3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Butte County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Butte County permits accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior ADUs in unincorporated areas served by municipal water and sewer, with ministerial approval, 4-foot side/rear setbacks, and size caps of 500 sq ft (JADU) or 1,200 sq ft (detached ADU); short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited.
Butte County Code section 24-172 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units), subsections A, B, C, E, and H
A. Purpose. The unincorporated area of Butte County is predominantly rural and includes large areas of actively farmed agricultural land, as well as timber producing land. Only very limited areas adjacent to the City of Oroville are served by water and sewer service providers. Butte County allows second units in most zones that allow residences (see Section 24-172.2). This section establishes s...
One-story detached sheds under 120 sq ft do not require a Butte County building permit, but they must meet zoning setbacks; any electrical, plumbing, or gas utilities serving the shed do require permits.
Butte County Department of Development Services Form DBP-20 (Revised 2/18/26); Butte County Code section 26-3.1 and California Building Code section 105.2
WORK EXEMPT FROM BUILDING PERMITS. Butte County Code, Section 26-3.1 and California Building Code Section 105.2. Exemptions from permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of current code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Building permits shall not be required for the following: Building...
Butte County allows conversion of an existing garage or accessory structure into an ADU with no required setback and no replacement parking, provided the parcel is within a water and sewer service area and the conversion meets building code.
Butte County Code section 24-172(H)(1)(a) and section 24-172(H)(3)(c) (Setbacks and Parking for Accessory Dwelling Units)
H. Development Standards. 1. Setbacks. The following setbacks are applicable for all accessory dwelling units: a. An existing structure may be converted into an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit without a setback. If the existing structure requires an expansion of 150 square feet or less to accommodate an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit, the set...
1 cities in Butte County have their own accessory structures rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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