Chico is enrolled in the State Water Board's statewide Phase II Small MS4 General Permit (Order WQ 2013-0001-DWQ, as amended). The city must prohibit non-stormwater discharges into the municipal storm-drain system and implement a six-program-element stormwater program (public education, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site runoff control, post-construction BMPs, and good housekeeping).
Only rainwater and a narrow list of allowed non-stormwater flows (landscape irrigation overspray, residential car washing, dechlorinated pool water, firefighting) may enter the MS4. Discharging motor oil, paint, sediment, soap, pet waste, food waste, or wash water into a gutter, storm drain, or roadside ditch is prohibited. New and redevelopment projects disturbing 1 acre or more must obtain coverage under the statewide Construction General Permit (Order 2022-0057-DWQ) and prepare a SWPPP. Post-construction projects creating or replacing 5,000+ sq ft of impervious surface must implement site-design, source-control, and treatment-control BMPs per Attachment 4 of the Phase II permit.
Illicit discharges are enforced by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board with administrative civil liability up to $10,000 per day per Water Code §13385, plus city cleanup-cost recovery. Failure to file a Notice of Intent before grading 1+ acre is a Water Code violation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Chico, CA
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) ...
Chico, CA
CMC §9.56.010 prohibits minors under 18 from loitering in public places between 10:00 PM (11:00 PM during Daylight Savings Time) and 5:00 AM unless accompani...
Chico, CA
CMC Chapter 9.54 (Aggressive and Deceptive Solicitation) bars solicitation at bus stops, in public transit vehicles, on public streets to occupied cars, with...
Chico, CA
Chico Municipal Code Chapter 19.23 regulates Mobile Food Vendors with a dedicated permit process covering applications, operating standards, and enforcement....
Chico, CA
City of Chico parks — including the 3,670-acre Bidwell Park — restrict drone operations under CMC Title 12R; advance written permission is required. CARD-man...
Chico, CA
Commercial drone work in Chico requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate; the city does not issue separate commercial UAS permits. Operations on city...
See how Chico's stormwater management rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.