Chico, CA Noise Ordinances: Quiet Hours (2026)
Quiet hours in Chico, CA, also called the noise ordinance, nighttime noise rules, or residential quiet time, define the hours during which excessive noise is prohibited.
Key Facts
- Weeknight curfew
- 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Weekend curfew
- 12:01 a.m.-7 a.m.
- Warning skipped
- During curfew hours
- Repeat offense
- 180-day owner liability
Summary
Chico lets officers skip the warning step and cite immediately for nighttime noise, generally 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weeknights and after midnight on weekends.
an enforcement officer is not required to issue a warning and may issue a citation for a violation of section 9.38.030, 9.38.050 or 9.38.052 under any of the following circumstances:...2. The noise occurs between the following hours: a. 10:00 p.m. Sunday and 7:00 a.m. Monday;...f. 12:01 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Full Breakdown
Under Chico Municipal Code § 9.38.054(B), an enforcement officer normally gives a warning before citing a residential, public-property, or general noise violation, but that warning step can be skipped, and a citation issued directly, if the noise happens during set nighttime windows: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights, and 12:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday (giving Friday and Saturday nights a later cutoff before the stricter enforcement window kicks in). An officer can also skip the warning if they've already responded twice to the same location for unreasonable noise.
Violations & Fines
Citations during the listed nighttime hours (or after a second response) proceed straight to an infraction fine under Chico Municipal Code § 1.15.050, without a prior warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chico give a warning before citing noise complaints?
Are Chico's weekend noise curfew hours different?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
How Chico compares: Cities with the Strictest Noise Ordinances·California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California noise ordinances overview
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