Local zoning · Butte County

Butte County — Historic Preservation

Q: What happens if my project is near Honey Run Covered Bridge in Butte Creek Canyon?

Projects at the five recognized sites listed in the -BCC overlay (including the Honey Run Covered Bridge) require County consultation with the California Historical Resources Information System (NEIC at CSU Chico) before building permits or discretionary approvals are issued. Plan early coordination to address recommended mitigations (§ 24-34.1) .

Q: I’m building along a scenic highway. Does the -SH overlay affect historic views?

Yes. The -SH overlay requires a Minor Use Permit for most development and findings that design preserves corridor views. The County’s glossary ties scenic highways to places of historic/cultural interest, so projects must be compatible with those values (§ 24-42.C–F; Glossary “Scenic Highway”) .

Q: Does the County support “historic agriculture” uses?

The -UA overlay is intended to maintain small-scale/historic agricultural operations and “historic ways of farming” in unique rural areas. Confirm the mapped area and permitted activities with the County before proposing agritourism or heritage-farming uses (§ 24-45.A) .

Q: Who decides permits where historic-resource protections apply?

Permit decisions follow Article V procedures. For example, -SH projects needing a Minor Use Permit must satisfy specific findings in § 24-42 and the general CUP/MUP findings, and wireless facility proposals must meet § 24-181 standards and findings. Work with Planning staff early to scope submittal requirements (Article V; § 24-42; § 24-181) .

Historic Preservation under the Butte County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated areas of Butte County, the Zoning Ordinance does not create a single “historic preservation” chapter. Instead, preservation-related rules are embedded in specific overlay districts, use-specific standards, and a few topic articles that protect historic, cultural, and scenic resources during land use and development. Applicants should read these provisions alongside the broader Butte County Zoning, Land Use, and Development Standards frameworks.

Plain-English anchor: In unincorporated Butte County, historic preservation is implemented through overlay zones (notably the -BCC and -SH overlays) and countywide siting rules (e.g., telecom facilities near historic resources), rather than a single “historic landmarks” chapter.

How preservation appears in the zoning code

Overlay zones with preservation goals, requirements, and review triggers:
- The Butte Creek Canyon (-BCC) overlay explicitly protects the Canyon’s “historical foundation” and lists specific recognized sites that trigger consultation with the regional historical resources information center before permits or discretionary approvals are issued (see -BCC standards) .
- The Scenic Highway (-SH) overlay protects scenic corridors, which the County defines as including views to places of “historic or cultural interest,” and adds permitting/design standards to keep projects compatible with the corridor’s resources .
Countywide use standards that protect historic resources:
- Wireless/telecommunications facilities face location and setback-reduction limits near locally or State-listed historic/cultural resources and are generally prohibited in areas of historical or cultural importance unless no feasible alternative exists .
Topic-specific articles with historic-resource carve-outs:
- The Signs article includes an exception pathway for signs that are part of a designated historic resource, restricting when such a sign may be deemed nonconforming (exact § number not visible in retrieved excerpt; see Risks & Ambiguities) .

For contextual review paths that often come up with historic properties, also see Overlay Districts, potential Design Review triggers through overlay permits, and project-level Parking implications.

Overlay districts — district-by-district

Butte Creek Canyon (-BCC) overlay — § 24-34.1

Purpose and where it applies: The -BCC overlay safeguards the scenic, ecological, and historical foundation of Butte Creek Canyon; it applies to mapped canyon areas and may be combined with most base zones (it does not alter legal existing uses; expansions must comply) .
Recognized historic/cultural sites and mandatory consultation: Before any building permit issuance or discretionary approval at the listed sites (Nicholl Family Cemetery in Helltown; Boneyard Flat in Helltown; Centerville Schoolhouse; Centerville Cemetery; Honey Run Covered Bridge), the County must consult the California Historical Resources Information System, Northeast Information Center (CSU Chico) for preservation recommendations/mitigations .
Key development standards relevant to preservation: Email noticing to an “interested parties” list for required public hearings; hillside design controls that minimize visual massing; other canyon-specific protections (e.g., watershed) that also help preserve historic landscape context .
Practical guidance: If your parcel is in the canyon, start with a records check for these named sites and plan early consultation if your project is on or adjacent to one. Cross-check related Development Standards early.

Scenic Highway (-SH) overlay — § 24-42

Purpose and where it applies: The -SH overlay preserves the natural aesthetic qualities of lands within 350 feet of designated scenic highway rights-of-way (General Plan Figure COS-9). “Scenic highway” expressly includes views to resources of “historic or cultural interest” in the County’s glossary, so historic-view impacts can be relevant under -SH .
Review and typical permitted uses: Uses follow the underlying base zone, but most development that needs a building permit also needs a Minor Use Permit (MUP), with exceptions for a single-family home and its accessory structures. Undergrounding of utilities is required; certain sign types are prohibited; and walls/fences must meet corridor design standards and avoid blocking highway views .
Key findings: To approve projects, the County must find the design complements scenic qualities, preserves views from the public right-of-way, and minimizes grading — all of which can support the setting of nearby historic/cultural resources visible from the corridor .
Practical guidance: If your project fronts a scenic highway, plan for an MUP and objective design responses (e.g., utility undergrounding, sign limitations). Coordinate early if your site is near a known historic resource that contributes to the corridor’s viewshed.

