Visalia, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height. R-S residential zone
- 35 feet
- Max height. Agricultural zone
- 35 feet
- Max height: rear-yard accessory structures
- 12 feet
- Exception for special structures
- Windmills, silos, tanks, radio towers may exceed 35 ft in A zone
- Variance process
- Chapter 17.42
Summary
The maximum building height in Visalia's single-family residential zones (R-1, R-1-12.5, R-1-20) is 35 feet. Accessory structures in the rear yard are capped at 12 feet.
17.12.110 Height of structures. In the R-S single-family residential zone, the maximum height of a permitted use shall be thirty-five (35) feet, with the exception of structures specified in Section 17.12.100(B).
17.12.100(B) Accessory structures not exceeding twelve (12) feet may be located in the required rear yard but not closer than three feet to any lot line provided that not more than twenty (20) percent of the area of the required rear yard shall be covered by structures enclosed on more than one side and not more than forty (40) percent may be covered by structures enclosed on only one side.
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
Section 17.12.110 caps all permitted-use structures in the R-S (single-family residential) zones at 35 feet. The same 35-foot limit applies in the Agricultural and Open Space zones per §§ 17.08.120 and 17.10.120. For small lots under 5,000 sq ft developed under § 17.12.140, the maximum height remains 35 feet. Accessory structures placed in the required rear yard under § 17.12.100(B) must not exceed 12 feet: a significantly lower cap for sheds and outbuildings sited close to lot lines.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding height limits is a zoning violation requiring a variance from the planning commission under Chapter 17.42.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in Visalia's residential zones?
What about a garage or shed I want to put in my backyard?
Can I get an exception to the 35-foot height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Visalia
California rules heatmap·Compare Visalia to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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