Eagles on the land proposed for the new jail

Wild turkeys and deer on the land adjacent to the River Ranch neighborhood

This case highlights ongoing tensions between the need for expanded jail and rehabilitation capacity in Shasta County and concerns from nearby residents about transparency, notification, and potential impacts on their quality of life.

Shasta Unfiltered will continue to follow the April 27 hearing and any developments in this lawsuit.