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Butte County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Max Rentable Bedrooms
5
Septic Hard Ceiling
10 overnight guests
Public Sewer Ceiling
14 overnight guests
Septic Formula
2 guests per approved bedroom
Un-hosted Cap
90 nights/year (180 on 5+ ac)
Daytime Visitors
1 per overnight guest, max 10

Summary

Butte County caps short-term rentals at five rented bedrooms, two guests per approved bedroom on septic, and a hard overnight ceiling of 10 guests on septic or 14 on public sewer. Un-hosted stays are also capped at 90 nights per year.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Butte County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

No more than five (5) bedrooms shall be rented for short-term rental purposes. Bedrooms shall contain a minimum of seventy (70) square feet for two occupants and an additional fifty (50) square feet for each additional occupant. Properties served by an on-site septic system are limited to two (2) overnight guests per approved bedroom and shall not exceed ten (10) overnight guests; properties served by public sewer shall not exceed fourteen (14) overnight guests. Un-hosted stays are limited to ninety (90) nights per calendar year, except that parcels in zones with a five-acre or greater minimum may host un-hosted stays for up to one hundred eighty (180) nights per year. The property owner shall clearly state the maximum number of occupants and parking spaces in any rental listing or advertisement.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

1(I)(7) sets the occupancy and parking standards for short-term rentals. Bedrooms used for STR purposes must provide at least 70 square feet for two occupants plus 50 square feet for each additional occupant, and no more than five bedrooms may be rented in any short-term rental. The total nighttime occupancy depends on wastewater service: a property on a septic system is limited to two guests per approved bedroom with an absolute maximum of 10 overnight guests, while a property on public sewer is limited to a maximum of 14 overnight guests.

On-site residents count against the occupancy total. Un-hosted stays (where the resident is off-site during the rental) are capped at 90 nights per calendar year, increased to 180 nights for parcels in zones with a 5+ acre minimum. The ordinance further allows one daytime visitor per overnight occupant up to a maximum of ten total daytime visitors, with one additional parking space required for every two daytime visitors. Tandem parking is permitted only if parallel parking is unavailable. The owner must clearly state the maximum number of occupants and parking spaces in every rental listing and advertisement.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the posted occupancy or parking limits is an enforceable violation of Section 24-172.1, counts as a strike under the three-strikes revocation rule (Section 24-172.1(J)(1)), and can lead to permit revocation if three verifiable citations occur within 24 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can sleep in my Butte County short-term rental?
If you are on septic, no more than two guests per approved bedroom and not more than 10 overnight guests total. If you are on public sewer, the absolute ceiling is 14 overnight guests. No more than five bedrooms may be used as STR sleeping rooms.
Can I rent my Butte Meadows cabin out year-round if I do not live there?
Un-hosted stays are limited to 90 nights per year in most zones and 180 nights per year on parcels of 5 acres or more. Seasonal vacation cabins in Butte Meadows, Jonesville, Lake Madrone, and Philbrook Reservoir are exempt from the primary-residency requirement but still subject to operating standards.
Are daytime visitors counted against the occupancy limit?
Daytime visitors are counted separately. One daytime visitor per overnight occupant is allowed, up to a total of ten daytime visitors, and one extra on-site parking space is required for every two daytime visitors.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Butte County

All Butte County rules

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