Chico's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Chico, California, there are 8 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.

Grass Height Limits

Chico has no fixed grass-height number in its code. Instead, weeds, rubbish, and dry vegetation are declared a public nuisance and abated each year through the City's annual Lot Clearing and Weed Abatement Program, authorized by California Government Code §39501 et seq. and administered through CMC Chapter 1.14 nuisance abatement procedures.

Key details: Local authority: CMC Ch. 1.14 (Nuisance Abatement). State authority: Cal. Gov't Code §§39501-39588. Program: Annual Lot Clearing & Weed Abatement Program. Cost recovery: Special assessment / property tax lien.

After the resolution and required notice, parcels that are not cleared by the deadline are abated by a City contractor. The cost (plus an administrative charge) is reported to Council, confirmed, and placed as a special assessment / lien on the tax roll under Cal. Gov't Code §39574. Continuing nuisance violations may also be charged through administrative citations under CMC Chapter 1.14.

Weed Ordinances

Each year the Chico City Council declares weeds, rubbish, refuse, and debris on private parcels a public nuisance and orders abatement under Cal. Gov't Code §§39501-39588. The program runs through Code Enforcement and CMC Chapter 1.14 procedures. Owners receive notice, a hearing, and a deadline; missed parcels are mowed by City contractors and billed back as a tax-roll lien.

Key details: State authority: Cal. Gov't Code §§39501-39588. Local procedure: CMC Ch. 1.14. Program timing: Annual spring resolution and notices. Enforcement: Chico Code Enforcement, Community Development.

Failure to abate after notice results in City-contracted abatement and a lien for the costs plus administrative charges. Repeat or aggravated violations can be charged as administrative citations under CMC Ch. 1.14 or as misdemeanors under Cal. Gov't Code §39501.

This is one of the stricter rules in Chico's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Tree Trimming

Chico has one of the stronger urban-forest ordinances in inland California. CMC Chapter 16.66 (Tree Preservation Regulations) requires a Tree Removal Permit for protected and heritage trees, and CMC Chapter 14.40 governs the urban forestry program covering street trees. Topping, severe pruning, or removal without a permit is a violation.

Key details: Tree preservation: CMC Ch. 16.66. Permit required: CMC §16.66.060 (Tree Removal Permit). Street trees: CMC Ch. 14.40 - Park Division permit. Contact: Chico Urban Forestry / Street Trees Division.

Removing or fatally damaging a protected tree without a permit is a misdemeanor and a public nuisance under CMC Ch. 1.14, with mitigation/replacement trees ordered. Damaging a street tree can also trigger civil cost-recovery for the appraised value of the tree under the City's adopted ISA Trunk Formula Method.

Compared to other cities, Chico takes a harder line on tree trimming. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Native Plants

Under CMC §19.68.050 and §19.68.070, at least 90% of plants in non-turf areas must be suited to Chico's climate and require minimal water once established. Species must be drawn from the 'very low' or 'low' WUCOLS categories (with limited 'moderate'), and turf areas must be under 10% of total landscape area. New landscapes meeting MWELO thresholds must submit a Landscape Documentation Package.

Key details: Local code: CMC §§19.68.050, 19.68.070. Climate-suited plants: ≥90% of non-turf area. Species source: WUCOLS low/very-low categories. State authority: MWELO (23 CCR §490 et seq.) / AB 1881.

Failure to submit a compliant Landscape Documentation Package halts building/landscape permit final sign-off. Post-installation deviations are violations of CMC Ch. 19.68 enforceable under CMC Ch. 1.14, including monetary administrative penalties and orders to bring the site into compliance.

This is one of the stricter rules in Chico's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Water Restrictions

Most Chico residents are served by California Water Service (Cal Water). Under Cal Water's Water Shortage Contingency Plan (CPUC Rule 14.1), outdoor irrigation is limited to two days per week, watering between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. is prohibited, no watering within 48 hours of rain, and leaks must be repaired within 5 days of notification.

Key details: Water provider: California Water Service - Chico District. Watering days (Stage 2): Two assigned days per week. Prohibited hours: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.. State authority: 23 CCR §§995-997; Cal. Water Code §10632.

Cal Water issues a courtesy warning letter for a first violation, then a $50 fine, then $100, then can install a flow-restricting device on the meter. Statewide State Water Board violations can carry fines up to $500 per day under Cal. Water Code §1058.5. Report water waste to Cal Water Chico at (530) 894-4444.

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

Rainwater Harvesting

Chico has no ordinance prohibiting rainwater catchment. California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750, Cal. Water Code §10574) authorizes residential, commercial, and government landowners to install rooftop rainwater capture systems without a state water-right permit. Small rain barrels are unregulated; larger cisterns must meet California Plumbing Code (CCR Title 24, Part 5) and city building-permit thresholds.

Key details: State authority: Cal. Water Code §10574 (AB 1750). Permit threshold (drip-irrigation cistern): Up to 5,000 gallons typically exempt. Permit threshold (spray-irrigation): Over 360 gallons requires permit. Use restriction: Non-potable / landscape only.

Operating a large cistern (over the CPC permit threshold) without a permit is a building-code violation enforceable under CMC Title 16 and CMC Ch. 1.14. Using captured rainwater for potable purposes without proper treatment violates the California Plumbing Code and Health & Safety Code.

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

Artificial Turf

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) prohibits potable water for irrigating purely ornamental turf at CII properties, and AB 1164 (Civil Code §1940.10) protects homeowners from HOA bans on synthetic grass. Local landscape standards under CMC §19.68.070 still cap living turf at under 10% of landscape area.

Key details: Local turf cap (living): <10% of landscape area (CMC §19.68.070). Ornamental turf ban: Cal. Water Code §10608.14 (AB 1572). HOA protection: Cal. Civil Code §4735(c). Artificial turf allowed: Yes, with drainage / design compliance.

Installations that violate setback or drainage rules in CMC Title 19 can be cited under CMC Ch. 1.14. HOAs that violate Civil Code §4735(c) face civil action by homeowners.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Chico is a Tree City with a strong tree-preservation ordinance; removing protected or heritage trees, including many on private property, requires a city tree-removal permit with replacement/mitigation. Street-tree removal requires city approval.

Key details: Protected Trees: Removal permit required. Replacement: Required. Street Trees: City approval. Authority: Urban Forestry.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

This is one of the stricter rules in Chico's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Chico is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 5 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Chico, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Chico's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.