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Paradise · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Paradise

Paradise sets size limits for accessory buildings built before the residence while temporary Chapter 8.61 is in effect, based on the zoning district. Home occupations need a home occupation permit.

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Key points

  • Early accessory buildings: Under temporary Chapter 8.61, an accessory building built before the home: at most 10% or 5% of the lot size, by district.
  • Home business permit: A home occupation in Paradise needs a home occupation permit.

Each rule below is marked Paradise code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Paradise code What Paradise's code adds
Size or lot coverage
  • May cover no more than 10% of the lot.
    Applies: Accessory building built before the home, under the temporary rules, in agricultural-residential, RR-1 and RR-2/3 districts.
    § 8.61.110 · code text
    The accessory building shall not exceed a building coverage area of ten percent of the lot size of the affected property located in any of the agricultural-residential, rural residential, one-ace minimum (RR-1) and rural residential two-third acre minimum (RR-2/3) zoning districts.
  • May cover no more than 5% of the lot.
    Applies: Accessory building built before the home, under the temporary rules, in town residential, RR-1/2 and multiple-family (MF) districts.
    § 8.61.110 · code text
    The accessory building shall not exceed a building coverage area of five percent of the lot size of the affected property located in any of the town residential, rural residential, one-half acre minimum (RR-1/2), and multiple-family residential [MF] zoning districts.
No permit needed up to
  • Up to 120 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: Accessory building built before the home, under the temporary rules, with no utility connections. Larger or connected buildings need all town permits.
    § 8.61.110 · code text
    Whenever the accessory building is to exceed a floor area of one hundred twenty square feet and/or to be connected to utilities the property owner or the property owner's authorized agent shall obtain all town permits for subject accessory building(s).

Running a business from home

Paradise code What Paradise's code adds
Permit
  • A home occupation permit.
    § 17.33.800 · code text
    Revocation of home occupation permit.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Paradise code What Paradise's code adds
EV charger permit
  • The building official issues all permits when the application meets the town checklist; electronic filing and signatures are accepted.
    § 15.16.040 · code text
    the building official shall allow for the electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentation.
Solar permit process
  • Approved administratively when complete and meeting the checklist; apply in person or by mail with fees; utility approves grid connection.
    § 15.15.030 · code text
    An applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the town's building division in person or mailed together with any required permit processing and inspection fees.
  • One inspection.
    Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems eligible for fast review.
    § 15.15.030 · code text
    For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner.

Pets, chickens and bees

Paradise code What Paradise's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes; up to 12 chickens and rabbits combined.
    Applies: Applies to residential zones with an existing residential use; no roosters.
    § 17.35.250 · code text
    Chickens and rabbits, not to exceed a combined total of twelve (12) chickens and rabbits, may be kept and raised upon residentially-zoned properties.
Coop setback
  • At least 50 feet from any occupied structure.
    Applies: Applies to pens, coops and other enclosures for chickens and rabbits.
    § 17.35.250 · code text
    Chickens and rabbits shall at all times be confined within pens, coops and other enclosed or fenced areas maintained a minimum distance of fifty (50) lineal feet from any occupiable structure and shall be established in compliance with all applicable yard setback requirements.
Permit
  • A Butte County agricultural commissioner beekeeping permit.
    Applies: Beekeeping is allowed only in the R-C, AG-10, AG-20, AR-1, AR-3, AR-5, RR-1 and TR-1 zones on lots of at least 43,560 square feet.
    § 17.35.300 · code text
    All beekeepers shall secure a permit from the Butte County agricultural commissioner for beekeeping.

Other Paradise rules on this

Paradise's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Paradise?

Under temporary Chapter 8.61, an accessory building built before the home: at most 10% or 5% of the lot size, by district.

Can I run a business from my home in Paradise?

A home occupation in Paradise needs a home occupation permit.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Paradise?

Paradise's code: The building official issues all permits when the application meets the town checklist; electronic filing and signatures are accepted. (§ 15.16.040); Approved administratively when complete and meeting the checklist; apply in person or by mail with fees; utility approves grid connection. (§ 15.15.030).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Paradise?

Paradise's code: Yes; up to 12 chickens and rabbits combined. (Applies to residential zones with an existing residential use; no roosters.) (§ 17.35.250); At least 50 feet from any occupied structure. (Applies to pens, coops and other enclosures for chickens and rabbits.) (§ 17.35.250).

General information, not legal advice.

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More on Paradise

Paradise Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Paradise

Buying & selling in Paradise

Paradise overview