Unique Agriculture (-UA) overlay — § 24-45

Purpose and where it applies: The -UA overlay is intended to support small-scale/historic agricultural operations and “historic ways of farming” by allowing educational/tourism and compatible uses that keep the rural working landscape intact in specific rural and foothill areas .
Typical permitted uses and dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
Practical guidance: If your project proposes agritourism or heritage farming uses, check the -UA map and confirm applicable allowances and standards with the County. This overlay’s intent aligns with protecting cultural landscape values.

Countywide standards affecting historic resources

Wireless/Telecommunications facilities — § 24-181
- Setback reductions for facilities in non-residential zones cannot be approved if the site is within 500 feet of a building/feature on a local or State historic or cultural significance list; reduced setbacks are also barred in the -SH overlay. Additional aesthetic compatibility findings apply for closer siting near residential areas .
- Siting in areas of historical, cultural, or aesthetic importance is prohibited unless no feasible alternative exists and denial would violate federal/state law regarding service; strict conditions apply if exceptions are considered .
Signs on historic resources — Article III, Division 10 (Signs)
- The nonconforming-signs section provides exceptions where a sign that is part of a designated historic resource should be repaired/modified rather than removed, unless it doesn’t contribute to the landmark’s significance or poses an immediate safety threat (exact § number not visible in retrieved excerpt; verify with the County) .

For processing context (permits, findings, noticing), see the County’s procedures in Article V and related Design Review references where an overlay triggers discretionary review. If an ADU is involved, note that state law allows objective standards on historically listed properties; see California ADU law for statewide guardrails, and coordinate with County staff for parcel-specific constraints.

Key standards and where they apply

Topic	Standard/Trigger	Where it applies	Code Reference
Recognized historic/cultural sites in Butte Creek Canyon	County consults CHRIS-NEIC (CSU Chico) for recommendations/mitigations before building permit issuance or discretionary approvals at five named sites (Nicholl Family Cemetery; Boneyard Flat; Centerville Schoolhouse; Centerville Cemetery; Honey Run Covered Bridge)	Parcels within the -BCC overlay at or affecting listed sites	§ 24-34.1 (Land Use & Development Standards – Historic, Cultural, and Archaeological Sites)
Telecom facility setback reductions near historic resources	No reduced setback if within 500 ft of a building/feature on a local or State historic/cultural significance list; also not allowed in the -SH overlay	Countywide; facilities in non-residential zones seeking reduced setbacks	§ 24-181.A.3.b–c
Telecom siting and cultural resources	Locating facilities in areas of historical, cultural, or aesthetic importance is prohibited unless no feasible alternative exists and denial would prohibit service per law	Countywide	§ 24-181.O.1
Scenic Highway overlay review	Most development needing a building permit also needs an MUP; underground utilities; sign limits; compatible design; protect views	Parcels within 350 ft of scenic highway ROW in the -SH overlay	§ 24-42.C–F
Scenic resources definition linkage	“Scenic Highway” includes access/views to areas of historic or cultural interest (glossary)	Countywide definition guiding -SH	§ 24-304 (Glossary – Scenic Highway)
Historic agrarian landscape intent	Overlay supports small-scale/historic agriculture and “historic ways of farming”	Parcels mapped in the -UA overlay	§ 24-45.A
Nonconforming signs on historic resources	Exception pathway favors repair/modify over removal where sign contributes to designated historic resource; safety exception	Countywide (Signs article)	Not found in retrieved materials (excerpt only)

Checklist

Confirm whether your parcel lies in an overlay with preservation relevance: -BCC, -SH, or -UA; see Overlay Districts.
If in -BCC and your project affects one of the five recognized sites, plan for CHRIS-NEIC consultation before permits/discretionary approvals (§ 24-34.1) .
If along a scenic corridor, scope an MUP and objective design responses (undergrounding, sign limitations, view preservation) under -SH (§ 24-42) .
For wireless facilities, check the 500‑ft constraint to locally/State-listed historic/cultural features and the prohibition on siting in areas of historical/cultural importance (§ 24-181) .
If your project includes signs on a designated historic resource, verify the nonconforming-sign exception details with the County (Signs article; exact § not visible in excerpt) .
Align other project elements (e.g., Parking, Design Review) with overlay permit procedures and findings.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Countywide “historic district” or landmark designation process	Determines if a local list triggers telecom and other protections	Not found in retrieved materials; verify with Butte County Development Services
Signs on historic resources — exact section	Governs whether a nonconforming sign must be removed or can be repaired	Exact § not shown in excerpt; request the Signs article citation from the County
Extent of “areas of historical/cultural importance” for telecom	Defines where siting is effectively prohibited	Confirm with the County what inventories or maps they use for § 24-181.O.1 determinations
-UA overlay permitted uses/standards	Affects feasibility of heritage agritourism/farm projects	Details not in retrieved materials; obtain current -UA map and standards (§ 24-45)
Additional historic sites in -BCC beyond five listed	Could trigger CHRIS-NEIC consultation	The ordinance lists five named sites; confirm if other resources nearby warrant similar treatment (§ 24-34.1)

