City of Chico parks — including the 3,670-acre Bidwell Park — restrict drone operations under CMC Title 12R; advance written permission is required. CARD-managed facilities prohibit drones outright except by prior written agreement. Adjacent Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park (CDPR Superintendent Order 645-385) bans all UAS launches and landings.
Chico's parks operate under two overlapping regimes. (1) City of Chico Parks — Bidwell Park and other municipal parks fall under CMC Title 12R, which governs aerial operations and other special uses; the Bidwell Park & Playground Commission has flagged drones for explicit policy guidance. Operations require written permission from the Parks Division. (2) Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) — a separate special district managing many neighborhood parks and sports complexes. CARD park rules prohibit voluntarily bringing, operating, or landing any aircraft, hot air balloon, parachute, hang glider, drone, or other aerial craft (except kites) in any CARD facility, with exceptions only for medical evacuation helicopters or prior written agreement with the District. (3) Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park (the adjacent state unit, separate from city Bidwell Park) is under California Department of Parks & Recreation Superintendent Order 645-385, which prohibits launching, landing, or operating powered UAS. Even where launch is permitted, FAA Part 107 / recreational rules still apply on top of park rules.
Park rule violations are infractions under CMC Title 12R (typically $100 first offense, escalating). CARD rule violations may result in trespass / exclusion from facility. State park UAS violation under PRC §5008 — fine up to $1,000 plus equipment seizure.
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