Butte County, CA Parking Rules: Overnight Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Without hookups
- Max 14 days per 30-day period (Sec. 24-75(A)(2))
- With approved power, sewage, water
- Max 180 days/year with Administrative Permit (Sec. 24-75(A)(1))
- Allowed zones
- Rural zones only: AG, TM, TPZ, RC, RR, FR
- Maximum RVs/tents per parcel
- 2 (Sec. 24-75(A)(3))
- Maximum families per parcel
- 2 (Sec. 24-75(A)(4))
Summary
Camping or sleeping overnight in a recreational vehicle, travel trailer, camper, or tent on unincorporated Butte County land outside a lawful campground or RV park is prohibited except on rural-zoned parcels (AG, TM, TPZ, RC, RR, FR), where it is limited to 14 days per 30-day period without hookups or up to 180 days per year with an Administrative Permit and approved power/sewage/water.
Camping by means of recreational vehicle or tent is allowed on all parcels in Rural Zones (AG, TM, TPZ, RC, RR, and FR) subject to the following standards: 1. Camping in a currently registered recreational vehicle connected to approved power, including power from a local utility, solar energy system, wind energy system, batteries and/or generator, an approved sewage disposal system and approved domestic water supply shall be limited to 180 or fewer days annually. An Administrative Permit is required prior to connection. 2. Camping without connection to approved power, an approved sewage disposal system, and an approved domestic water supply shall be limited to 14 or fewer days within any 30 day period. 3. No more than two recreational vehicles or tents shall occupy a parcel for the purpose of camping at any one time. 4. No more than two families shall occupy a parcel for the purpose of camping at any one time. 5. Solid waste shall be properly managed in accordance with Sections 31-51, Failure to Remove Solid Waste, and 31-52, Burning of Garbage, of the Butte County Code.
Full Breakdown
Butte County Code Section 24-75 (Article 15) prohibits camping outside a lawfully established outdoor recreational facility, campground, RV park, or hunting/fishing camp, except on rural-zoned parcels under specific conditions. On parcels in the Rural Zones (AG, TM, TPZ, RC, RR, FR), camping in a currently registered RV connected to approved power (utility, solar, wind, batteries, and/or generator), an approved sewage disposal system, and approved domestic water supply is limited to 180 or fewer days annually and requires an Administrative Permit prior to connection. Camping without those connections is limited to 14 or fewer days within any 30-day period.
No more than two recreational vehicles or tents, and no more than two families, may occupy a parcel for camping at any one time. Solid waste must be managed in accordance with Butte County Code Sections 31-51 (Failure to Remove Solid Waste) and 31-52 (Burning of Garbage). Section 24-73 separately prohibits using an RV as a permanent residence outside an officially-designated mobile home park. Short-term rental administrative permits expressly do not authorize overnight camping or sleeping in tents, trailers, campers, or RVs (Sec. 1(I)(9)).
Violations & Fines
Unpermitted camping is a code violation enforced by Butte County Code Enforcement under the County's nuisance abatement procedures (Chapter 32A) and code enforcement procedures (Chapter 41). The Code Case Type "Camping Violation" is one of the County's named enforcement categories. Penalties may include administrative citations and abatement orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can guests sleep overnight in an RV on my property in Butte County?
Can short-term rental guests camp or sleep in an RV during their stay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
How Butte County compares: Cities with the Strictest Overnight Parking Rules·California rules heatmap·Compare Butte County to another location·View the California parking rules overview
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