Construction hours in Chico, CA — sometimes called construction noise rules or contractor work-hour ordinances — set when contractors can run power tools, hammers, and heavy equipment.
Under CMC §9.38.060 categorical exemptions, construction is permitted 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. For new residential development and for work in commercial/industrial zones, an extended summer window (June 15–Sept 15) allows a 6 a.m. start on non-Sunday/holiday days. Construction equipment must stay under 83 dBA at 25 ft and 86 dBA at the property line.
Construction, alteration, and repair of structures are exempted from the standard residential dB caps during specified hours by CMC §9.38.060: 7 a.m.–9 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. A heat-season carve-out for new residential development projects, and for construction/alteration/repair in commercial or industrial zones from June 15 through September 15 of each calendar year, allows work from 6 a.m.–9 p.m. on non-Sunday/holiday days (and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sundays/holidays). Even during permitted hours, no individual piece of equipment may exceed 83 dBA at a distance of 25 feet, and the cumulative noise level at any point outside the project's property plane may not exceed 86 dBA. Outside the permitted hours, the standard §9.38.030 residential limits (70/60 dBA) apply.
Working outside permitted hours, or exceeding the 83/86 dBA equipment caps, subjects the contractor and property owner to citation under CMC §9.38.054. Stop-work orders may issue for repeated violations.
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 construction hours rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.