Chico, CA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Camping ban
- Public nuisance, city-wide
- Pre-citation step
- Officer must offer shelter first
- Property notice
- 24-hour posted warning
- Storage before disposal
- 90 days held
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor or infraction
Summary
Camping on public property anywhere in Chico, California is a public nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 9.20, and unlawfully stored belongings can be removed after a posted 24-hour notice, though officers must offer shelter first.
Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, it is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to camp on any public property or any private property which is not operated and maintained as a campground in conformance with the regulations set forth in Title 19 of this code. It is a violation of this section to set up provisions for the purpose of camping whether or not a full night is actually spent at the location.
B. The prohibition of this section shall not apply:
1. In the event of an emergency, including a city declared emergency or natural disaster, such as a flood or earthquake.
2. To events that are approved or sponsored by the city. (Ord. 2369; Ord. 2567 (part))
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico Municipal Code §9.20.030 makes it unlawful and a public nuisance to camp on public property, or on private property not run as a licensed campground under Title 19, with exceptions for declared emergencies and city-sponsored events. Before citing or arresting anyone, §9.20.070 requires an officer to orally warn the person, offer an available shelter space, and give transportation to it. Unlawfully stored personal property gets a 24-hour posted warning under §9.20.055, is inventoried and held 90 days, and is deemed abandoned and destroyable if unclaimed; items blocking ADA passage or posing an imminent health/safety threat may be moved or impounded without that notice.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 9.20 is a misdemeanor or infraction, enforced by criminal citation from the city attorney or an administrative citation under Chapter 1.15. It is an affirmative defense if the person promptly stops camping after an officer's warning, and §9.20.060 bars enforcement against an unsheltered individual when no shelter space is actually available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Chico police clear a campsite without warning?
What happens to belongings the city removes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California homelessness & encampment rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.