Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DCBA?

Recognizing the need to plan for the future of downtown and ensure its economic vitality, the Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA) was formed in 1975 by a group of downtown business owners. Encompassing 40 square blocks, the DCBA boundaries include an average of 450 diverse businesses.

Formed as a Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area (DPBIA), the City of Chico assesses an additional fee on business licenses granted within the district boundaries (per Chico Municipal Code 3.34.010 – 3.34.140). Those funds are distributed to the DCBA, a nonprofit organization that has contracted with the City of Chico and is mandated to use the funds for one or more of the following purposes (CDC 3.34.090):

1. The acquisition, construction or maintenance of parking facilities for the benefit of the area;
2. Decoration of any public place in the area;
3. Promotion of public events which are to take place on or in public places in the area;
4. Furnishing of music in any public place in the area;
5. The general promotion of retail trade activities in the area.

The DCBA has evolved over the last 3 decades into a strong marketing and advocacy organization that continues to help maintain an environment where businesses can flourish and prosper.

What are the DCBA boundaries?

The DCBA boundaries house approximately 450 diverse businesses in the Downtown district which encompasses 40 square blocks, from Big Chico Creek on the north to Little Chico Creek on the south and from the East side of Flume Street to the West side of Normal Street.

What does DCBA do?

• Provides advocacy and representation for downtown regarding issues that include parking, enforcement, maintenance, and city ordinances;
• Provides membership communication, support and education.
• Organizes and implements annual promotional events — Friday Night Concerts, Slice of Chico, Harvest Sidewalk Sale, Treat Street, Christmas Preview and Community Tree Lighting;
• Plans, implements and manages 2 large-scale annual fundraising events – Taste of Chico and the 26-week Thursday Night Market;
• Manages the year-round Weekend Clean-up Program that utilizes court-appointed community service workers;
• Manages the downtown planter program, as contracted with the City of Chico;
• Represents the interests of the organization on various community task forces and committees;
• Acts as a resource for property owners and potential tenants.
• Creates and publishes a monthly membership newsletter, What’s Up Downtown?;
• Publishes and distributes annually 10,000 copies of the Downtown Chico Business Directory;
• Funds and maintains a downtown-dedicated website, www.downtownchico.com, that receives over 12,000 unique visits per month.
• Develops and organizes several collaborative advertising campaigns that promote and market Downtown Chico;

Who makes all of this happen?

• An elected 21-member Board of Directors consisting of dedicated downtown business owners and employees, downtown property owners, and community members.
• A dedicated staff who manage office operations, project development, advocacy, fundraising, public relations, event planning, downtown clean up, etc.
• Several volunteer committees that address specific challenges or developments.

How is the DCBA funded?

The organization is funded annually by: Membership Assessments, Transient Occupancy Tax (T.O.T.), Special Events, and Contracted Services with the City of Chico.

City Contracts

(approximately 2% of annual budget)

The City of Chico currently contracts with the DCBA to maintain the city planters.

The DCBA has effectively bolstered the planter budget with the “Adopt-a-Planter” program.  For a small annual sponsorship fee businesses can contribute to the beautification effort in Downtown.