Special Events & Permits in Chico, CA (2026)
5 verified special events & permits rules for Chico, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
Chico regulates a block party as a 'public assembly' under Chapter 14.50, requiring a public works permit filed at least 5 business days before a street is closed to traffic.
Chico Block Party Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 14.50.020(B)
Public Assembly. The term “public assembly” means any organized activity on or within a city street, sidewalk or other public right-of-way which the public is invited to observe or participate in, except athletic events subject to Chapter 14.55 of this code, for which any public street is temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. C. Event. The term “event” means a parade or public assembly ...
Park Event Permits
Chico requires a director or park commission permit before hosting any private or public event in a city park facility, with filing deadlines up to 85 days out.
Chico Park Event Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code §§ 12R.10.050, 12R.10.090, 12R.10.100
Applications for a director or park commission permit shall be filed by a natural person who is 18 years of age or older... Applications requiring a director permit shall be filed in the office of the director at least 35 days prior to the date of such event... Applications requiring a park commission permit shall be filed... at least 85 days prior to the date of such event
Parade Permits
Chico requires a public works department permit before any parade closes a city street to traffic, filed 5 to 25 business days ahead depending on whether the route is city-designated.
Chico Parade Permit Required
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 14.50.050(A)
It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct, sponsor, or knowingly participate in any parade or public assembly unless a permit for such event has been issued pursuant to this chapter. B. This chapter shall not apply to any parade or public assembly conducted exclusively within the boundary of a city park or playground under the jurisdiction of the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission...
Street Fair Rules
Chico requires an administrative use permit before hosting a carnival, fair, festival, flea market, or swap meet lasting up to 10 days, or longer for arts, crafts, and agricultural sales events.
Chico Street Fair Use Permit
Significant RestrictionsChico Municipal Code § 19.22.030(A)
Carnivals, circuses, concerts, fairs, festivals, flea markets, food events, outdoor entertainment/sporting events rodeos, rummage sales, second-hand sales, and swap meets for up to 10 days; other events, including arts and crafts exhibits, and agricultural sales and events (such as pumpkin sales and corn mazes) for over 10 days; and farmers' market that don't meet the standards in Section 19.22...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants in Chico, California need a public works license to put tables and chairs in the sidewalk right-of-way, capped at two converted parking spaces.
Chico Outdoor Café Right-of-Way License
Some RestrictionsChico Municipal Code §§ 14.70.050, 14.70.060(B)(1)(a)
It is unlawful for any person to operate an outdoor café in the public right-of-way without a license issued pursuant to this chapter. ... No more than two parking spaces per license, located directly in front of or adjacent to the proposer's eating and/or drinking establishment, may be converted to widened sidewalk for use as an outdoor café.
Looking for Butte County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chico city rules.
Special Events & Permits in Butte County →