Chico Municipal Code §10.20.200 restricts storage and parking of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers on city streets and public rights-of-way. Cross-reference with CMC §9.20.030 (unlawful camping) which limits overnight occupancy of RVs/trailers parked on streets to seven days when in front of a residence the occupant is staying at or has permission from. Stays beyond that, or anywhere else overnight in an RV/trailer within city limits, are prohibited and enforced by Chico Police and Code Enforcement.
Chico Municipal Code (CMC) Chapter 10.20 (Parking — Generally) and specifically §10.20.200 governs the storage and parking of vehicles, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, and trailers on city streets and public rights-of-way. The on-street RV/trailer rule operates alongside CMC §9.20.030 (Unlawful camping), which makes it unlawful to camp overnight in a trailer or recreational vehicle on any public street, public property, or public right-of-way, with a narrow exception allowing occupancy of an RV/trailer parked in front of a residence the occupant is staying at — or has the resident's permission — for up to seven consecutive days. Chico Police began coordinated RV/trailer enforcement around Comanche Creek and similar public areas under these provisions. Storage on private residential property is regulated by Title 19 (Land Use), including front-setback rules under Ch. 19.60 (general property development standards) and Ch. 19.76 (accessory uses). Title 19 generally requires that RVs and boats stored on a residential lot be located behind the front setback line or in a screened side/rear yard; storage in the public right-of-way (sidewalk, parkway strip) is not permitted. Chico's posture reflects a moderate approach: storage is allowed on residential property if setback and screening rules are met, but on-street use is closely policed — particularly post-2018 Camp Fire when displaced households increased RV-as-housing pressure.
On-street violations of §10.20.200 are infractions citable by Chico Police; vehicles may be tagged and towed for extended storage on the street. Unlawful camping under §9.20.030 is a misdemeanor (or infraction at officer discretion) with fines plus potential removal. Code Enforcement handles complaints about RVs/boats stored in front yards or visible from the street outside Title 19 setback/screening rules — abatement notices and daily penalties may follow.
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