Chico · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Chico?
In Chico, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 5 base zones (CC, DN, DS, CS and CR, all with a condition) and needs an use permit in 10 (RS, R1, R2, R3, R4 and 5 more) (Chico use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CC, DN, DS, CS and CR
- Needs a permit: RS, R1, R2, R3, R4, RMU, OR, OC and 2 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Chico Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a church or other place of worship can go
Chico's code calls this use “Churches/places of worship”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| CC | Allowed — see note Note 5: Businesses within 300 feet of a residential district which operate between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or allow amplified music require use permit approval. | § 19.44.020 |
| DN | Allowed — see note Note 5: Businesses within 300 feet of a residential district which operate between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or allow amplified music require use permit approval. | § 19.44.020 |
| DS | Allowed — see note Note 5: Businesses within 300 feet of a residential district which operate between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or allow amplified music require use permit approval. | § 19.44.020 |
| CS | Allowed — see note Note 5: Businesses within 300 feet of a residential district which operate between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or allow amplified music require use permit approval. | § 19.44.020 |
| CR | Allowed — see note Note 5: Businesses within 300 feet of a residential district which operate between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or allow amplified music require use permit approval. | § 19.44.020 |
| RS | Needs an use permit | § 19.42.020 |
| R1 | Needs an use permit | § 19.42.020 |
| R2 | Needs an use permit | § 19.42.020 |
| R3 | Needs an use permit | § 19.42.020 |
| R4 | Needs an use permit | § 19.42.020 |
| RMU | Needs an use permit | § 19.42.020 |
| OR | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| OC | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| CN | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| PQ | Needs an use permit | § 19.50.020 |
What else applies
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Airport zones (S6 section has no table text); Agricultural / other districts whose tables are not in the text; TND zone designations NE/NG/NC/CORE (S10) not given as base cells. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Chico
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RS zone in Chico?
Only with an use permit. Chico's use table lists it that way in RS (§ 19.42.020).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CC zone in Chico?
Yes, with a condition. Chico's use table lists it as allowed in CC (§ 19.44.020). The code adds a condition: “Businesses within 300 feet of a residential district which operate between the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or allow amplified music require use permit approval.”
General information, not legal advice.
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