Visalia · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Visalia
Visalia sets its own limits on accessory structures in single-family zones and on home businesses. Rear-yard coverage depends on how many sides of a structure are enclosed.
Key points
- Accessory structures: In R-S single-family zones, Visalia limits accessory structures in the required rear yard to 12 feet, at least 3 feet from any lot line.
- Home businesses: Visalia allows no customers at a home business and residents only as workers, and requires a home occupation permit before a business license.
Each rule below is marked Visalia code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Visalia code In R-S single-family zones, Visalia limits accessory structures in the required rear yard to 12 feet, at least 3 feet from any lot line.
All 4 Visalia rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Visalia code Visalia allows no customers at a home business and residents only as workers, and requires a home occupation permit before a business license.
All 4 Visalia rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Visalia code All needed permits are issued when the application meets the city checklist, all laws and health and safety standards. Electronic submittal is allowed, and electronic signatures are accepted.
All 5 Visalia rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Visalia code Barriers may not be climbable. Vertical members may be no more than 4 inches apart.
All 11 Visalia rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Visalia code No more than 100 racing, homing or sporting pigeons per lot. Lofts at least 10 feet from homes on the site and 25 feet from any neighboring lot's buildable area.
All 5 Visalia rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Visalia code 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Allowed 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
All 19 Visalia rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Visalia code 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. No more than 3 consecutive days.
All 4 Visalia rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Group homes and residential care
| Homes for 7 or more |
|
|---|---|
| Homes for 6 or fewer |
|
| Distance between homes |
|
Parking spaces required for homes
Visalia code 1 covered parking space. Planning Commission may require an additional .25 guest parking spaces per dwelling unit
All 8 Visalia rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| Alarm permit |
|
Signs on homes
Visalia code At most 8 square feet in total. 1 nameplate of at most 2 square feet identifying the property address.
All 12 Visalia rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Required collection service |
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|---|---|
| Sorting organics and green waste |
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Historic homes
Visalia code The historic preservation advisory committee reviews applications for exterior changes that need a building permit. Historic preservation advisory committee review.
Other Visalia rules on this
Visalia's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Oak tree removal permits and protection (Ch. 12.24) — oak trees only
- Floodplain management (Ch. 15.60)
- Park and recreation development fee (Ch. 12.36)
- Public safety impact fee (Ch. 16.46)
- Transportation impact fee (§ 16.44.060)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a family child care home in Visalia?
California law sets this for every city, including Visalia: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Visalia?
Visalia's code: A conditional use permit is required. (Applies to large residential care facilities for 7 or more persons.) (§ 17.32.145); Subject only to city standards that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the zone. (Applies to small residential care facilities.) (§ 17.32.147).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Visalia?
Visalia's code: Amount designated by city council resolution. (Each false alarm generated by a subscriber's alarm system.) (§ 8.08.040); Required. (§ 8.08.070).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Visalia?
Visalia's code: Automatic lift container service is standard for single dwellings and complexes of up to 3 units. (Unless the Director finds it impracticable.) (§ 8.28.100); Food waste must go in an organics collection container, bin or box; other wet refuse must be bagged. (§ 8.28.100).
General information, not legal advice.
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