Chico, CA Special Events & Permits: Street Fair Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- Administrative use permit
- Standard duration
- Up to 10 days
- Longer events
- Arts, ag sales allowed over 10 days
- Governing section
- § 19.22.030(A)
Summary
Chico requires an administrative use permit before hosting a carnival, fair, festival, flea market, or swap meet lasting up to 10 days, or longer for arts, crafts, and agricultural sales events.
Carnivals, circuses, concerts, fairs, festivals, flea markets, food events, outdoor entertainment/sporting events rodeos, rummage sales, second-hand sales, and swap meets for up to 10 days; other events, including arts and crafts exhibits, and agricultural sales and events (such as pumpkin sales and corn mazes) for over 10 days; and farmers' market that don't meet the standards in Section 19.22.020(M).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico Municipal Code § 19.22.030(A) puts street fairs, festivals, carnivals, circuses, flea markets, rummage and second-hand sales, and swap meets in the 'subject to administrative use permit' category of temporary uses: events lasting up to 10 days need City sign-off before they can operate, and arts/crafts exhibits or agricultural sales events (like pumpkin sales and corn mazes) running longer than 10 days need the same permit. Applicants must also satisfy the use and development standards that otherwise apply to the property under Chapter 19.24 (Use Permits).
Violations & Fines
Running a festival, fair, or swap meet without the required administrative use permit is an unpermitted land use the City can cite, and it can order the event shut down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to hold a street fair in Chico?
Can an arts and crafts event run longer than 10 days?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
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