Butte County Assessor Property Search, APN Lookup & Tax Records 2026
A Butte County property search can begin with a Chico street address, an Oroville tax bill, a Paradise rebuilding parcel, a Magalia hillside lot, agricultural acreage near Durham or Gridley, or vacant foothill land with no usable street address. The correct next step depends on whether you need assessed value, an APN, zoning and fire layers, a tax bill, calamity relief, an assessment review, a deed or a surveyed boundary. This guide helps you move through the Assessor, GIS, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Assessment Appeals Board and Clerk-Recorder systems without mistaking one online record for a complete legal or tax answer.
Quick Answer: How to Search Butte County Property Records
Butte County’s official parcel-search page directs users to ParcelQuest Lite. The search accepts an Assessor Parcel Number or street address. The parcel-detail result may show the APN, parcel status, situs address, abbreviated legal description, land value, improvement value, exemption amount and total assessed value.
Some vacant, agricultural, foothill and rebuilding parcels do not have a dependable street address. In those cases, use the APN from the tax bill, deed, GIS map, recorded map or closing paperwork.
Butte County Property Office Router
Select the task you need to complete before opening several systems or calling the wrong department.
Which Office Should You Use?
Your result will appear here
Select the task that matches your problem to receive a practical office route and preparation checklist.
Required warning: Planning help only. Not an official tax bill, assessment decision, government approval, title report, legal survey or legal opinion. Verify final details with the appropriate Butte County or California source before payment, filing, appeal, purchase, rebuilding or legal use.
Butte County APN Map Decoder
Enter an APN such as 036-011-015 to understand the Assessor map book, page and parcel references.
APN map reference
Enter a Butte County APN to create a planning reference for the map book, page and parcel.
Required warning: Planning help only. This decoder does not verify that the APN is current or legally connected with a particular deed, boundary or owner.
California Supplemental Tax Reserve Estimator
Use this rough calculator after a purchase, ownership change or completed new construction.
Supplemental tax planning result
Enter the new value, prior value, estimated rate and number of months.
Required warning: Estimate only and planning help only. Not an official tax bill or county assessment calculation. Verify actual values, tax rates and bills with Butte County.
Who This Butte County Property Guide Helps
Find assessed values, review property characteristics, change the mailing address, claim an exemption or request an appraisal review.
Compare parcel data, tax status, supplemental-tax exposure, GIS layers, deed records, zoning and access before purchase.
Check current parcel value, improvements, fire layers, permits, property-damage relief and recorded ownership after reconstruction.
Use the APN to review parcel data, zoning, California Land Conservation Act information, assessment records and connected parcels.
Confirm homeowners, disabled veterans and California property-tax postponement requirements with the responsible agency.
Use the Assessor for parcel and value details and the Clerk-Recorder for deeds, liens, maps and official copies.
Butte County Assessor Quick Facts
| Detail | Current Official Information | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Official office | Butte County Assessor | Visit the official Assessor page |
| Assessor | Alyssa Douglass | Confirm current notices and leadership on the county website. |
| Office address | 25 County Center Drive, Suite 100, Oroville, CA 95965 | Call before visiting if you need a specific form, record or staff member. |
| Assessor phone | (530) 552-3800 | Call the Assessor |
| Lobby hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, excluding holidays | The official page lists phone service from 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. |
| Parcel search | Search by APN or street address through county-linked ParcelQuest Lite | Open official parcel-search instructions |
| GIS parcel tool | APN or address search with zoning, flood, fire, district and land-use layers | Open the official parcel tool page |
| Property Tax Division | 25 County Center Drive, Suite 125; phone (530) 552-3720 | Open property-tax payment information |
| Recorded documents | Handled by the Butte County Clerk-Recorder | Open official record lookup guidance |
How to Use the Butte County Assessor Property Search
The online parcel search is intended for current secured-roll property values and Assessor parcel maps. It is the best starting point when you need an assessed value, APN, situs address, abbreviated legal description or current exemption amount.
The county page explains what the search contains and links to ParcelQuest Lite, a private platform working with the county.
APN search is usually the cleanest route for vacant land, agricultural parcels, rebuilding lots, rural foothill property and records with unusual street formatting.
Begin with house number and street name. Remove ZIP code, punctuation, unit details and unnecessary street-type words if the first search fails.
Record the APN, parcel status, situs address, legal-description summary, land value, improvement value, exemption and total assessed value.
Compare the APN with the tax bill, GIS viewer, deed, recorded map, permit file and closing documents.
