Environmental Rules in Butte County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Butte County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Chapter 50 of the Butte County Code bans any 'illicit discharge' of non-stormwater materials into the County storm drain system, natural surface waters, or watercourses in the unincorporated Small MS4 permit area (Section 50-11). A narrow list of exemptions covers things like residential car washing and dechlorinated pool water (Section 50-12), but liability for a prohibited discharge is strict, no negligence or intent required (Section 50-16).
Butte County Stormwater Discharge Prohibition Rules
Significant RestrictionsButte County Code of Ordinances § 50-11
Except as provided in Section 50-12, it shall be unlawful for any person to make or cause to be made an illicit discharge of any materials, including, but not limited to, pollutants or waters containing any pollutants, other than stormwater into the County storm drain system, natural surface waters, or watercourses.
Erosion Control
Grading more than fifty cubic yards anywhere in unincorporated Butte County requires a grading permit and an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan under Code Chapter 13. The plan must detail Best Management Practices for the site, and the county caps cut and fill slopes and sets minimum setbacks tied to slope height.
Butte County Grading Erosion Control Rules
Some RestrictionsButte County Code of Ordinances §§ 13-2, 13-3, 13-10
"Grading" means any earth movement, including excavation and filling, or any combination thereof. ... Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to commence or perform any grading of more than fifty (50) cubic yards without first having complied with the conditions and requirements of this article. ... The erosion and sediment control plan shall conform to the stan...
Flood Zones
Butte County's Chapter 26, Article IV (Flood Hazard Prevention) requires a development permit before building in mapped Zones A, AE, AH, and AO, and adds review for the county's two-hundred-year floodplain. New residential structures in Zones AE and AH must be elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, and the county caps any flood-elevation rise from new development at one foot at any point.
Butte County Floodplain Building Rules
Significant RestrictionsButte County Code of Ordinances § 26-24(b)(1)(a) (Flood Hazard Prevention - Criteria for Evaluation); § 26-23(a)(3)
The lowest floor elevation of new residential structures and substantial improvements to residential structures shall be elevated a minimum of one (1) foot or more above the BFE. ... The county will not allow development to increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one (1) foot at any point, nor will it allow any increase in the base flood elevation which adversely affect...
Defensible Space
Butte County Code Section 38A-6 requires every parcel in the unincorporated area to maintain three defensible space zones around buildings: Zone 0 from 0 to 5 feet, Zone 1 from 5 to 30 feet, and Zone 2 from 30 to 100 feet, each with its own vegetation and clearance standards. A building within 100 feet of a neighboring parcel must be protected by the full 100 feet of defensible space regardless of property lines.
Butte County Defensible Space Zone Rules
Some RestrictionsButte County Code of Ordinances § 38A-6
(a)Any person that owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains any parcel within the unincorporated area of the County shall satisfy the following requirements:...(2)Establish and maintain a firebreak within Zone 1 by adhering to the following requirements:a.Remove the portion of any tree or shrub which extends within ten (10) feet of the outlet of any chimney or stovepipe; andb.Remove all d...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
In the Unique Agriculture (-UA) overlay zone that supports Butte County's farm-tour and agritourism operations, Butte County Code of Ordinances Section 24-45(D)(5) bars tour buses and vans from idling on-site for more than ten minutes per hour, requiring adequate off-street parking and turn-around space to cut noise and air quality impacts on the surrounding farmland.
Butte County Farm Overlay Tour Bus Idling Cap
Light RestrictionsButte County Code of Ordinances § 24-45(D)(5)
5.Tour Buses and Vans. Tour buses and vans shall not idle more than ten (10) minutes per hour on-site within the -UA overlay zone, so as to minimize noise and air quality impacts to the area. Buses and tour vans shall be provided with adequate off-street parking and turn-around areas.
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Butte County's mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zones AE and AH), new residential structures and substantial improvements to residential structures must set the lowest floor at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation. Nonresidential buildings can meet the same elevation or be floodproofed instead. Development Services enforces the standard through building permit review and FEMA elevation certificates.
Butte County Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsButte County Code of Ordinances § 26-24(b)(1)a
Require, within areas designated as Zones AE and AH on the official map, that the following standards are met: a. The lowest floor elevation of new residential structures and substantial improvements to residential structures shall be elevated a minimum of one (1) foot or more above the BFE.
Environmental Rules by City in Butte County
1 cities in Butte County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Butte County ordinances
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