Pop. 141,384 · Tulare County
Visalia's STR ordinance addresses parking requirements. Operators must ensure adequate parking for guests to avoid impacting neighbors.
Visalia requires STR operators to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all short-term stays. The city charges TOT on rentals of 30 days or less.
Visalia adopted a Short-Term Rental Ordinance in October 2023 requiring all STR operators to obtain a permit. STRs are only allowed in primary residences with a maximum of 2 guest rooms.
Visalia requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces. Parking on unimproved areas like grass or dirt in residential zones is prohibited.
Visalia restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Heavy trucks and commercial equipment should not be stored in residential neighborhoods.
Visalia regulates on-street parking with time limits, distance requirements from hydrants and intersections, and restrictions on abandoned or inoperable vehicles.
Visalia regulates RV, boat, and trailer storage in residential areas. These vehicles must be stored on the property owner's lot and not on public streets for extended periods.
California Vehicle Code sections 22651 and 22669 set uniform rules allowing peace officers and authorized agents to remove abandoned vehicles from public and private property after defined waiting periods, with statewide notice and lien procedures.
California Civil Code sections 4745 and 4745.1, plus Government Code 65850.7, create statewide rights for residents to install EV charging stations and require expedited local permitting that supersedes restrictive local rules.
Visalia generally does not require building permits for standard residential fences within height limits. All fences must comply with zoning setback and height rules.
California law does not require neighbor consent to build a fence, but fences must be within property lines. California's Good Neighbor Fence Act may require shared costs for boundary fences.
Visalia limits front yard fences to 3.5 feet and side/rear yard fences to 6 feet in residential zones. Corner lots have additional visibility requirements.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act in Health and Safety Code Section 115920 mandates statewide drowning prevention barriers around residential pools, with cities prohibited from adopting weaker standards.
California Building Code under Title 24 universally requires permits and engineering for retaining walls over four feet measured from the bottom of the footing, applying statewide regardless of local variation.
Above-ground pools in Visalia must meet the same safety barrier requirements as in-ground pools. Pools over 18 inches deep require barriers.
Visalia requires all residential pools to have safety barriers per California Building Code. Fences must be at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Visalia enforces California pool safety laws including barrier requirements, anti-entrapment drains, and permit/inspection requirements for construction.
Hot tubs and spas fall under California's Swimming Pool Safety Act when capable of holding water deeper than 18 inches, requiring barriers, covers, or other approved safety features.
Visalia limits construction noise in residential areas to daytime hours. Construction activities are generally permitted between 7 AM and 7 PM on weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturdays.
Visalia regulates noise under Municipal Code Section 8.36. The city establishes exterior and interior noise level standards with stricter limits during nighttime hours in residential areas.
Visalia prohibits dogs that bark excessively and disturb neighbors. Animal Control investigates complaints and may cite owners of persistently barking dogs.
California sets statewide airport noise limits under Title 21 CCR, with the state preempting most local aviation noise control because federal FAA authority dominates aircraft operations in flight.
Visalia requires dogs to be on a leash or under direct control when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment.
Visalia does not impose breed-specific bans. California state law prohibits breed-specific legislation by cities. Dangerous dogs are regulated by individual behavior.
Visalia allows beekeeping subject to conditions on hive placement and management. Bees must not create a nuisance for neighbors.
Visalia and California state law restrict ownership of many exotic animals. Permits are required for certain species and many dangerous wild animals are prohibited.
Tulare County is one of California's leading agricultural counties, and the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance broadly permits chickens, roosters, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and other livestock in agricultural (AE, AF) and most rural-residential zones. Standard residential R-A and R-1 zones limit the number and proximity to dwellings, and the California Right to Farm Act (Civil Code section 3482.5) protects ongoing ag operations from nuisance suits.
Visalia treats carports as accessory structures under Title 17 zoning. Most accessory structures must observe the same front, side, and rear setbacks as the main dwelling, but carports receive a special allowance: they may be located on a side property line and as close as 5 feet from the rear property line, subject to review by the Planning Director.
California Government Code §65852.2(a)(6) prohibits using ADUs and JADUs as short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days. Visalia goes further: VMC §17.32.166 (effective December 6, 2023) expressly prohibits ADUs, garages, tents, camper trailers, RVs, and other exterior structures from being used as short-term rentals or as bedrooms within an STR. Long-term rentals of 30+ days are permitted with no additional Visalia license requirement for the ADU itself.
