Agenda Item Wording:
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Ordinance adoption – Public Hearing and first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-15 to adopt Zone Text Amendment No. 2026-02, a request by the City of Visalia to amend Visalia Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance), Chapter 17.04 Definitions, Chapter 17.25 Zone Use Matrix, Chapter 17.32 Special Provisions based on the adoption of an Entertainment Ordinance, within the City of Visalia.
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Agenda Date: 11/02/2026
Prepared by:
Colleen A. Moreno, Associate Planner, (559)713-4031, colleen.moreno@visalia.gov
Paul Bernal, Planning and Community Preservation Director, (559)713-4025, paul.bernal@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends the City Council hold a public hearing and introduce the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-15 for Zone Text Amendment No. 2026-02 to amend the following Municipal Code Chapters, Chapters 17.04 Definitions, Chapter 17.25 Zone Use Matrix, and Chapter 17.32 Special Provisions based on the revisions to the entertainment ordinance.
Summary:
In December 2025, the Planning Division provided the City Council with an overview of how the City of Visalia processes live entertainment requests for businesses seeking to host live entertainment within their establishments. At the City Council work session, staff discussed a possible “hybrid” model, that would allow for an administrative approval process for certain entertainment requests that meet certain criteria, such as operating hours of the entertainment to be provided and redefining the current Live Entertainment definition to provide a clearer understanding of what live entertainment is and to also provide a pathway for administrative approvals and discretionary approvals.
In August 2026, the Planning Division proposed to City Council an updated Entertainment Ordinance, changes to the Zone Use Matrix and an Entertainment Permit application to facilitate an administrative process for entertainment ending at 10:00 P.M.
Background Discussion:
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