Visalia, CA Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)

Visalia regulates livestock and poultry keeping primarily through its zoning code (Title 17), not Title 6 (Animals). Section 17.12.020 of the Visalia Municipal Code allows the raising of livestock as a permitted use only in the R-1-20 zone (one of Visalia's lowest-density single-family residential zones), with a per-site cap of two cows, two horses, four sheep, or four goats and an explicit exclusion of pigs of any kind. Sites of ten acres or more in qualifying zones are exempt from the numeric per-site cap but remain subject to nuisance rules. Outside the R-1-20 zone, including in the great majority of Visalia's residential neighborhoods (R-1-6, R-1-7.5, R-1-10 single-family districts and all multi-family districts), the zoning code does not list keeping of livestock or commercial poultry as a permitted use, which means it is prohibited. The Visalia City Council in May 2023 declined to amend the zoning code to broadly allow backyard chickens in standard residential zones, leaving the long-standing rule in place that hens and other poultry are not generally permitted on standard urban residential lots. Animal Services and Code Enforcement (559-713-4534) handle complaints about livestock or poultry kept outside permitted zones, and noise complaints (including crowing roosters or noisy hens) are processed under Visalia Municipal Code 6.12.020.