Chico's Accessory Structures: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles accessory structures a little differently. In Chico, California, there are 9 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

ADU Rules

Chico Municipal Code §19.76.130 authorizes ADUs on every R-zoned lot consistent with state law (Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2). Detached ADUs are capped at 16 ft height; attached ADUs may reach 25 ft. Statewide-exempt ADUs up to 800 sq ft are by-right with 4 ft side/rear setbacks. Larger ADUs on multifamily lots are capped at 850 sq ft (1 BR) or 1,000 sq ft (2 BR). Minimum efficiency unit = 150 sq ft. Post-Camp-Fire, Chico stripped out barriers to ADU production.

Key details: Code Section: Chico Municipal Code §19.76.130. State Law: Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2 (statewide ADU preemption). Max Floor Area (statewide-exempt): 800 sq ft. Max Height (detached): 16 ft. Max Height (attached): 25 ft.

Permits issued ministerial under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2 (60-day clock). Building without a permit triggers CMC Title 16 enforcement: stop-work order, double permit fees, and possible Code Enforcement abatement under CMC §1.32. Conversion of unpermitted ADU back to compliance is the standard remedy.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Chico gives residents more flexibility on adu rules.

ADU Rental Restrictions

Under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6) and CMC §19.76.130, an ADU may not be rented for terms of less than 30 days. Short-term/vacation rental of an ADU is prohibited in Chico. The primary dwelling and ADU cannot be sold separately (AB 1033 condo-conversion opt-in has not been adopted by Chico). Long-term leases (≥30 days) are unrestricted and not subject to additional licensing beyond the standard CMC Title 5 business license for residential rental property.

Key details: Code Section: CMC §19.76.130; Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6). Minimum Rental Term: 30 days. Short-Term Rental of ADU: Prohibited. Separate Sale: Not allowed (AB 1033 not adopted by Chico). Rent Control: AB 1482 applies (ADU >15 yrs old): 5% + CPI cap.

Renting an ADU for <30 days violates CMC §19.76.130. Enforcement via Code Enforcement under CMC §1.32: administrative citation, civil penalty up to $1,000/day per violation, and zoning abatement. Property listed on Airbnb/VRBO for <30-day stays is presumptive evidence of violation.

ADU Permits

Chico processes ADU applications ministerially via Community Development per CMC §19.76.130 and Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(b). No discretionary hearing, no public notice, no CEQA. Statutory clock: 60 days from a complete application. Applicants may request Zoning Clearance for the site plan or submit directly to Building Division. Plans must show floor area, setbacks, height, and utility connections. Permitting fee schedule is set by Council resolution.

Key details: Code Section: CMC §19.76.130; Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(b). Review Type: Ministerial — no hearing, no CEQA. Approval Timeline: 60 days statutory (deemed approved if late). Permitting Agency: Chico Community Development — Planning & Building Divisions. Submittal: Site plan, floor plan, elevations, Title 24 forms.

Beginning construction without permits violates CMC Title 16 and CBC §105 — stop-work order, double permit fees, possible abatement. State law (Gov. Code §65852.2) prohibits Chico from imposing discretionary conditions on a statewide-exempt ADU; applicants may appeal a wrongful denial to HCD.

Chico is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu permits. That said, there are still limits.

ADU Owner Occupancy

Under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6) (as amended by AB 587/AB 671), Chico cannot require owner-occupancy for an ADU permitted between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2024. JADUs (junior ADUs ≤500 sq ft inside the primary residence) require owner-occupancy of either the primary or JADU under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.22. Chico codified this dual standard in CMC §19.76.130 — no owner-occupancy for standard ADUs in the current window; owner-occupancy mandatory for JADUs and recorded in a deed restriction.

Key details: Standard ADU: No owner-occupancy required (per Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6)). JADU: Owner-occupancy of primary OR JADU required (Cal. Gov. Code §65852.22). Deed Restriction: Required for JADUs, recorded with Butte County Recorder. Sunset Window: ADU owner-occupancy waiver runs through Dec. 31, 2024 (check current law). Code Section: CMC §19.76.130; Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2 & §65852.22.

Failure to record the required JADU deed restriction blocks Certificate of Occupancy. Violating owner-occupancy for a JADU triggers Code Enforcement under CMC §1.32: notice of violation, administrative citation, and potential abatement (cease use as JADU). Standard ADUs have no occupancy enforcement during the 2020–2024 window.

Chico is more permissive than most cities when it comes to adu owner occupancy. That said, there are still limits.

Shed Rules

Chico Municipal Code §19.76.020 governs detached accessory structures including tool sheds. Sheds 120 sq ft or smaller without plumbing or electricity are exempt from a building permit but must still comply with zoning setbacks. Detached accessory structures may not exceed 15 ft in height and cannot be located in a front yard setback or closer than 10 ft from any property line adjoining a public street. Architectural compatibility with the main dwelling is required.

