Bolthole Index

Butte County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in the Town of Paradise, California

The Town of Paradise, California in Butte County adopts its own zoning in Title 17 of the Paradise Municipal Code1 and issues building permits through its own Building Division2. Septic permits inside town limits are reviewed by the town's on-site sanitary official, not by Butte County3. Outside town limits, Butte County's rules apply instead; see the Butte County page.

At a glance

Building permit
Issued by the Town of Paradise Building Division; applications are made online2
Zoning
Town zoning, Title 17 of the Paradise Municipal Code1
Septic
Town on-site sanitary official; permit required before the building permit34
RV living
Allowed with a temporary use permit while rebuilding, once the building permit for the home is issued5
Manufactured homes
Allowed in zones that allow single-family homes if conditions are met; units older than 10 years are prohibited6
Secondary dwellings
Allowed in single-family zones7
Maximum building height
35 feet in the residential and agricultural zones8
Property tax
Butte County effective rate 0.7%9

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Paradise Building Division

Building permit applications and inspection requests inside Paradise town limits, at the Building Resiliency Center

(530) 872-6291 ext. 411

6295 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Town of Paradise Planning Division

Zoning questions, the interactive zoning map and land-use applications inside Paradise town limits

(530) 872-6291 ext. 411

6295 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969

Septic permits

Town of Paradise Onsite Division (septic)

Septic system permits, septic evaluations and onsite inspections inside Paradise town limits

(530) 872-6291 ext 411

6295 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Town of Paradise Planning Division: RVs on a property

Temporary use permits for living in an RV while rebuilding

(530) 872-6291 ext 411

6295 Skyway, Paradise, CA 95969

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of Paradise means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does the Town of Paradise, CA have zoning?

Yes. The Town of Paradise has its own zoning, Title 17 of the Paradise Municipal Code, with residential, agricultural and resource zones1. The Planning Division publishes an interactive zoning map and handles zoning questions10.

Lot sizes depend on the district. Town Residential lots start at 1 acre, 1/2 acre or 1/3 acre depending on the zone, with a 65-foot minimum width11. Rural Residential zones RR-1, RR-2/3 and RR-1/2 require 1 acre, 2/3 acre and 1/2 acre12. AG-10 and AG-20 agricultural lots need 10 and 20 acres13.

In the Town Residential zones, front setbacks are 50 feet from the centerline of a public street and 30 feet from the centerline of a private road, with 5-foot side and rear yards14. AG-10 and AG-20 parcels need 10-foot side and rear yards15. Homes may be up to 35 feet tall8. We could not confirm a minimum dwelling size; ask the Planning Division10.

Do you need a building permit in Paradise, CA, and who issues it?

Building permits inside Paradise town limits come from the Town of Paradise Building Division, not from Butte County. Applications and inspection requests are made online through the town's permit portal2. The Building Division works from the Building Resiliency Center at 6295 Skyway2.

Paradise has adopted the California Residential Code by reference, with its own amendments16. We could not confirm the exact permit exemptions, fee schedule or owner-builder procedure from the town's code, so ask the Building Division before you plan any work.

California lets owners build on their own property, but an owner who signs a building permit application takes full responsibility for the project, which must pass code inspections17.

How do septic permits work inside Paradise, CA?

Septic permits inside the Town of Paradise are reviewed by the town's on-site sanitary official under Chapter 13.04 of the municipal code, with no construction of a sewage disposal system allowed before approval3. The town's Onsite Division handles septic system permits and evaluations18.

A sewage disposal permit must be obtained before the building permit is issued. The permit is valid for 1 year unless renewed4. A new septic tank must hold at least 1,500 gallons, and the plot plan must show a replacement leach field area of 100 percent4.

Butte County's soil data shows that only 1.6% of its soils rate as not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so most lots need a site evaluation and sometimes an engineered system19. If a domestic well is proposed, the well permit application is made at the same time as the septic application20. Butte County Environmental Health is referenced for well approval3.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Paradise, CA?

The town allows living in an RV with a temporary use permit while rebuilding, once the building permit for the primary residence has been issued5. The town's RV page describes this under its temporary use regulations and an interim housing ordinance written for Camp Fire survivors, so call the Planning Division before relying on it for a new purchase5.

Manufactured homes are allowed as dwellings in zones that allow single-family homes if they sit on an approved permanent foundation, meet the roof and siding standards and are no more than 10 years old at permit application6. Secondary dwellings are allowed with single-family use7.

