Chico, CA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit issuer
- public works director
- Governing chapter
- CMC Chapter 14.08
- Contractor license required
- valid CA license or owner-performed
- Appeal path
- city manager, then city council
Summary
Chico requires a public works encroachment permit before building, excavating, or placing anything in a city street, sidewalk, or public easement, with narrow listed exceptions.
Except as provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to encroach upon a public right-of-way or public service easement or make an excavation within public right-of-way or public service easement unless and until a permit for such encroachment or excavation has been approved and issued in the manner provided by this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Chico Municipal Code Chapter 14.08 bars any encroachment or excavation in a public right-of-way or public service easement until a permit is approved by the public works director. "Encroachment" covers construction work and any structure or object other than a vehicle that obstructs or interferes with the right-of-way. Limited exceptions exist without a permit: work under a city public-works contract, city employees on duty, parade/athletic-event permits, and central-commercial-district sidewalk cafés licensed under Chapter 14.70. Applicants for construction/excavation permits must hold a valid California contractor's license or be the adjoining property owner doing minor sidewalk, curb, or driveway work themselves.
Violations & Fines
Encroaching or excavating without a permit is enforced by the public works director; the code separately makes violations of Chapter 14.08 an infraction fined under City Charter § 1505, with violating a stop-work or revocation order a misdemeanor punishable by county jail time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Chico require a permit to work in the public right-of-way?
Are there exceptions to Chico's encroachment permit rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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