Key details: Code Section: CMC §19.76.020 (Accessory Uses and Structures). Permit Exemption Threshold: ≤120 sq ft, no plumbing/electricity. Max Height: 15 ft (up to 25 ft with use permit). Street-Side Setback: 10 ft minimum from any lot line adjoining public street. Front Yard: Prohibited.

Code enforcement issues notice of violation under CMC §19.76.020 for sheds placed in required setbacks, exceeding 15 ft, or installed with electrical/plumbing without permits. Sheds with utilities require a building permit per California Building Code Title 24. Continued violations may lead to administrative citations and removal orders.

ADU Impact Fees

Under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A), ADUs under 750 sq ft are statutorily exempt from impact fees (city, special-district, school, and water-corporation). ADUs at 750 sq ft and larger pay impact fees proportional to the ratio of ADU floor area to the primary dwelling. Chico's 2022–2030 Housing Element documents the City Council's 50% reduction of locally-controlled ADU impact fees on top of the state exemption — a direct post-Camp-Fire housing response.

Key details: ADU < 750 sq ft: Zero impact fees (Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A)). ADU ≥ 750 sq ft: Proportionate to primary (Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(B)). Chico Local Reduction: 50% off locally-controlled ADU impact fees (Housing Element 2022). School Fees: Apply only to ADUs >500 sq ft (Cal. Ed. Code §17620). Code Sections: CMC §19.76.130; Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f).

Charging impact fees on an ADU <750 sq ft is unlawful under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A) — applicants may request refund and HCD review. For larger ADUs, disputes over proportionality go through the standard Mitigation Fee Act protest process (Cal. Gov. Code §66020).

The rules around adu impact fees in Chico lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Garage Conversions

Chico Municipal Code §19.76.130 permits conversion of an existing attached or detached garage into an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in R1 and R2 zones. When a garage, carport, or covered parking structure is demolished or converted as part of ADU creation, the city cannot require replacement off-street parking. This aligns with California Government Code §66323. Conversions still require a building permit and must comply with CALGreen, Title 24 energy, and fire-rated wall standards. Owner-occupancy is not required for ADUs (eliminated post–Camp Fire to encourage housing).

Key details: Code Section: CMC §19.76.130 (Accessory Dwelling Units). Replacement Parking: Not required for garage converted to ADU. Permit Type: Ministerial (60-day approval). JADU Size Cap: 500 sq ft, owner-occupied required. Owner-Occupancy (ADU): Not required (eliminated post-2018).

Unpermitted garage-to-living-space conversions cited under CMC §19.76.130 and California Building Code §R110. Code enforcement may require the unit to be brought up to current code (insulation, egress windows, smoke/CO detectors, separate electrical) or restored to garage use. Civil penalties under CMC §1.16 apply for continued occupancy of unpermitted units.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Chico gives residents more flexibility on garage conversions.

Carport Rules

Chico Municipal Code §19.76.020 defines a carport as an attached or detached accessory building not enclosed on more than two sides, designed to shelter motor vehicles. Carports may not be located in front yard setbacks and must be set back at least 10 ft from any property line adjoining a public street. A garage entrance face approximately parallel to the lot line must be set back at least 20 ft from the property line providing driveway access to preserve off-street parking depth. Building permits are required.

Key details: Code Section: CMC §19.76.020 (definition includes carports). Max Height: 15 ft (detached accessory structure). Street-Side Setback: 10 ft minimum. Garage Door Driveway Setback: 20 ft minimum. Front Yard: Prohibited.

Carports built without permits or within required setbacks cited under CMC §19.76.020. Code enforcement may require relocation, removal, or retrofitting with WUI-compliant materials in fire zones. Driveway carports projecting toward the street within 20 ft of the property line violate the parking-depth standard.

Tiny Homes

Chico has no separate tiny-home ordinance; tiny dwellings are regulated under CMC §19.76.130 (ADUs) and California state law. A tiny home on a permanent foundation that meets the California Residential Code (Title 24, Part 2.5) may qualify as an ADU in R1/R2 zones (detached minimum 4 ft side/rear setback, max 1,200 sq ft). Tiny Houses on Wheels (THOWs) that do not meet HCD park trailer (HSC §18009.3) or manufactured home definitions are not legal full-time dwellings outside a permitted mobilehome/RV park, per HCD Information Bulletin 2016-01.

Key details: Code Section: CMC §19.76.130 + Cal. HSC §18009.3 (park trailers). Foundation: Permanent foundation required for ADU. ADU Min Setbacks: 4 ft side and rear. Max ADU Size: 1,200 sq ft detached. THOW Full-Time Dwelling: Not allowed outside mobilehome/RV parks.

Living in a THOW or RV as a permanent dwelling on a residential parcel cited under CMC §19.42 (residential zone uses) and CMC §19.76.130. Code enforcement may require removal of the unit or conversion to a permanent foundation. RV occupancy on private residential lots is limited under state and local law to temporary stays only.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Chico actively enforces its tiny homes requirements.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Chico gives residents more room on accessory structures. 5 of the 9 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Chico can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.