Animal Ordinances in Chico, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Chico, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Chico allows horses, cattle, goats, and other livestock on residential-zoned lots, but ties the number allowed to minimum site area and to setbacks under § 19.76.040.
Chico Backyard Livestock Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 19.76.040(E)(2)
Bulls, cows, goats, hogs, horses, pigs, and sheep shall not be kept within 25 feet of any side property line, nor within 50 feet of any adjacent street or occupied residences; and 3. Small animals shall not be kept within 20 feet of any occupied residences on adjacent parcels and may be kept within 10 feet of the owner’s occupied residence. Roosters shall not be allowed in the RS, R1, a...
Dog Leash Laws
Chico bans letting a dog run at large, on or off leash, in public or on someone else's property, unless it's in a city-designated off-leash exercise area.
Chico Dog Leash and At-Large Law
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 7.08.110
It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing or having the custody or control of a dog to allow or permit such dog, whether licensed or unlicensed, to be or run at large, provided that the term "at large" as defined by Section 7.08.010(I) shall not be deemed to apply where the following circumstances prevail:
Beekeeping
Chico allows honey bee hives only in RS and R1 residential zones, capped at one hive per 10,000 square feet of lot area and registered with Butte County.
Chico Backyard Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 19.76.040.C
The keeping of honey bees is permitted in the RS and R1 zoning districts as a form of small animal keeping subject to the following standards to minimize impacts to nearby residents or the public: 1. A maximum of one hive shall be allowed for each ten thousand (10,000) square feet of lot area; 2. Hive(s) shall be registered with the Butte County Agricultural Commissioner; ... 4. The location of...
Exotic Pets
Chico prohibits keeping any exotic, non-domesticated animal within city limits unless a zoning provision specifically allows it, and none does for wild or exotic pets.
Chico Bans Exotic Animals as Pets
Heavy RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 7.20.010
It is unlawful to keep within the city any animal of any species for any purpose except where specifically permitted in a particular zone by provisions of the zoning laws of the city. This provision does not apply to the riding or transporting of animals through the city.
Wildlife Feeding
Chico bans feeding wild or domestic animals anywhere in Bidwell Park, with narrow exceptions for feeding fowl at Horseshoe Lake and the Deer Pen and for owners feeding their own controlled pet.
Chico Bidwell Park Wildlife Feeding Ban
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 12.18.260
Except as provided in subsection B, below, no person shall feed or cause the feeding of any wild or domestic animals within Bidwell Park. No person shall leave food or containers of food for the purpose of feeding any animals within Bidwell Park. Unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter, feeding of fowl at Horseshoe Lake and the Deer Pen, and feeding of a domestic animal by its owner or hand...
Pet Limits
Chico caps household dogs at three per residence address; keeping a fourth dog turns the property into a 'kennel' requiring a separate city permit.
Chico Household Dog Limit Rule
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 19.76.040(B)
Dogs. No more than three dogs over the age of three months shall be kept or maintained at any one place of residence, as designated by a single street address number in the City. C. Bees. The keeping of honey bees is permitted in the RS and R1 zoning districts as a form of small animal keeping subject to the following standards to minimize impacts to nearby residents or the public: 1...
Pet Store Rules
Chico requires a permit for any pet shop or kennel, tied to compliance with California's Pet Store Animal Care Act and local standard-of-care rules, not a local retail sale ban.
Chico Pet Shop and Kennel Permit Law
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 7.24.030(A)
A pet shop or kennel permit shall be granted only after Animal Services or designee has determined: A. The pet shop or kennel meets the standards set forth in California Health and Safety Codes §§ 122350 et seq., is not in violation of Penal Code § 597, and meets the requirements set forth in § 7.24.110 ("Standard of Care Guidelines in Maintaining Pet Shop and Kennel") under this chapter;
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Chico's zoning code defines veterinary clinics and animal hospitals as a distinct land use and treats indoor versus outdoor kennel facilities differently across its commercial zoning districts.
Chico Zones Veterinary Clinics by District
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 19.04.020
Veterinary Clinics and Animal Hospitals (land use). Office and medical treatment facilities used by veterinarians, with indoor and/or outdoor kennel facilities. This use includes large and small animal veterinary clinics and animal hospitals. See also "Kennels and Animal Boarding." Visual simulation. An accurate, scaled graphic or other visual depiction of a development project in relation t...
Looking for Butte County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chico city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Butte County →