Visalia reviews ADU applications ministerially under Visalia Municipal Code (VMC) Chapter 17.32, Article 2 (Accessory Dwelling Units), consistent with California Government Code §65852.2. No public hearing or discretionary review is required for compliant applications. Plan review is conducted locally by the Community Development Department; the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) sets statewide minimum standards but does not review individual Visalia permits.
Visalia cannot charge impact fees on ADUs under 750 square feet under California Government Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A), which preempts local fee schedules. For ADUs 750 sf and larger, impact fees must be charged proportionally to the size of the primary dwelling. Visalia's standard impact fees fund streets, parks, fire, and public facilities and are collected at building permit issuance.
Under California AB 587 (codified at Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6)), Visalia could not impose owner-occupancy requirements on ADUs permitted between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025. AB 976 (2023) made the prohibition permanent, so Visalia may not require owner-occupancy on any ADU permitted on or after January 1, 2020. Junior ADUs (JADUs) still require owner-occupancy of either the primary unit or the JADU under Gov. Code §65852.22.
Visalia allows accessory dwelling units per California state ADU law. ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft are permitted on single-family lots with streamlined permitting.
Visalia allows sheds and accessory buildings subject to size limits and setback requirements. Small sheds under 120 sq ft may not require building permits.
Visalia allows garage conversions to living space with building permits. California ADU law streamlines converting garages to ADUs with reduced parking requirements.
California HCD guidance and Health and Safety Code 18007 classify many tiny homes on wheels as manufactured housing or ADUs, granting statewide siting protections.
Visalia permits only Safe and Sane fireworks during a limited window around the Fourth of July. All other fireworks, including aerial and explosive types, are banned year-round.
Visalia prohibits open burning of trash and debris within city limits. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District also regulates burning due to air quality concerns.
Visalia allows recreational fire pits under specific conditions. Fire pits must be properly contained, maintained at safe distances from structures, and attended at all times.
Tulare County Ordinance Code Part 4, Chapter 11 (Fire Hazardous Weeds and Rubbish) requires property owners to maintain weeds and grass at no more than 3 inches on parcels of 5 acres or less, and to provide 30-foot fuelbreaks around structures plus 15-foot crossbreaks on larger parcels. Compliance is enforced during the April through October high-fire season by the County Fire Hazard Abatement Program.
California uniformly applies the State Fire Marshal's propane storage standards through the California Fire Code, which all local jurisdictions must enforce as a minimum.
California uniformly classifies and maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones statewide, with mandatory building, disclosure, and defensible space rules tied to zone designations.
Visalia requires property owners to maintain vegetation and prevent overgrowth. Weeds and grass exceeding city standards trigger code enforcement action.
Visalia requires property owners to maintain trees so they do not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or utilities. The city maintains trees in the public right-of-way.
Visalia implements water conservation measures including mandatory irrigation schedules. California drought regulations and local ordinances restrict outdoor watering frequency and times.
Visalia may require permits for removing certain trees on private property depending on size and species. Trees in the public right-of-way are city property.
Government Code 65850.3 prevents California cities and HOAs from banning drought-tolerant artificial turf installed at single-family residential properties.
SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.
AB-1572 prohibits using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, institutional, and HOA-common areas, accelerating native and low-water landscape conversions statewide.
The 2012 Rainwater Capture Act allows California residents to capture rainwater from rooftops for non-potable outdoor use without a state water-right permit, preempting most local barriers.
Visalia restricts customer visits to home-based businesses. Home occupations should not generate traffic beyond normal residential levels.
Visalia allows home occupations in residential zones under specific conditions. The business must be secondary to residential use with no visible exterior changes.
Visalia prohibits exterior business signage for home occupations in residential areas. The property must maintain a residential appearance.
The California Homemade Food Act, codified at Health and Safety Code sections 113758 and 114365, sets uniform rules for cottage food operations and bars local governments from prohibiting them in residential zones.
Health and Safety Code sections 1597.40 through 1597.465 require all California cities and counties to treat licensed family daycare homes as permitted residential uses, preempting any local prohibition or restrictive zoning.
Visalia does not regulate decorative lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round yard decorations on private property. VMC Chapter 8.40 (Nuisances) requires yards to be free of debris, junk vehicles, and other genuinely blighting conditions, but ornamental items in good repair are permitted. Front-yard structures over height limits in the Development Code are subject to accessory structure rules in VMC Title 17. HOA architectural review committees impose the most common restrictions in master-planned communities.
