Zoning Ordinance

The purpose of zoning is to specify allowed uses on parcels, development standards and to implement the policies of the General Plan. Various land uses are grouped into general categories or "zones" such as agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, etc. Each piece of property in the County is assigned a zone, or combination of "base" and "overlay" zones, listing the kinds of uses that will be allowed on that land and setting standards such as minimum lot size, maximum building height, and minimum front yard depth.

Butte County Zoning Ordinance

  • This link provides the County's Zoning Ordinance.

Butte County Zoning Map

To access parcel-specific information within a zone, please refer to the County's Parcel Lookup Tool. Explanations of the purpose of each zoning designation, allowed uses and development standards can be found in the Zoning Ordinance itself.

Overlay Zones

These links (below) provide access to PDF maps showing overlay zones in the unincorporated portion of Butte County. Overlay zones establish standards and regulations that apply to specified areas in addition to the requirements established by the underlying "base" zone. Explanations of the purpose of each zoning designation, allowed uses and development standards can be found in the Zoning Ordinance itself. To access overlay information for specific parcels, please refer to the County's Parcel Lookup Tool.

Agricultural Buffer Guidelines

The agricultural buffer guidelines are intended to help implement the 300-foot (300') buffer between residential dwellings and agricultural uses as required by Butte County Code (BCC) Article 17 (§ 24-83) and to provide guidance relative to requests for the determination of unusual circumstances pursuant to BCC Article 17 (§ 24-84). The Planning Division and Agricultural Commissioner review the proposed residential site plan for conformance with the 300' buffer requirement and assess whether a determination of Unusual Circumstances can be supported. If approved, requests for determination of unusual circumstances allow modification of the 300' agricultural buffer requirement. Requests for unusual circumstances are applicable only to non-discretionary actions, such as building and administrative permits.

Need Help? The Permit Center Planner at the Development Services Department can identify zones and answer questions on the Zoning Ordinance.