Chico, CA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Covers
- Streets, private land, sewers, creeks
- Offense level
- Infraction (fine by resolution)
- Enforcement
- Criminal citation or civil fine
- Repeat offense
- Vehicle impoundment possible
Summary
Chico makes it unlawful to throw or deposit garbage, rubbish, or waste on any street, private premises, or into a sewer or creek, punishable as an infraction with a council-set fine.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the city, to throw into or deposit upon any public street, highway or grounds or any private premises, any garbage or filth; also to empty or throw or deposit in any cesspool or manhole or flushing hole of any sewer within the city, any glass, broken wares, hay, straw, dirt, rubbish, garbage, waste matter, filth, butcher's offal, or branches of trees; or to contract or obstruct the channel of any creek in the city, except by permit of the city council.
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 Section 9.22.010 prohibits throwing or depositing garbage, filth, glass, dirt, rubbish, waste matter, or tree branches onto any public street, highway, grounds, or private premises, or into a cesspool, manhole, sewer flushing hole, or creek channel, absent a city council permit. Section 9.22.020 makes a violation an infraction punishable by a fine set by council resolution under Chapter 1.15, enforceable through either criminal citation or administrative civil-fine procedures. Repeat dumping tied to a Penal Code Section 374.3(h) conviction can additionally trigger vehicle seizure and up to 30-day impoundment under the separate Chapter 9.19 nuisance-vehicle ordinance.
Violations & Fines
First violation of Section 9.22.010 is an infraction with a council-set fine under Chapter 1.15; a vehicle used in dumping tied to a prior Penal Code 374.3(h) conviction can be impounded for up to 30 days under Chapter 9.19.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is dumping trash on someone else's land illegal in Chico?
Can the city take my vehicle for illegal dumping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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