Chico · Land use · Senior or assisted living
Where is senior housing or assisted living allowed in Chico?
In Chico, senior housing or assisted living is allowed in 2 base zones (DN and DS, all with a condition) and needs an use permit in 11 (RS, R1, R2, R3, R4 and 6 more) (Chico use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: DN and DS
- Needs a permit: RS, R1, R2, R3, R4, OR, OC, CN and 3 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 senior housing or assisted living can go
Chico's code calls this use “Assisted living facilities for the elderly”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| DN | Allowed — see note Note 4: Use allowed only on second floor or above, or in basements. A use permit is required for ground-level occupancy, except for accessible units required by the Building Code, which are allowed by right. | § 19.44.020 |
| DS | Allowed — see note Note 4: Use allowed only on second floor or above, or in basements. A use permit is required for ground-level occupancy, except for accessible units required by the Building Code, which are allowed by right. | § 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 |
| OR | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| OC | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| CN | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| CC | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| CS | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
| CR | Needs an use permit | § 19.44.020 |
What else applies
- 'Senior citizen congregate care housing' (S2): R1 UP, R2 UP, R3 P, R4 P, RMU P.
- State law: A licensed care home for six or fewer residents is a residential use under state law (Health and Safety Code § 1566.3) and is allowed wherever homes are.
- 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 senior housing or assisted living 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 senior housing or assisted living in the DN zone in Chico?
Yes, with a condition. Chico's use table lists it as allowed in DN (§ 19.44.020). The code adds a condition: “Use allowed only on second floor or above, or in basements. A use permit is required for ground-level occupancy, except for accessible units required by the Building Code, which are allowed by right.”
General information, not legal advice.
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