Public Conduct in Chico, CA (2026)
9 verified public conduct rules for Chico, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Aggressive Panhandling
Chico bans aggressive panhandling under Municipal Code Chapter 9.54: soliciting within three feet, blocking a person's path, following someone, or using violent gestures or profanity to solicit money is unlawful citywide.
Chico Aggressive Solicitation Ban
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 9.54.030
A person may not solicit: A. By coming within three feet of the person solicited, until that person has indicated that he or she wishes to make a donation; B. By intentionally blocking or interfering with the passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means...; E. By using violent or threatening gestures toward a person solicited either before, during, or after soliciting; F. By using profane or...
Public Urination
Chico makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate anywhere in public - on any street, lot, or spot exposed to view - outside a proper restroom, citywide.
Chico Public Urination Defecation Ban
Heavy RestrictionsChico Municipal Code Section 9.26.010
No person shall deposit, by means of urination or defecation, any human waste material in any public place (other than in a public toilet or restroom designed to receive waste material), in any place exposed to public view, or upon the surface of the ground or upon any premises, lot, or public street.
Skateboarding Rules
Chico bans skateboards, roller skates, and scooters, defined as 'coasting devices', from most public streets, downtown sidewalks, parking structures, and the municipal center, allowing them only on low-speed residential streets, bikeways, and crosswalks.
Chico Skateboard and Coasting Device Rules
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 10.45.020
No person shall use or ride upon a coasting device on any public street except the following streets or portions of a street: A. Any street which has a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less and located within a residential zoning district; B. Petersen Memorial Drive (North Park Drive) and South Park Drive; C. That portion of any public street marked as a bikeway; and D. That portion of any p...
Loud Party Ordinance
Chico bans gatherings of 20 or more people that cause a substantial neighborhood disturbance, defining it to include noise complaints, and holds hosts and property owners civilly liable for police and fire response costs.
Unruly Gathering Rules in Chico, CA
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 9.40.020(E)
"Unruly gathering" shall mean a gathering of twenty or more persons on private property that results in conduct that causes a "substantial disturbance" of the quiet enjoyment of private or public property in a significant segment of a neighborhood or presents a threat to the health and safety of those in attendance... conduct that causes a substantial disturbance shall include, but is not limit...
Loitering Rules
Chico bans sitting or lying on public sidewalks, curbs, or streets in commercial areas from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with fines up to $300 for repeat violations, under Municipal Code § 9.44.015.
Chico Sidewalk Sit-Lie Ban
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 9.44.015
No person shall sit or lie down upon a public sidewalk, curb or street, or upon a blanket, stool, chair or other object placed upon a public sidewalk, curb or street which is adjacent to any property zoned or used for commercial uses, as defined in Title 19 of this Code, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. ... A fine not exceeding $100 for a first violation. A fine not exceeding $200 ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Chico bans smoking, including vaping, within 20 feet of doorways, windows or other openings into places where smoking is already prohibited, and separately bans it in all outdoor cafes serving alcohol.
Chico Outdoor Smoking Buffer Rule
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 8.28.053
Smoking shall be prohibited in all unenclosed areas located within 20 feet of the doorway or operable window, or other opening, into any enclosed area, place of employment or outdoor café in which smoking is prohibited by this chapter, except while actively passing by on the way to another destination and provided that smoke does not enter any of those areas where smoking is prohibited.
Jaywalking
In Chico's central traffic and business districts, pedestrians must cross only at a marked crosswalk: jaywalking there violates Municipal Code §10.35.030, though the rule doesn't extend citywide.
Chico Crosswalk Rule Downtown Business Zone
Light RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 10.35.030
No pedestrian shall cross a street at other than a crosswalk in any central traffic or business district.
Public Marijuana Use
Chico bans consuming or using cannabis on public property or anywhere accessible to or visible from the public, including smoking, vaping, eating, or drinking it.
Chico Bans Public Cannabis Use
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 5.42.300(A)(3)(ii)
It is unlawful for any person: ... 3. To consume or use cannabis or cannabis products, whether by smoking, vaping, inhaling, eating, drinking or any other means: ... ii. In, on or about any publicly owned or operated property; any place open to, or accessible by the public; any place smoking is prohibited; or any place visible from any public place with normal unaided vision;
Public Alcohol Use
Chico bans possessing an open alcoholic beverage container or drinking on public streets, sidewalks, and parking lots, plus posted private commercial and multi-unit residential lots, under Municipal Code Section 9.30.030.
Open Container Law in Chico, CA
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 9.30.030
[I]t shall be unlawful for any person to possess an open alcoholic beverage container upon any of the following properties within the city: 1. Upon any public street, sidewalk, alley, parking lot, or other property which is owned by or leased to the city and open to members of the general public... 5. All city properties designated as city parks and playgrounds pursuant to Section 12.04.010 of ...
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