Illegal dumping in Chico is prohibited under CMC Chapters 8.04 (Solid Waste General Provisions) and 9.20 (Litter), with state backstops at Cal. Penal Code §374.3 (misdemeanor dumping) and Cal. Vehicle Code §23111 (throwing from a vehicle). Penalties range from $250 to $3,000 per occurrence with additional clean-up cost recovery and possible misdemeanor charges. Chico Code Enforcement runs periodic 'Drop and Dash' events.
Illegal dumping (depositing solid waste, debris, mattresses, appliances, or yard waste on public or private property without permission) is prohibited under Chico Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 and Chapter 9.20 (Litter and Junk). Enforcement is also backed by California state law: Cal. Penal Code §374.3 makes it a misdemeanor to dump waste matter on public or private property without consent, with a mandatory minimum fine of $250 for a first violation, $500 for a second, and $750 for third within one year (Penal Code §374.3(c)), plus up to $10,000 for commercial quantities (§374.3(h)). Cal. Vehicle Code §23111 prohibits throwing lit or unlit material from a vehicle. Chico's Code Enforcement Division (CMC Title 1, Ch. 1.16 administrative citations) handles local cases and can impose administrative fines of $100/$200/$500 escalating tiers under the standard citation schedule, plus cost-recovery for abatement of dumped material on private lots (CMC Ch. 9.40 nuisance abatement). The City sponsors free 'Drop and Dash' bulky-waste drop-off events as a diversion strategy to reduce illegal dumping. Common illegal-dumping fact patterns enforced in Chico: dumping in Bidwell Park, dumping along Comanche Creek and Lindo Channel, fly-tipping on rural fringe roads, and setting bulky items at the curb without scheduling a hauler pickup.
First-time local administrative citation: $100. Subsequent violations within 12 months: $200, then $500 (CMC §1.16). State Penal Code §374.3 minimum fines: $250/$500/$750 escalation; up to $10,000 for commercial-quantity dumping plus jail up to 6 months. Property owners are responsible for material dumped on their parcel and may be billed for abatement plus a lien if unpaid (CMC Ch. 9.40). Vehicle-based dumping also triggers VC §23111 with mandatory community service in addition to fines.
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