Butte County, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Article III, Division 6 (Riparian Areas) defines a riparian area as the zone between the stream banks and fifty feet landward from the top of bank on any intermittent or perennial stream or river, as shown in Figure 24-77-1, excluding stock ponds, culverted sections, and engineered flood-control or irrigation systems. Section 24-79(B) prohibits grading, altering the natural contours of the land, or cutting or altering natural vegetation that protects riparian habitat anywhere in that buffer, with three narrow exceptions: work necessary to protect public health and safety, an approved creek restoration and enhancement project, or work tied to an approved administrative permit, conditional use permit, minor use permit, tentative map, or mining permit.

Section 24-78 separately lists what is allowed as-of-right within the buffer without triggering the removal prohibition, including livestock grazing and agricultural practices in agricultural and rural residential zones, native landscaping, fencing that does not block flood flows or wildlife corridors, maintenance roads, utility installation, storm drains, trails, and county-owned culverts and bridges. Any other structure or use in the buffer needs a Minor Use Permit, supported by findings that the project cannot feasibly be sited outside the riparian area and that it adequately protects wildlife habitat, water quality, and flood capacity.

Section 24-79(C) also bars filling, grading, excavating, or obstructing streambeds outside a short list of exceptions such as county-approved storm drains, utility lines, bridges, and creek restoration work. Section 24-80 requires coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the State Water Resources Control Board before the county will sign off on riparian-area development.