How Butte County APN and Parcel Map References Work
Butte County Assessor parcel maps are organized by Book, Page and Parcel. Those map references correspond to the first three parts of the APN. For example, the official county explanation states that APN 036-011-015 is associated with Book 36, Page 01 and Parcel 15.
| APN Segment | Example | Map Meaning | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| First group | 036 | Book 36 | Narrows the search to the correct Assessor map book. |
| Second group | 011 | Page 01 | Points to the page within the map book. |
| Third group | 015 | Parcel 15 | Identifies the assessment parcel shown on that page. |
Where to Find the APN
How to Research Owner Names and Recorded Ownership
The county’s public Assessor search is described as an APN-or-address lookup. Do not assume that a third-party owner-name result proves current ownership. When ownership matters, locate the parcel first and then verify recorded documents through the Clerk-Recorder.
Search by APN or address, then contact the Assessor when you need clarification about ownership processing, mailing information or property characteristics.
Search possible spelling variations of party names and use the document number when ordering a complete official record.
How to Use Butte County GIS for Zoning, Flood, Fire and Parcel Research
Butte County provides several GIS-enabled maps. Depending on the viewer, available layers may include parcels, addresses, county-maintained roads, flood zones, benchmarks, zoning, General Plan designations, Williamson Act property, State Responsibility Areas, supervisorial districts, building permits, code cases and land-use applications.
Use the parcel tool to ask whether the property is in a city or unincorporated county and to check zoning, flood and fire-related layers.
The Public Works GIS page links to maps containing parcels, addresses, county-maintained roads, flood zones, benchmarks and recorded-map information.
The Clerk-Recorder provides copies of recorded assessment, survey, parcel and subdivision maps.
How to View, Print and Pay Butte County Property Taxes
The Assessor values property but does not establish tax rates, calculate tax amounts or collect taxes. The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Property Tax Division handles bills, current balances, payments, receipts, delinquency and payment plans.
Search by fee parcel, assessment number or street address.
A fee-parcel search can show current or delinquent fiscal-year assessments that are outstanding or were paid during the current fiscal year.
The official portal warns that an assessment-number search may not display every outstanding assessment.
Try directional initials such as N, E, S or W, and remove words such as Street, Road, Drive or Lane.
Keep the bill, confirmation number, email, screenshot, payment method and bank evidence.
Current Online Payment Fees
| Payment Method | Current Officially Listed Fee | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| E-check | No service fee | The county recommends the official e-check service instead of a bank’s bill-pay system. |
| Credit card | 2.30% of the total charged | Review the complete amount and late fees before submitting because processed payments cannot be reversed. |
| Debit card | $3.49 per transaction | Verify the vendor fee and payment total on the final screen. |
| Monthly Easy Smart Pay | E-check free; debit/credit card 1.99% | This is a separate monthly-payment option; review enrollment terms before using it. |
Verify current payment methods and fees
Butte County Property Tax Due Dates
| Tax Event | Standard Date | Late Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| First secured installment due | November 1 | A 10% penalty is added after 5:00 PM on December 10; qualifying online payments are accepted through midnight on the final due date. |
| Second secured installment due | February 1 | A 10% penalty plus an additional $44 charge is added after 5:00 PM on April 10. |
| Unsecured tax due | August 31 | A 10% penalty and additional monthly interest or lien-related fees may apply. |
| Final current-year delinquent payment | June 30 | Payment must be received by the office; a June 30 postmark is not accepted. |
Check official tax due dates and penalty rules
What New Butte County Property Owners Should Check
A tax bill may still be mailed to the prior owner after a recent purchase, but the new owner remains responsible for timely payment. A change in ownership may also create one or more supplemental property tax bills.
Search the tax portal or contact the Tax Collector if a bill has not arrived before the next payment deadline.
The supplemental bill reflects the value difference between the prior assessment and the new reassessed value, prorated from the ownership-change date.
Many lenders do not pay supplemental bills from the regular escrow account unless arrangements are made.
Homeowners’ Exemption, Disabled Veterans and Proposition 19
The Assessor applies legal property-tax exemptions and qualifying reassessment exclusions. Use the current county or California form rather than an old download from a private website.
| Program | Who It May Help | Important Timing | Official Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeowners’ Exemption | A qualifying owner who occupies the property as a principal residence on January 1 | February 15 is the normal full-exemption filing deadline; late filing may be available through December 10. | Review Butte County exemptions |
| Disabled Veterans’ Exemption | Qualifying disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses | Verify disability, income tier, residency, ownership and filing requirements. | Open current Assessor forms |
| Proposition 19 base-year transfer | Qualifying homeowners age 55 or older, severely disabled owners and disaster victims | Claims filed within three years may receive full retrospective benefit when all requirements are met. | Review Butte County Proposition 19 guidance |
| Inherited principal residence | Qualifying parent-child or grandparent-grandchild transfers under current Proposition 19 rules | A qualifying heir generally must occupy the property and file for a Homeowners’ or Disabled Veterans’ Exemption within one year for full benefit. | Check inheritance-transfer rules |
Wildfire, Flood and Calamity Property Tax Relief
A Butte County property damaged by wildfire, flood, storm or another qualifying misfortune may be eligible for a temporary reassessment. This is particularly important for owners in Paradise, Magalia, Concow, Berry Creek and other fire-affected or rural areas.
