Chico Municipal Code Title 6 (Animals) prohibits dogs from running at large. Dogs must be restrained on a leash or otherwise under physical control when off the owner's premises. Bidwell Park has dedicated off-leash areas; outside those, leash rules apply throughout city parks and public spaces.
Under Chico Municipal Code (CMC) Title 6 (Animals), it is unlawful for any owner to permit a dog to run at large within city limits. 'At large' means off the owner's premises and not restrained by a leash or under the immediate physical control of a competent person. Animal control is contracted through Butte County / Chico Animal Services; impoundment fees and reclaim charges apply when at-large dogs are picked up. In Bidwell Park (CMC Title 12), dogs must be leashed except in designated off-leash zones — including portions of upper park established by the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission. State law (Cal. Food & Agric. Code §30951) also requires that dogs running at large be impounded. Voice control is not a substitute for physical restraint in leash-required areas.
Running-at-large violations are infractions handled by Chico Animal Services; impound fees plus daily boarding apply. Repeat offenders may face misdemeanor charges. Off-leash violations in Bidwell Park outside designated zones may be cited under CMC Title 12 park-use rules.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chico, CA
Chico does not ban artificial turf and the City permits it as part of drought-tolerant landscapes. State law (AB 1572, Cal. Water Code §10608.14, eff. 2027) ...
Chico, CA
CMC §9.56.010 prohibits minors under 18 from loitering in public places between 10:00 PM (11:00 PM during Daylight Savings Time) and 5:00 AM unless accompani...
Chico, CA
CMC Chapter 9.54 (Aggressive and Deceptive Solicitation) bars solicitation at bus stops, in public transit vehicles, on public streets to occupied cars, with...
Chico, CA
Chico Municipal Code Chapter 19.23 regulates Mobile Food Vendors with a dedicated permit process covering applications, operating standards, and enforcement....
Chico, CA
City of Chico parks — including the 3,670-acre Bidwell Park — restrict drone operations under CMC Title 12R; advance written permission is required. CARD-man...
Chico, CA
Commercial drone work in Chico requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; the city does not issue separate commercial UAS permits. Operations on city...
See how Chico's dog leash laws rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.