Consolidated Statements of Changed in Equity and Noncontrolling Interests - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Total Tejon Ranch Co.'s Stockholders Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			20,563,023
Beginning Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 320,187	$ 280,582	$ 10,282	$ 210,848	$ (3,333)	$ 62,785	$ 39,605
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	5,762	5,655				5,655	107
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,555)	(3,555)			(3,555)
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)			94,014
Restricted stock issuance	0	0	$ 47	(47)
Stock compensation	2,564	2,564		2,564
Shares withheld for taxes and tax benefit of vested shares (in shares)			(20,559)
Shares withheld for taxes and tax benefit of vested shares	(625)	(625)	$ (11)	(603)	(11)
Warrants exercised				1		(1)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			20,636,478
Ending Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2014	324,333	284,621	$ 10,318	212,763	(6,899)	68,439	39,712
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	1,167	1,235				1,235	(68)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,036)	(1,036)			(1,036)
Restricted stock issuance (in shares)			54,783
Restricted stock issuance	0	0	$ 28	(28)
Stock compensation	3,035	3,035		3,035
Shares withheld for taxes and tax benefit of vested shares (in shares)			(21,913)
Shares withheld for taxes and tax benefit of vested shares	(529)	(529)	$ (11)	(518)
Modified share-based awards	1,065	1,065		1,065
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2015			20,669,348
Ending Balance, value at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 328,035	$ 288,391	$ 10,335	$ 216,317	$ (7,935)	$ 69,674	$ 39,644