Save dated photographs, inspection reports, insurance documents, repair estimates, permit records and evidence showing the condition before and after the event.
The official county guidance requires at least $10,000 in damage to taxable property, measured by the reduction in current market value rather than replacement cost alone.
The completed application must generally be filed within 12 months of the misfortune or calamity. The county recommends filing within 60 days when possible.
A reassessment application does not automatically cancel an installment, delinquency date or payment obligation.
Appraisal Review, Decline-in-Value Request and Formal Assessment Appeal
If you disagree with the assessed value, first determine whether the problem is a factual error, a market-value decline, a supplemental assessment, a change-of-ownership issue, new construction or calamity reassessment.
Record the APN, land value, improvement value, exemption, assessment year and notice date.
Butte County allows property owners to file an Application for Appraisal Review in person, by mail or by email. The county warns that this service is free despite private solicitations that may charge a fee.
Use relevant comparable sales, photographs, maps, repair records, appraisals, income information or other evidence supporting your opinion of value.
Do not assume that informal Assessor discussions extend the Assessment Appeals Board filing period.
Butte County Assessment Appeal Filing Windows
| Assessment Type | Current Official Filing Window | Important Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Regular assessment | July 2 through November 30 | Application, parcel information and independent value evidence |
| Supplemental, roll change or escape assessment | Generally 60 days from the applicable notice | Notice, envelope, reassessment event and comparable evidence |
| Calamity reassessment | Six-month appeal period under the applicable state rules | Calamity decision, damage records and market-value evidence |
| Hearing exhibits | Prepare before the scheduled hearing | The county instructs applicants to bring seven copies of exhibits rather than originals. |
Verify current appeal instructions and deadlines
How to Search Butte County Deeds, Liens and Recorded Maps
The Clerk-Recorder records real-property transactions, financing statements and maps. Its online index acts like a library catalog: it helps identify documents but should not replace review of the underlying record.
Use the Assessor record, deed, closing statement or tax bill to prepare the search.
The Recorder advises users to search all possible spelling variations and other available criteria.
You will need the party name and Document ID when ordering a real-estate record copy online.
The Recorder sells complete documents rather than selected individual pages.
Official Record Copy Fees Listed by the Recorder
| Copy Type | Current Listed Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy, first page | $10.00 |
| Certified copy, each additional page | $2.50 |
| Regular copy, first page | $5.00 |
| Regular copy, each additional page | $2.50 |
| Digital format | $12.00 |
Verify current copy fees and ordering instructions
Property Search Tips for Chico, Oroville, Paradise and Rural Butte County
For homes, condos and commercial property, simplify the street address, locate the APN and then compare zoning, permits and tax records.
Use the APN for Assessor and GIS research and the fee parcel or assessment number for tax-account questions.
Compare current improvement value, permits, GIS fire layers, recorded ownership, tax bills and any prior property-damage reassessment.
A farm or rural holding can involve several APNs, land-use designations, Williamson Act status and separate tax assessments.
Check recorded easements, county-maintained roads, fire protection, water, septic, slope, utilities and surveyed boundaries separately.
Some vacant parcels have no situs address. Match the APN across the map, deed, tax bill and recorded legal description.
Decision Table: If You Need This, Use This Office or Tool
| Your Task | Correct Office or Tool | What to Prepare | Official Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find APN, assessed value or parcel characteristics | Butte County Assessor parcel search | APN or property address | Open parcel-search guidance |
| Check zoning, flood, fire or county-road layers | Butte County GIS parcel tool | APN, address or map location | Open parcel tool |
| View, print or pay property tax bill | Treasurer-Tax Collector | Fee parcel, assessment number or street address | Open tax search |
| Request decline-in-value review | Butte County Assessor | APN, assessment record, comparable sales and condition evidence | Review appraisal-review steps |
| File a formal value appeal | Assessment Appeals Board | Application, notice, independent evidence and filing deadline | Review appeal requirements |
| Apply for wildfire or calamity reassessment | Butte County Assessor | APN, damage date, photographs, estimates and insurance records | Open calamity-relief guidance |
| Find deed, lien or recorded map | Butte County Clerk-Recorder | Party names, date range, document type, ID or APN | Review official record lookup |
Butte County Assessor Contact Information and Office Map
Assessor: Alyssa Douglass
Address: 25 County Center Drive, Suite 100, Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 552-3800
Fax: (530) 538-7991
Lobby: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Phone service: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Address: 25 County Center Drive, Suite 125, Oroville, CA 95965
Phone: (530) 552-3720
Lobby: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Treasurer-Tax Collector: Troy Kidd
Have the assessment number, fee parcel, tax year and payment confirmation ready before calling.
