Visalia has no breed-specific dog ordinance because California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 prohibits cities from regulating any specific dog breed under their dangerous-dog programs; the only narrow exception, in Health and Safety Code section 122331, permits breed-specific mandatory spay-or-neuter and breeding-permit programs (which Visalia has not enacted).
Visalia does not have a breed-specific ordinance and could not enact one as a dangerous-dog rule even if it wanted to. California Food and Agricultural Code section 31683 expressly allows cities to adopt their own programs for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs, but limits that authority: 'No program regulating any dog shall be specific as to breed,' except where authorized by Health and Safety Code section 122331. Section 122331 carves out a narrow exception that allows a city or county to adopt an ordinance focused exclusively on mandatory spay-or-neuter requirements or breeding requirements for a specified breed, but only if it does not declare any breed potentially dangerous or vicious and only if the city reports breed and bite data quarterly to the State Public Health Veterinarian. Visalia has not adopted any such breed-specific spay/neuter ordinance, so all dog breeds, including pit bull terriers and other historically restricted breeds, may be lawfully owned, walked, and licensed in the city on the same terms as any other dog. Visalia regulates individual dogs that have actually attacked or are dangerous through Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 6.16 (Dangerous or Vicious Animals), which operates on a behavior basis (the individual dog's conduct), not breed.
Because Visalia has no breed-specific ordinance, owners do not face breed-based liability merely for owning a particular breed. However, any dog of any breed that has bitten, attacked, or behaved aggressively can be declared dangerous or vicious under Visalia Municipal Code 6.16.020 and become subject to keeping conditions (secure enclosure, muzzling, mandatory insurance) or, in serious cases, mandatory destruction. Owners are also strictly liable for bite damages under California Civil Code 3342 regardless of breed.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Visalia, CA
Visalia prohibits dogs that bark excessively and disturb neighbors. Animal Control investigates complaints and may cite owners of persistently barking dogs.
Visalia, CA
Visalia regulates noise under Municipal Code Section 8.36. The city establishes exterior and interior noise level standards with stricter limits during night...
Visalia, CA
Visalia limits construction noise in residential areas to daytime hours. Construction activities are generally permitted between 7 AM and 7 PM on weekdays an...
Visalia, CA
Visalia has no blanket citywide overnight parking ban, but Visalia Municipal Code 10.16.190 authorizes the City Manager to post 'all-night parking prohibited...
Visalia, CA
Visalia Municipal Code 10.16.210 prohibits parking commercial vehicles with an unladen weight over 5,000 pounds in residential districts, except briefly for ...
Visalia, CA
Visalia requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces. Parking on unimproved areas like grass or dirt in residential zones is prohibited.
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