Butte County Property Tax Rates by City, Area, and Tax District 2026
Property taxes in Butte County vary by parcel because the final bill reflects the property’s assessed value, tax rate area, and local charges. For 2024, Census data shows a median owner-occupied home value of $424,700 and median real estate taxes of $2,951, producing an effective rate of about 0.69%.
Effective Tax Rate
0.69%
Median Property Tax
$2,951
Tax per $100K
$690
Last Update
August 2026
Butte County Property Tax 2026-27
Butte County Property Tax Rate
Butte County property tax rates vary by district in the provided data. Parcel bills can still include fixed charges, parcel taxes, CFD charges, or special assessments depending on the property.
Base rate
1.0000% general ad valorem tax.
District rates
Butte County district rates vary from 1.0000% to 1.4835% in the provided data.
Direct charges
Special assessments and parcel charges are added separately.
Area
Representative Rate
Biggs District
1.0000%
Chico District
1.0366%
Countywide-Unitary
1.4835%
Gridley District
1.0000%
Oroville District
1.0000%
Paradise District
1.0000%
Railroad Unitary
1.1130%
Unincorporated Area District
1.0000%
Other Butte County Property Tools
Tax-rate information is only one part of evaluating a property. These tools can help users connect tax research with parcel details, estimated tax costs, transfer-tax calculations, and location information.
Butte County Property Search
Search property records using an owner name, address, parcel number, city, ZIP code, or other available search filters.
Butte Property Tax Calculator
Estimate potential annual property taxes by entering property value and using relevant tax-rate information for the property.
Butte Doc Stamp Calculator
Estimate applicable documentary transfer taxes or related document charges when calculating costs associated with a property transfer.
Butte County Zoning and Maps
Explore parcel locations, zoning information, maps, boundaries, and other geographic details connected with a property.
How Property Tax Rates Are Applied in Butte County
The amount shown on a property tax bill is not determined by simply multiplying today’s market price by one countywide percentage. California generally uses a property’s assessed value under Proposition 13, then applies the applicable tax levies for its tax rate area. Additional charges and exemptions can change the final amount.
Assessed Value and Taxable Value
For most real property, the assessed value is tied to a Proposition 13 base-year value established after a change in ownership or new construction. That value is generally adjusted annually within Proposition 13’s limits. Exemptions can reduce the taxable amount used for certain calculations.
Applying the Property Tax Rate
California’s constitutional property-tax framework generally limits the basic ad valorem levy to 1% of assessed value, with additional amounts permitted for certain voter-approved bonded indebtedness. The actual total bill can therefore exceed the basic 1% levy.
Tax Rate Areas
A parcel is assigned to a tax rate area based on the local taxing jurisdictions that serve that location. Butte County maintains geographic tax-rate-area information, so properties only a short distance apart can fall under different combinations of local levies.
Special Assessments and Direct Charges
Some tax bills include charges that are separate from the general property-tax levy. Butte County’s bill information identifies locally voted special taxes and city or district direct assessments, so these amounts should be reviewed separately from the basic rate.
Voter-Approved Taxes and Bonds
Local voters may approve bonded indebtedness or special taxes that affect properties within the applicable jurisdiction. These charges are one reason the total amount due on two otherwise similar properties may not be identical.
Reassessment and Supplemental Bills
Buying a property or completing qualifying new construction can trigger a reassessment. When the new assessment differs from the amount already enrolled, the owner may receive a supplemental tax bill separate from the regular annual bill.
Why Property Tax Rates Vary Across Butte County
Butte County includes incorporated cities, rural areas, and unincorporated communities, so properties can fall within different combinations of taxing agencies. The parcel’s location ultimately determines which tax rate area, assessments, and voter-approved charges apply.
- Local districts exist to fund public services and infrastructure within defined geographic boundaries.
- School districts and other agencies can serve different portions of the county and affect applicable levies.
- Tax rate areas combine the agencies whose boundaries overlap a particular parcel.
- Two nearby properties can have different bills when their parcels fall into different taxing jurisdictions.
- Voter-approved bonds and special taxes can add charges to properties within eligible areas.
- The exact parcel location determines which assessments and local charges appear on its tax bill.
Check Property Tax Rates in Nearby California Counties
Comparing neighboring counties can help buyers, homeowners, investors, and researchers understand how property-tax costs differ across Northern California. California Property Checker provides county-specific property information and tools for researching properties beyond a single local market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying a property in Butte County change its assessed value?
Usually, yes. A change in ownership generally triggers a reassessment under California’s property-tax rules. The Assessor establishes a new base-year value subject to applicable exclusions or other provisions of law.
Will I receive a supplemental tax bill after buying a home?
You may. A supplemental assessment is used to account for the difference between the property’s prior assessed value and its newly assessed value after a qualifying ownership change. The resulting supplemental bill is separate from the regular annual tax bill.
When are Butte County property taxes due?
For secured property, the first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent after December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent after April 10. A 10% penalty applies after the applicable delinquency deadline.
What happens if I do not pay my property taxes on time?
Unpaid taxes become delinquent and can result in penalties and additional charges. Butte County states that delinquent property-tax balances can increase by 1.5% per month, and delinquent properties may be subject to further fees.
Can I appeal my property's assessed value?
Yes. Property owners have a right to challenge an assessment through the county’s assessment appeal process. Butte County lists a regular assessment appeal period of July 2 through November 30, while supplemental assessment appeals generally have a 60-day filing period.
What if my property's market value has fallen?
A decline in market value may provide grounds for a Proposition 8 review when the property’s current market value is below its factored Proposition 13 value. The Assessor may review the property and enroll the lower value when the legal requirements are met.
Does adding a room, garage, or pool affect property taxes?
It can. Qualifying new construction may be assessed separately and can produce a supplemental assessment. Butte County specifically identifies substantial additions such as a new room, pool, or garage as examples of construction that may affect assessment.
Can homeowners receive a property-tax exemption?
Eligible homeowners may claim a Homeowners’ Exemption, and other exemptions are available for qualifying property owners, including certain disabled veterans. The Homeowners’ Exemption is not automatically transferred when a homeowner moves to another property.
Where can I verify the actual tax amount for a Butte County property?
The actual bill should be verified through the Butte County property-tax system or the appropriate county office. The county provides online access to current secured, unsecured, supplemental, and certain defaulted tax information.
Why might my estimated property tax differ from the actual bill?
An estimate based on a countywide effective rate cannot account for every parcel’s assessed value, tax rate area, exemption status, special assessment, direct charge, or voter-approved levy. The actual tax bill is therefore the better source for a property’s exact amount.