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Visalia · Building on your lot

Pets, chickens and bees in Visalia

Visalia's own rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Visalia Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Visalia's code says

Visalia code What Visalia's code adds
Pet limit
  • No more than 100 racing, homing or sporting pigeons per lot.
    Applies: Applies to these pigeons kept as household pets.
    § 17.32.270 · code text
    The number of racing, homing or sporting pigeons shall not cumulatively exceed one hundred (100) per parcel.
  • No more than 4 cats and dogs combined over 4 months old.
    § 6.12.010 · code text
    No person shall keep, harbor or maintain upon his premises within the city more than a total of four cats and/or dogs combined over the age of four months unless said person comes within one of the following conditions:
  • A 5th cat or dog for up to 30 days.
    Applies: Only with a reasonable showing of need to the animal control officer.
    § 6.12.010 · code text
    Upon reasonable showing of necessity to the animal control officer, a person may be permitted to keep a fifth cat or dog for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) days;
Coop setback
  • Lofts at least 10 feet from homes on the site and 25 feet from any neighboring lot's buildable area.
    Applies: Applies to lofts for racing, homing or sporting pigeons.
    § 17.32.270 · code text
    The loft shall be setback a minimum distance of ten feet from residential structures on the site, to provide adequate distance for clean and sanitary loft maintenance, and a minimum distance of twenty- five (25) feet from the buildable area of any adjacent parcel.
Permit
  • A permit from the planning and building division is required.
    Applies: Applies to keeping racing, homing or sporting pigeons as household pets.
    § 17.32.290 · code text
    The keeping of racing, homing or sporting pigeons, in accordance with the limitations specified in Section 17.32.270, may be permitted upon issuance of a permit by the planning and building division.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Visalia?

Visalia's code: Lofts at least 10 feet from homes on the site and 25 feet from any neighboring lot's buildable area. (Applies to lofts for racing, homing or sporting pigeons.) (§ 17.32.270).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Visalia's pets, chickens and bees rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Visalia Municipal Code — full text