For tiny homes, California requires the unit to qualify as a manufactured home, a Residential Code home, factory-built housing, an RV, a park trailer or a camping cabin, and an unclassified tiny home is illegal to occupy21. We could not confirm a town rule on camping on private land.

What are the steps to build a home in Paradise, CA, in order?

  1. Check your parcel's zone and setbacks with the Planning Division and the interactive zoning map10.
  2. Apply for the septic permit with the town's Onsite Division; a well application goes in at the same time if you plan one20.
  3. Get the septic permit, which must be in hand before the building permit4.
  4. Apply for the building permit online and schedule inspections through the town's portal2.
  5. If the parcel is in a flood-prone area, expect anchoring, flood-resistant materials and elevated utilities22.
  6. If the driveway meets a State highway, a Caltrans encroachment permit is required23.

What stays with Butte County, and what should you check before buying in Paradise?

Land outside Paradise town limits falls under Butte County's rules, not the town's; see the Butte County page. Always confirm that a parcel is inside the town limits before relying on the town's answers.

Before buying, check the zone, the flood-prone areas and whether a driveway needs a State highway permit22. These figures are for Butte County: the effective property tax rate is 0.7%9, the median property tax bill is $2,819 a year24, and a typical home insurance premium is $1,785 a year25. Ask about short-term rentals separately: the town limits them to one dwelling unit per parcel and requires an administrative permit26.

Watch-outs

  • The town's RV page was written around Camp Fire recovery deadlines, so confirm with the Planning Division whether a temporary use permit is available for your situation5.
  • Paradise's ordinance enacting the 2025 California Residential Code names the 2022 code in its adopting text, so ask the Building Division which edition applies to your plans16.
  • Short-term rentals in Paradise are limited to one dwelling unit per parcel and cannot offer camping or RV accommodation26.
  • We could not confirm Paradise's permit fees, inspection rules or owner-builder procedure; call the Building Division at the number listed above2.

Sources

  1. Paradise Code 17.14.400 Town residential zones site development regulations (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Paradise Building Division (townofparadise.com)
  3. Paradise Code 13.04.050 Sewage disposal construction permit required (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  4. Paradise Code 13.04.050 Sewage disposal construction permit required (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  5. Town of Paradise Planning Division: RVs on a property (townofparadise.com)
  6. Paradise Code 17.36.100 Mobile home provisions (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  7. Paradise Code 17.06.300 Residential density (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  8. Paradise Code 17.14.400 Town residential zones site development regulations (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  9. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  10. Town of Paradise Planning Division (townofparadise.com)
  11. Paradise Code 17.14.400 Town residential zones site development regulations (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  12. Paradise Code 17.12.400 Rural residential zones site development regulations (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  13. Paradise Code 17.10.400 AG-10 and AG-20 site development regulations (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  14. Paradise Code 17.14.400 Town residential zones site development regulations (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  15. Paradise Code 17.10.400 AG-10 and AG-20 site development regulations (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  16. Paradise Code 15.03.010 California Residential Code adopted (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  17. Owner-Builder Responsibilities (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Town of Paradise Onsite Division (septic) (townofparadise.com)
  19. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Paradise Code 13.04.050 Sewage disposal construction permit required (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  21. Information Bulletin 2016-01: Tiny Homes (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Paradise Code 8.55.060 Provisions for flood hazard reduction (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked
  23. Encroachment Permits | Caltrans (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Paradise Code 17.30.500 Short-term rentals prohibitions and restrictions (Town of Paradise), quoted and re-checked

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Paradise

Town of Paradise’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential construction inside Paradise town

    • Adopted by reference with the town's amendments and additions.
    • Ord. 652 (12-9-2025) enacted a chapter titled 2025 California Residential Code, but the adopting text names the 2022 California Residential Code; the discrepancy is unresolved.
    “including the town's amendments and additions, is hereby adopted by reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Paradise town limits

    • Zoning is Title 17 of the Paradise Municipal Code, with residential, agricultural and resource zones.
    “the following site development regulations apply within the town residential zones.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Paradise town

    • Code shows districts including TR, RR, AR, AG-10, AG-20, R-C, M-F, and commercial C-C, C-B, C-F, C-S; a zoning map was not opened.
    “the following site development regulations apply within the rural residential zones:”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural zones AG-10 and AG-20, and Agricultural Residential AR-1/3/5, inside Paradise town

    • AR zones: minimum site area per dwelling none.

