Landscaping Rules in Visalia, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Visalia, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Visalia does not publish a single numeric grass-height limit, but Chapter 8.56 of the Visalia Municipal Code (Property Maintenance) treats overgrown weeds, grass, and rubbish on private property as a public nuisance and the Visalia Fire Department Prevention Division enforces it via a 24-hour hotline (559-713-4207). Stage 2 watering restrictions (Ch. 13.20) limit how often residential lawns can be irrigated, so most homes keep grass short by necessity.
Weed/grass nuisance enforced under Ch. 8.56
Some RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code Chapter 8.56 - Property Maintenance (as described on City of Visalia Property Maintenance Program and Report Weeds, Junk or Trash pages)
Chapter 8.56 of the Visalia Municipal Code [is intended] 'to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the people maintaining property or premises in good and appropriate condition.' The Visalia Fire Department Prevention Division receives complaints regarding weeds, overgrowth, junk, and trash on private property in Visalia ... by calling the Prevention Division's 24-Hour Hotline at 559-713-...
Tree Trimming
Under Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 (Street Tree Ordinance), the adjoining property owner is responsible for watering and trimming the street tree in front of their property and must keep it pruned to at least 14 feet over any street or alley and at least 8 feet over any parkway or sidewalk. All street trees must be pruned to ANSI A300 standards, and 'topping' (severe cutback of limbs larger than three inches inside the canopy) is prohibited without authorization from the Director of Public Works.
Street tree trimming heights and pruning rules
Heavy RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 (Ord. 2004-21), Sections 12.20.050, 12.20.070, 12.20.080, 12.20.090, 12.20.230
12.20.080 Trimming heights. Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, property owners shall keep street trees adjoining their property and all private trees trimmed up to a height of not less than fourteen (14) feet over a street or alley, and up to a height of not less than eight (8) feet over the parkway and sidewalk. 12.20.070 Responsibility for care and maintenance. All watering and...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Under Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 12.24 - as amended August 4, 2025 by Ordinance No. 2025-06 - any person who wants to destroy or remove an oak tree on public property with a trunk diameter of 18 inches or greater (measured at 4.5 feet above the root crown) must first apply to the City and obtain a removal permit; the application is free. The 2025 amendment removed the permit requirement for oak trees on private property, but pruning oak limbs 10 inches or greater in diameter still requires advance Intent-to-Prune notice from public agencies.
Oak Tree Preservation - Ch. 12.24 (Ord. 2025-06)
Heavy RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code Chapter 12.24 (Oak Tree Preservation), as amended by Ordinance No. 2025-06 (adopted August 4, 2025), Sections 12.24.030, 12.24.050, 12.24.060, 12.24.100
Section 12.24.030 Oak Tree Removal Permit Required. A. Any person desiring to destroy or remove an oak tree with a trunk diameter of eighteen (18) inches or greater at a point 4.5 feet above the root crown (Also referred to as '18 inches Diameter Breast Height (D.B.H.)') on public property must first apply for and obtain a removal permit. Such application shall be in writing to the city clerk, ...
Weed Ordinances
Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 8.56 (Property Maintenance) governs weeds, overgrowth, junk, and trash on private property. Complaints are taken by the Visalia Fire Department Prevention Division's 24-hour hotline at 559-713-4207, after which Fire Prevention inspects and pursues abatement under Chapter 8.56.
Weed/junk abatement under VMC Ch. 8.56
Some RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code Chapter 8.56 (Property Maintenance) and Section 12.20.220 (parkway obstructions, Ord. 2004-21)
12.20.220 City right to remove obstructions in right-of-way. If, in the director's opinion, a real and significant vehicular site line or pedestrian obstruction or hazard is created by shrubs, hedges, and similar vegetation, within the parkway, the adjoining property owner shall be required upon notification, to satisfactorily correct the situation within thirty (30) days. Upon failure of the p...
Water Restrictions
Visalia operates under a permanent Stage 2 Water Alert: sprinkler irrigation is allowed only twice a week (Wednesday/Sunday for even-numbered addresses, Tuesday/Saturday for odd) between March 1 and November 30, only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., and is banned entirely Mondays/Thursdays/Fridays. All sprinkler watering is prohibited city-wide from December 1 through the end of February each year.
Stage 2 odd/even watering schedule
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Visalia - Watering Schedule, Rules, Enforcement and Appeals (Stage 2 Water Alert) and Water Conservation Permits page
Sprinkler Irrigation (March 1 - November 30): Even addresses can water Wednesday and Sundays. Odd Addresses can water Tuesdays and Saturdays. Watering is not permitted Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays. Water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on your watering day. Watering days are based on whether your address ends in an odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) or even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) number. Winter Period (December 1 - F...
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