Butte County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Butte County
In unincorporated Butte County, the county code limits accessory structures in urban zones and sets limits and permits for home businesses. It also has a chapter on walls and fences.
Key points
- Accessory structures: County code: in urban zones, structures accessory to a single-family home have a 25-foot limit and may cover at most 25% of the parcel.
- Home businesses: County code: home businesses may use at most 25% of floor area; minor ones allow 6 clients a day, major ones 12.
- Fences: Butte County regulates walls and fences in Chapter 24, Division 3 of its code.
Each rule below is marked Butte County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Butte County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Butte County have their own codes and their own pages.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Size or lot coverage |
|
Running a business from home
Butte County code County code: home businesses may use at most 25% of floor area; minor ones allow 6 clients a day, major ones 12.
All 10 Butte County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Butte County code Approved administratively when the Building Official finds the application meets the checklist; apply in person, by mail or electronically. A building permit is required to install an electric vehicle charging station.
All 4 Butte County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
Butte County code The maximum noise level is 70 dBA. The maximum noise level is 60 dBA.
All 9 Butte County rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
|
|---|
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Parking spaces required for homes
Butte County code 2 spaces per dwelling. 1 space per dwelling.
All 5 Butte County rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Butte County code A service fee applies to every false alarm, set in the Butte County Master Fee Schedule. A permit is required. The nonrefundable fee is in the Butte County Master Fee Schedule.
All 4 Butte County rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Butte County code Install no earlier than 90 days before the election. Remove within 7 days after. None in the public right-of-way. Real estate signs that meet the temporary sign standards need no Administrative Permit.
All 5 Butte County rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
|
|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
|
Other Butte County rules on this
Butte County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Walls and fences (Ch. 24, Div. 3)
- Keeping livestock and other animals (§ 24-158)
- Grading permit and erosion control (Ch. 13, Art. I)
- Erosion control during construction (§ 24-145) — urban zones only
- Library facilities impact fee for new homes (Ch. 3, Art. XVIII)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Butte County?
Butte County regulates walls and fences in Chapter 24, Division 3 of its code. Butte County also has a related rule: Walls and fences (Ch. 24, Div. 3).
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Butte County?
County code: in urban zones, structures accessory to a single-family home have a 25-foot limit and may cover at most 25% of the parcel.
What are the rules for building in a Butte County flood zone?
Butte County's code: New buildings, major improvements and other development, including manufactured and prefabricated homes, need development permits. (Flood hazard Zones A, AE, AH and AO.) (§ 26-22); Extra rules apply before the County approves a permit for a new home or other development in this floodplain. (The 200-year floodplain on the official maps; the floodplain administrator must make findings first.) (§ 26-22).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Butte County?
Butte County's code: Outdoor lights must not shine directly past the property line. (§ 24-67).
Can I run a family child care home in Butte County?
California law sets this for every city, including Butte County: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Butte County?
Butte County's code: Containers may not remain at the collection location more than 24 hours after collection. (§ 31-50.1); Do not set containers out more than 12 hours before the scheduled collection day. (Within 5 feet of service roads, or along non-service roads.) (§ 31-50.1).
General information, not legal advice.
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