City Council: no more loitering on medians

Council approves new ordinance that it says will improve public safety
by Yucheng Tang | Posted November 19, 2025
Money spent on the new ordinance could be better used to protect pedestrians, said Freddie Wright. Photo by Yucheng Tang.

The Chico City Council, on a split 4–3 vote, on Nov. 18 approved an ordinance that prohibits people from lingering on medians, roundabouts and in areas near retail-use driveways.

Under the new ordinance, people would be prohibited from lingering on any portion of a median or roundabout adjoining a public roadway, as well as “right‑of‑way zones serving access points of public shopping centers that connect directly to a public roadway.”

Exceptions include crossing, lawful walking, permitted work and emergencies. read more