Documents to Prepare Before Searching, Filing, Paying or Visiting
Common Butte County Property Search Mistakes
Vacant and rural parcels may not have an address. Use the APN and GIS map.
Use fee parcel when you need the broader current-year summary.
GIS layers do not prove exact boundaries, easements, access or building approval.
Use the phone numbers and links published by the Tax Collector and verify unexpected live-agent calls.
The Butte County Assessor provides property-value review without a private filing-service charge.
A transfer can create a new assessed value and separate supplemental bills.
Butte County Property Search Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Reason | What to Try Next |
|---|---|---|
| Address search returns no result | Vacant parcel, rural situs, abbreviation or street-format mismatch | Remove street type and ZIP code or use the APN from the bill, deed or GIS map. |
| Tax search shows only one bill | A specific assessment number was used | Repeat the search using fee parcel for the broader current-year summary. |
| Payment confirmation exists but balance remains | Processing delay, bank rejection or wrong assessment | Do not pay twice until the Tax Collector verifies the payment and confirmation. |
| Assessor owner and deed appear different | Recording and Assessor systems may update on different timelines | Verify the recorded deed number and ask the Assessor about processing status. |
| GIS line conflicts with fence or road | Mapping tolerance, easement, encroachment or unsurveyed improvement | Review recorded maps and obtain a licensed boundary survey. |
| Rebuilt improvement is missing or incorrect | Permit, completion or assessment processing may still be underway | Compare building permits and contact the Assessor with the APN and completion details. |
Butte County Buyer and Owner Due-Diligence Checklist
Butte County Assessor Search: Direct Answers
| What can I search in the Assessor system? | Search by Assessor Parcel Number or street address through the county-linked ParcelQuest Lite system. |
| What should I use for vacant land? | Use the APN because many vacant parcels do not have a searchable street address. |
| Which number gives the broadest tax summary? | Use the fee parcel to view current or delinquent fiscal-year assessments connected with the parcel. |
| Who handles tax payments? | The Butte County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Property Tax Division handles bills, balances, payments, penalties and payment plans. |
| Where do I find deeds and liens? | Use the Butte County Clerk-Recorder Official Records search and order the complete document when needed. |
| Is the parcel map a legal survey? | No. Assessor and GIS parcel maps are assessment and reference tools, not surveyed legal boundaries. |
Official Source Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Butte County property records?
Use the official Butte County parcel-search page and search through ParcelQuest Lite by APN or street address. Save the APN from the correct parcel result.
Can I search a Butte County parcel by owner name?
The official public Assessor search is described as an APN-or-address search. For recorded ownership, use the Clerk-Recorder’s Official Records search and verify the underlying deed.
How do I find a vacant parcel without an address?
Use the APN from the tax bill, deed, recorded map or listing documents. You can also use Butte County GIS to identify a likely parcel and then verify it against official assessment and recorded records.
What information appears in the parcel detail?
The official county description says parcel details may include APN, property status, situs address, abbreviated legal description, land value, improvement value, exemption amount and total assessed value.
Who handles Butte County property tax payments?
The Butte County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Property Tax Division handles property tax bills, balances, payments, receipts, penalties and delinquent-tax questions.
What are the Butte County online tax payment fees?
The county currently lists free e-check payments, a 2.30% credit-card fee and a $3.49 debit-card fee for the regular online system. Verify the final fee before paying.
What are the secured property tax due dates?
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. Verify weekend, holiday and online-payment rules on the official due-date page.
Is Butte County GIS a legal property survey?
No. GIS and Assessor maps are reference tools. Use recorded maps, title records and a licensed land surveyor for exact boundaries, easements or encroachments.
How do I request a lower assessed value?
File the Assessor’s Application for Appraisal Review and provide evidence supporting your opinion of value. The appraisal-review service is available without paying a private filing company.
When can I file a Butte County assessment appeal?
The regular assessment appeal period is July 2 through November 30. Supplemental, escape and other special assessments generally have shorter filing periods tied to the notice date.
What property damage may qualify for calamity relief?
A qualifying misfortune or calamity must generally cause at least $10,000 in current market-value damage to taxable property. The application normally must be filed within 12 months, although earlier filing is recommended.
How do I obtain a Butte County deed or lien document?
Use the Clerk-Recorder Official Records search, identify the correct document and order the complete regular or certified copy through the official process.
Your Best Next Step
Start with the APN or a simplified property address. Use the Assessor for parcel values and exemptions, GIS for map and land-use context, the Tax Collector for bills and payment, the Assessment Appeals Board for formal value disputes and the Clerk-Recorder for deeds, liens and recorded maps. Save every confirmation and verify taxes, ownership, wildfire history, access, boundaries and development rules before paying, filing, appealing, purchasing, rebuilding or relying on the record for legal use.