SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington D.C. 20549


                                   FORM 8 - K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 27, 2005
                                                         ----------------


                              NORTH VALLEY BANCORP
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          CALIFORNIA                    0-10652                94-2751350
  ----------------------------       -------------       ----------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction       (File Number)          (I.R.S. Employer
        of incorporation)                                identification number)


                    300 Park Marina Circle, Redding, CA 96001
              -----------------------------------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)


                                 (530) 226-2900
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



      Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
      simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any
      of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.below):

[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)
[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)
[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13c-4(c))


        Item 8.01:   Other Events

        On January 27, 2005, the registrant issued a Press Release, "North
Valley Bancorp reports earnings results for the three- and twelve- months ending
December 31, 2004. Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.74 and incorporated herein by
this reference is said Press Release dated January 27, 2005.


        Item 9.01:   Financial Statements and Exhibits

              (c)    Exhibits
                     --------

            (99.74)  News Release of North Valley Bancorp dated January 27, 2005
                     -----------------------------------------------------------





                                    SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                           NORTH VALLEY BANCORP


                                           By: /s/ EDWARD J. CZAJKA
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Edward J. Czajka
Dated:  January 27, 2005                       EVP & Chief Financial Officer