    AG-10 minimum lot area: >= 10 acres · AG-20 minimum lot area: >= 20 acres · AR-1 minimum lot area: >= 1 acre · AR-3 minimum lot area: >= 3 acres · AR-5 minimum lot area: >= 5 acres

    “minimum lot area (gross) 10 acres 20 acres minimum site area per dwelling none none”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Agricultural zones AG-10 and AG-20 inside Paradise town

    • AG-10 table lists public street 50 feet and private street 30 feet; AG-20 states from centerline.

    front yard public street: >= 50 feet (AG-20 measured from centerline) · front yard private street: >= 30 feet (AG-20 measured from centerline) · side and rear yard: >= 10 feet

    “minimum front yard setback public street 50 feet 50 feet from centerline private street 30 feet 30 feet from centerline minimum side and rear yard setback 10 feet 10 feet from property line”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Rural Residential zones RR-1, RR-2/3, RR-1/2 inside Paradise town

    RR-1 building coverage: <= 20 percent · RR-2/3 building coverage: <= 20 percent · RR-1/2 building coverage: <= 25 percent · RR-1 and RR-2/3 impervious coverage: <= 30 percent · RR-1/2 impervious coverage: <= 40 percent

    “maximum coverage building 20 percent 20 percent 25 percent impervious 30 percent 30 percent 40 percent”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Town Residential, Rural Residential and Agricultural Residential zones inside Paradise town

    • Maximum height above grade is 35 feet in TR, RR and AR zones; AG-10 and AG-20 also 35 feet.

    maximum height above grade: <= 35 feet

    “maximum height above grade 35 feet 35 feet 35 feet”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Mobile and manufactured homes as dwellings in zones allowing single-family dwellings inside Paradise town

    • Structurally certified under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974.
    • Installed on an approved permanent foundation.
    • Roof pitch at least 3 in 12 and shingled or tiled; siding of masonry, wood, stucco or similar.
    • Installation of a unit older than ten years is prohibited.

    maximum age of unit: <= 10 years (measured from year of manufacture to year of permit application)

    “a mobile home or transportable factory built housing unit may be used as a dwelling in all zones allowing single-family dwellings”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Secondary/accessory dwellings with single-family use inside Paradise town

    • Secondary dwelling is not counted in determining density on a lot.
    • Parking: 1 per dwelling or 1 per bedroom, whichever is less, under 17.38.1000.
    • Size, setback and approval standards for ADUs not captured here.
    “a secondary dwelling shall be considered accessory to and part of the single-family use for purposes of determining the required site area per dwelling unit; however, it shall not be considered in determining the density on a lot or parcel.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Onsite sewage disposal systems inside Paradise town

    • Review and permits are by the town's on-site sanitary official under Chapter 13.04.
    • The Butte County environmental health division is separately referenced for well approval and debris cleanup certification.
    “no person shall begin, or cause to have begun, construction of any development or any sewage disposal system without review and approval by the on-site sanitary official.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New, altered, enlarged or repaired sewage disposal systems inside Paradise town

    • Sewage disposal permits shall be obtained prior to the issuance of building permits.
    • Permit valid one year unless renewed; repair permits valid no more than 90 days.
    • Plot plan with 100 percent replacement leach field area required; abandonment of a septic tank also needs a permit.

    permit validity: 1 year (repair permits no more than 90 days) · minimum new septic tank capacity: >= 1500 gallons (lesser capacity may be authorized for auxiliary tanks)

    “sewage disposal permits shall be obtained prior to the issuance of building permits.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Proposed domestic wells on parcels needing a sewage disposal permit inside Paradise town

    • Application is made at the time the sewage disposal permit application is submitted.
    • The issuing body for the well permit itself was not confirmed.
    “if a well is proposed as a domestic water source, a well-drilling permit application shall be made at the time a sewage disposal permit application is submitted;”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in flood-prone areas inside Paradise town

    • New construction and substantial improvements, including manufactured homes, must be anchored, built with flood-resistant materials and utility equipment elevated or protected.
    • Water and sanitary sewage systems must minimize floodwater infiltration; onsite waste disposal must avoid flood impairment.
    “If a proposed development site is in, or partially in, a flood-prone area, all new construction and substantial improvements”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals inside Paradise town

    • A short-term rental administrative permit is required (referenced in 17.30.500).
    • Only one dwelling unit per parcel; no overnight camping or RV accommodation.
    • Not allowed during construction or with a failed septic evaluation; no non-owner events; no on-site advertising.

    dwelling units per parcel: <= 1 unit

    “no more than one dwelling unit on a parcel may be used at any one time for short-term rental purposes.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Paradise or Butte County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Paradise town
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permits inside Paradise town
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Paradise town
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Paradise town
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Paradise town
9 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Paradise publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Butte County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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