Chico, CA Parking Rules: Street Parking Limits (2026)

Title 10 of the Chico Municipal Code regulates vehicles and traffic, with Chapter 10.20 ('Parking - Generally') setting baseline rules for stopping, standing, and storage on city streets and public rights-of-way. Specific restrictions include displaying vehicles for sale on or adjacent to a street (CMC 10.20.180 - prohibited), commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW (CMC 10.20.160 - no parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.), and Municipal Center parking restrictions (CMC 10.20.150). Preferential Parking Areas under Chapter 10.30 use resident-only permit zones, most notably in the south-campus neighborhoods around Cal State Chico to manage student spillover. Downtown metered blocks are governed by Chapter 10.25 (Parking Meters). Citywide, the California Vehicle Code applies: CVC 22500 bars parking on sidewalks, in front of any public or private driveway, within an intersection, or blocking a fire hydrant; AB 413 (effective Jan. 1, 2025, codified at CVC 22500(n)) adds the 20-foot 'daylighting' buffer at every crosswalk approach. Parking citations are handled by the City's Office of Parking Violations at 411 Main Street; administrative review must be requested within 21 days of issuance.