Visalia, CA Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Cats exempt from at-large rules
- Spayed/neutered OR currently licensed cats
- License requirement
- Required for all cats over 4 months old
- Trap-neuter-return
- Poundmaster may operate TNR program for unaltered stray cats (§ 6.08.030(C))
- Combined pet limit
- Max 4 dogs and/or cats combined (§ 6.12.010)
- Code sections
- §§ 6.08.020; 6.08.030; 6.12.010; 6.12.030
Summary
Unlike dogs, cats that are spayed/neutered or currently licensed by the City of Visalia are allowed to roam freely off their owner's property. Unaltered, unlicensed cats that run at large can be impounded and, at the Poundmaster's discretion, taken for spay/neuter and then released where they were found.
No person shall allow or permit any animal (except that are spayed or neutered or currently licensed by the City of Visalia cats) to run at large, or be pastured, herded, staked, or tied in or on any public alley, street sidewalk, vacant lot, school grounds, or other public place belonging to or under the control of the city or in such a way as to trespass in any manner upon any of the aforesaid public places. [§ 6.08.020(B)]
It is declared a public nuisance for any animal, except cats that are spayed or neutered or currently licensed by the City of Visalia, to run at large or to be on property other than that of the owner of the animal, without the property owner's consent. [§ 6.08.030]
The Poundmaster may determine that any at large cat that has not been spayed or neutered may be seized by an animal control officer or captured in a humane manner by a private citizen and submitted to the Visalia Animal Care Center to be neutered or spayed and vaccinated. After being altered the cat may then be released in the area where it was found. [§ 6.08.030(C)]
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-50: Municipal Code contains Supplement, current through Ordinance 2025-15, passed 12-15-2025).
Full Breakdown
The at-large and public nuisance provisions throughout Chapter 6.08 specifically exempt cats that are either spayed/neutered or currently licensed by the city: those cats may be off their owner's property without violation. Unaltered, unlicensed cats are treated like other animals: they can be impounded and the owner cited. Under § 6.08.030(C), the Poundmaster has discretion to operate a trap-neuter-return program, allowing community members to capture stray unaltered cats and surrender them for free spay/neuter and release. All cats over four months old must be licensed (§ 6.12.030), and cats are subject to the combined four-pet limit with dogs (§ 6.12.010).
Violations & Fines
Owners whose unaltered, unlicensed cats are found at large can be cited for an infraction or administrative violation. The cat may be impounded. Under the TNR program option, the Poundmaster may instead alter and release the cat rather than returning it to the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my cat have to be on a leash?
Can my outdoor cat be picked up by animal control?
What is a city cat license and how do I get one?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Visalia
California rules heatmap·Compare Visalia to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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