Chico does NOT require the operator/host to be physically present during STR stays. Instead, the administrative permit framework requires a designated local property manager available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to guest issues, noise complaints, or code violations.
Chico's STR rules treat 'host presence' through the lens of a local-contact obligation rather than a residency-on-site mandate. The administrative permit conditions issued by the Department of Development Services require operators to designate a property manager — who may be the owner themselves or a third-party agent — available around the clock. The local contact must be able to respond to complaints (typically within 30–60 minutes industry-standard for similar California permit regimes; Butte County uses 30 minutes for its unincorporated STRs per §24-172.1). Unhosted whole-house rentals are permitted provided the local-contact requirement is met along with TOT, business license, and occupancy/parking criteria. This contrasts with cities like San Francisco and Santa Monica that mandate physical host presence for most stays.
Failure to maintain a working local contact is a permit condition violation and grounds for administrative permit revocation. Persistent nuisance complaints (noise under CMC Ch. 9.38, parties, parking violations) can also trigger revocation.
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 host presence rule rules stack up against other locations.
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