Agenda Item Wording:
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Conduct a Leadership Visalia public hearing regarding the Municipal Code Amendment No. 2015-06, a request by the City of Visalia to Amend Titles 6 (Animals) and 17 (Zoning) to allow chicken keeping in the R-1 Single family Residential Zone Districts.
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Agenda Date: 10/09/2026
Prepared by:
Reyna Rivera, Chief Deputy City Clerk, Reyna.Rivera@Visalia.Gov; 559-713-4512
Department Recommendation:
Open the public hearing and introduce for first reading of the Municipal Code Amendment No. 2025-105, amending the Municipal Code to allow chicken keeping in single-family residential zone districts.
Summary:
The proposed amendment to the City of Visalia’s Zoning Ordinance to expand the zoning districts in which residents may keep chickens. Currently, chickens are permitted in the Agricultural and Rural Residential zones, subject to applicable requirements. The proposed amendment would allow residents in additional residential zoning districts to keep up to four hens, prohibit roosters, and establish standards for keeping chickens on residential properties. The proposal was initiated at the direction of the City Council following a Work Session on April 6, 2015. On May 11, 2015, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted 3-1 to recommend denial of the amendment, citing concerns regarding animal classification, enforcement, confinement, and potential public health impacts. The City Council may consider the Planning Commission’s comments and direct revisions to the proposed ordinance before deciding whether to proceed with the amendment.
Background Discussion:
Currently, the keeping of chickens is allowed in two of the City’s zoning districts, the Agricultural Zone, and the Rural Residential zone. There are no restrictions to the keeping of chickens in the Agricultural Zone, whereas the Rural Residential zone (Zoning Ordinance Section 17.10.020(D)) allows the keeping o...
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