Earlier editions: 2026-09
Chapter 24 — ZONING›Article I — Enactment and Applicability
Butte County Municipal Code Div. 3 Zones and Zoning Map
Butte County Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Butte County
Cite as: Butte County Municipal Code Division 3 · Text as of 2026-10-04
24-10 - Purpose.¶
This division identifies the zones that apply to property within the county and establishes the official Butte County Zoning Map.
(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13)
24-11 - Zones and zoning map.¶
A. Base Zones. Butte County is divided into zones that implement the General Plan. The zones are shown in Table 24-11-1 (Base Zones).
B. Rural and Urban Zones. The Zoning Ordinance establishes varying standards and regulations that apply to rural and urban zones within the county. Distinguishing between rural and urban zones is intended to help preserve and enhance the rural character of the county and eliminate unnecessary and inappropriate regulations in rural areas. Table 24-11-1 (Base Zones) identifies the zones which are classified within the Zoning Ordinance as either rural or urban zones.
TABLE 24-11-1 BASE ZONES
| Zone Symbol | Name of Zone | General Plan Land Use Designation Implemented by Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Zones | Rural Zones | Rural Zones |
| Agriculture Zones | Agriculture Zones | Agriculture Zones |
| AG-20 | Agriculture, 20-acre min. parcel size | AG |
| AG-40 | Agriculture, 40-acre min. parcel size | AG |
| AG-80 | Agriculture, 80-acre min. parcel size | AG |
| AG-160 | Agriculture, 160-acre min. parcel size | AG |
| AS | Agriculture Services | AS |
| Natural Resource Zones | Natural Resource Zones | Natural Resource Zones |
| TM | Timber Mountain | TM |
| TPZ | Timber Production | TM |
| RC | Resource Conservation | RC |
| Residential Zones | Residential Zones | Residential Zones |
| FR-1 | Foothill Residential, 1-acre min. parcel size | FR |
| FR-2 | Foothill Residential, 2-acre min. parcel size | FR |
| FR-5 | Foothill Residential, 5-acre min. parcel size | FR |
| FR-10 | Foothill Residential, 10-acre min. parcel size | FR |
| FR-20 | Foothill Residential, 20-acre min. parcel size | FR |
| FR-40 | Foothill Residential, 40-acre min. parcel size | FR |
| FCR-20 | Foothill Country Residential, 20-acre min. parcel size | FR |
| RR-5 | Rural Residential, 5-acre min. parcel size | RR |
| RR-10 | Rural Residential, 10-acre min. parcel size | RR |
| RCR-10 | Rural Country Residential, 10-acre min. parcel size | RR |
| Urban Zones | Urban Zones | Urban Zones |
| Residential Zones | Residential Zones | Residential Zones |
| VLDR | Very Low Density Residential, up to 1 unit per parcel | VLDR |
| VLDR-2.5 | Very Low Density Residential, up to 1 unit per parcel | VLDR |
| VLDCR | Very Low Density Country Residential, up to 1 unit per parcel | VLDR |
| LDR | Low Density Residential, up to 1 unit per parcel | LDR |
| MDR | Medium Density Residential, up to 1 unit per parcel | MDR |
| MHDR | Medium High Density Residential, up to 14 units per acre | MHDR |
| HDR | High Density Residential, 14 to 20 units per acre | HDR |
| VHDR | Very High Density Residential, 20 to 30 units per acre | VHDR |
| Commercial and Mixed Use Zones | Commercial and Mixed Use Zones | Commercial and Mixed Use Zones |
| GC | General Commercial a | RTL |
| NC | Neighborhood Commercial b | RTL |
| CC | Community Commercial c | RTL |
| REC | Recreation Commercial a | REC |
| SE | Sports and Entertainment a | SE |
| MU-1 | Mixed Use, 6 units per acre max. density b | MU |
| MU-2 | Mixed Use, 7 to 14 units per acre a | MU |
| MU-3 | Mixed Use, 15 to 20 units per acre d | MU |
| Industrial Zones | Industrial Zones | Industrial Zones |
| LI | Limited Industrial a | I |
| GI | General Industrial d | I |
| HI | Heavy Industrial d | I |
| Special Purpose Zones | Special Purpose Zones | Special Purpose Zones |
| PB | Public a | P |
| AIR | Airport d | I |
| RBP | Research and Business Park a | RBP |
| PD | Planned Development | PUD |
a Maximum Floor Area Ratio = 0.4.
b Maximum Floor Area Ratio = 0.3.
c Maximum Floor Area Ratio = 0.2.
d Maximum Floor Area Ratio = 0.5.
C. Overlay Zones. The Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map include the overlay zones shown in Table 24-11-2 (Overlay Zones). Overlay zones provide additional requirements and uses on properties in addition to requirements of the underlying base zone.
TABLE 24-11-2 OVERLAY ZONES
| Overlay Zone Symbol | Name of Overlay Zone |
|---|---|
| -AC | Airport Land Use Compatibility |
| -BCC | Butte Creek Canyon Overlay |
| -CM | Chapman Mulberry |
| -CH | Cohasset |
| -DH | Deer Herd Migration |
| -FP | Urban Flood Protection |
| -MA | Military Airspace Overlay Zone |
| -NCSP | North Chico Specific Plan |
| -PH | Public Housing |
| -REC | Recreation Commercial |
| -RET | Retail |
| -SH | Scenic Highway |
| -SMSP | Stringtown Mountain Specific Plan |
| -RW | Neal Road Recycling, Energy, and Waste Facility |
| -UA | Unique Agriculture |
| -WP | Watershed Protection |
D. Zoning Map.
The Board of Supervisors hereby adopts the Butte County Zoning Map ("Zoning Map"), which establishes the boundaries of all base and overlay zones provided for in the Zoning Ordinance.
The Zoning Map, including all legends, symbols, notations, references and other information shown on the map, is incorporated by reference and made a part of the Zoning Ordinance.
The Zoning Map is kept, maintained and updated electronically by the Department of Development Services, and is available for viewing by the public at the Department of Development Services and on the official County website.
(Ord. No. 4062, § 1, 9-10-13; Ord. No. 4120, § 2, 10-25-16; Ord. No. 4237, § 1, 1-23-24)
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