Plain-English Summary

In unincorporated Butte County, there isn’t one “historic preservation” zone. Instead, preservation rules show up in overlays like -BCC (which flags five specific sites for historical consultation) and -SH (which protects scenic corridors that include historic/cultural views), plus countywide rules that, for example, keep cell towers away from listed historic resources. Before designing, check your overlay status, plan for the right permits, and coordinate early with the County if your site could affect recognized historic or cultural resources.

Source References

Butte County Zoning Ordinance, § 24-34.1 Butte Creek Canyon overlay zone (purpose; applicability; standards; recognized historic/cultural sites)
Butte County Zoning Ordinance, § 24-42 Scenic Highway overlay zone (purpose; applicability; permits; standards; findings) and Glossary “Scenic Highway” definition (§ 24-304)
Butte County Zoning Ordinance, § 24-181 Wireless/Telecom (setback reductions; proximity to historic/cultural features; cultural resource siting prohibition)
Butte County Zoning Ordinance, § 24-45 Unique Agriculture overlay zone (purpose to preserve historic ways of farming)
Butte County Zoning Ordinance, Article III, Division 10 (Signs) — nonconforming signs exception for designated historic resources (exact § not shown in retrieved excerpt)
For broader context: Butte County zoning & planning overview, Overlay Districts, Design Review, Development Standards, Signage, Nonconforming Uses, and California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Butte County Zoning Code (Chapter 24) Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (Chapter 24) Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (§ 65915) Medium relevance
CBC § 1 (Section 21676.) Medium relevance
CEC § 500 Medium relevance
CBC § 1 (§ 1) Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
CBC § 1995 Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (Chapter 24) Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (§1.6003) Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
CBC § G106 (SECTION G106) Medium relevance
Butte County Zoning Code (Article VI) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Butte County code library

Frequently asked questions

Does unincorporated Butte County have a formal “Historic Preservation” or “Historic District” zone?

Not found in retrieved materials. Preservation is implemented through overlay zones (notably -BCC and -SH) and use-specific standards (e.g., for wireless facilities) rather than a countywide historic overlay or landmark designation chapter. See § 24-34.1, § 24-42, and § 24-181 for the main tools used today .

What happens if my project is near Honey Run Covered Bridge in Butte Creek Canyon?

Projects at the five recognized sites listed in the -BCC overlay (including the Honey Run Covered Bridge) require County consultation with the California Historical Resources Information System (NEIC at CSU Chico) before building permits or discretionary approvals are issued. Plan early coordination to address recommended mitigations (§ 24-34.1) .

How close can a wireless facility be to a listed historic resource in unincorporated areas?

A reduced setback cannot be approved if the facility would be within 500 feet of any building or feature on a local or State historic/cultural significance list. Separately, siting in areas of historical/cultural importance is prohibited unless no feasible alternative exists and denial would conflict with telecom law (§ 24-181.A.3.c; § 24-181.O.1) .

I’m building along a scenic highway. Does the -SH overlay affect historic views?

Yes. The -SH overlay requires a Minor Use Permit for most development and findings that design preserves corridor views. The County’s glossary ties scenic highways to places of historic/cultural interest, so projects must be compatible with those values (§ 24-42.C–F; Glossary “Scenic Highway”) .

Are there special rules for signs on designated historic landmarks?

The Signs article includes an exception pathway for signs that are part of a designated historic resource, favoring repair/modification over removal unless the sign doesn’t contribute to significance or is unsafe. The exact § was not visible in the retrieved excerpt — verify with the County before altering a sign (Signs, Nonconforming; excerpt) .

Does the County support “historic agriculture” uses?

The -UA overlay is intended to maintain small-scale/historic agricultural operations and “historic ways of farming” in unique rural areas. Confirm the mapped area and permitted activities with the County before proposing agritourism or heritage-farming uses (§ 24-45.A) .

If I add an ADU to a historic property in unincorporated Butte County, are there extra rules?

State ADU law allows local objective standards to avoid adverse impacts to properties listed in the California Register of Historical Resources. But a countywide “historic district” designation was not confirmed in retrieved materials; coordinate with staff to identify applicable objective standards and any overlay permits (state guidance; local ordinance references) .

Who decides permits where historic-resource protections apply?

Permit decisions follow Article V procedures. For example, -SH projects needing a Minor Use Permit must satisfy specific findings in § 24-42 and the general CUP/MUP findings, and wireless facility proposals must meet § 24-181 standards and findings. Work with Planning staff early to scope submittal requirements (Article V; § 24-42; § 24-181) .

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