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Outdoor Lighting in Butte County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Butte County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Butte County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dark Sky Rules

Within the Butte Creek Canyon (-BCC) overlay zone, Butte County Code of Ordinances Section 24-34.1(D)(7)(b) goes beyond the countywide outdoor lighting article by requiring full cut-off fixtures aimed at buildings and activity areas, specifically shielding off-site land and the night sky from spillover light.

Butte Creek Canyon Full Cut-Off Lighting Rule

Some Restrictions

Butte County Code of Ordinances § 24-34.1(D)(7)(b)

7.Outdoor Lighting:a.All outdoor lighting shall be regulated using the same standards as set forth under Butte County Code Chapter 24, Article 14, Outdoor Lighting.b.Outdoor lighting shall use full cut-off fixtures directing lighting to buildings and outdoor activity areas, shielding off-site areas and the night sky.

Light Trespass & Shielding

Butte County Code of Ordinances Section 24-67 requires all outdoor lighting in the county's residential zones to be located, adequately shielded, and directed so that no direct light falls outside the property line or into the public right-of-way, the county's core defense against neighbor-to-neighbor light trespass.

Butte County Outdoor Lighting Trespass Standard

Some Restrictions

Butte County Code of Ordinances § 24-67

24-67 - Standards. All outdoor lighting shall be located, adequately shielded, and directed such that no direct light falls outside the property line, or into the public right-of-way as illustrated in Figure 24-67-1 (Inadequate and Adequate Shielding) and Figure 24-67-2 (Light Source Not Directly Visible Outside Property Perimeter).

Outdoor Lighting by City in Butte County

1 cities in Butte County have their own outdoor lighting rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

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