Visalia distinguishes between residential holiday inflatables and commercial inflatables. Residential holiday inflatables on private property are treated as exempt holiday decorations under VMC Chapter 17.48. Commercial inflatable portable signs, however, may only be displayed on Saturdays and Sundays under VMC §17.48.110, and air-activated graphics and blimps designed to attract attention are prohibited in all zoning districts under VMC §17.48.040.
Visalia does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential holiday light displays. Display dates, brightness, and decorative content are not regulated by the City. VMC §17.48 (Signs) expressly exempts holiday and cultural observance decorations, including strings of lights, from sign permit requirements provided they do not include commercial advertising. General noise and nuisance provisions still apply if amplified music or glare creates a disturbance.
Visalia does not have a specific ordinance regulating backyard smokers or wood-fired ovens by time of day. Use is governed by VMC §8.44.050 (Outdoor cooking fires), the general nuisance provisions of VMC Chapter 8.40 (Nuisances), the City's noise standards, and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Rule 4901, which restricts residential wood burning on declared 'No Burn' days during November through February — although cooking appliances are generally exempt.
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Visalia require building, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits issued by the Visalia Building Safety Division under VMC Title 8 (Buildings) and VMC Title 16, which adopt the California Building Code, California Electrical Code, California Plumbing Code, and California Mechanical Code. Portable propane grills sitting on an existing patio do not require permits.
Visalia enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted in VMC Chapter 8.20 (California Fire Code) and regulates outdoor cooking fires under VMC §8.44.050. Under CFC §308.1.4 (the California amended version of IFC §308.1.4), charcoal grills and open-flame cooking devices may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction at multi-family buildings. Single- and two-family dwellings, sprinklered buildings, and small disposable 1-lb LPG cylinders are exempted.
Visalia participates in the NFIP and regulates development in FEMA flood zones. Properties in the floodplain must meet elevation requirements and obtain floodplain development permits.
The California Coastal Act, Public Resources Code sections 30000 through 30900, requires Coastal Development Permits for nearly all work in the coastal zone and gives the Coastal Commission appeal jurisdiction over local decisions.
California Water Code sections 13260 and 13383 implement the federal Clean Water Act through statewide MS4 NPDES permits issued by the State and Regional Water Boards, binding all municipal stormwater dischargers uniformly.
Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.
Recreational drone flight in California is governed primarily by FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 USC 44809, with state-level rules added by Civil Code 1708.8 and Government Code 853 applying uniformly statewide.
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, currently $16.50 per hour for all employers as of 2025. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher minimums; many cities exceed the state rate substantially.
California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours or five days annually effective January 2024, applying universally.
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.
California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.
California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.
California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700-114437) sets uniform mobile food facility permit, equipment, and food safety standards enforced by counties statewide.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.
The California Values Act (SB 54, 2017) codified at Government Code 7284-7284.12 limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It applies uniformly to every California agency and bars participation in most civil immigration enforcement.
Civil Code 1946.2 requires landlords statewide to have just cause to terminate tenancies of qualifying tenants who have lived in a covered unit at least 12 months.
Civil Code 1947.12 limits annual rent increases to 5 percent plus CPI, capped at 10 percent total, on most California rental units regardless of local ordinances.
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.
The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.
California prohibits grocery stores and large retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags under Public Resources Code 42280-42288, enacted by SB 270 (2014) and ratified as Proposition 67 in 2016. Recycled paper or reusable bags require a 10-cent minimum charge.
California restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that polystyrene foodware achieve 25 percent recycling by 2025 or face statewide sales prohibition.
California Public Resources Code 42270-42273, enacted by AB 1884 (2018), prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. The on-request rule applies uniformly to dine-in restaurants statewide.
Civil Code section 714 voids HOA covenants and rules that prohibit or unreasonably restrict residential solar energy systems, preempting private and local restrictions.
California's Solar Rights Act and the SolarAPP+ mandate (SB 379) require expedited permit review of small residential solar systems, preempting restrictive local processes.
California prohibits sale of tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21 statewide under Business and Professions Code 22958, enacted by SBX2-7 in 2016. The Tobacco 21 standard applies uniformly across all California jurisdictions.
California bans retail sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide under Health and Safety Code 104559.5, enacted by SB 793 (2020) and upheld by voters via Proposition 31 in November 2022. The ban applies uniformly to all California retailers.
California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970 establishes uniform retailer licensing, while local governments may adopt stricter rules.