Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 15.40 Miscellaneous Building Regulations

A. In addition to the termite protection required under Section 2516 (c) of the Uniform Building Code and the flashing protection required by the Federal Housing Administration, the following alternate construction procedures are to be observed.

B. Exterior porches, landings or patios that are constructed adjacent to the exterior foundation shall be poured monolithically with the foundation, or, if not poured monolithically shall have a footing poured against the foundation stem and extend to the foundation footing of a thickness not less than the floor slab constructed. (Prior code § 7830)

A. Fence Ordinance. This section shall be known as the "Fence Ordinance" applicable to all fences in the city which are six feet or less in height.

B. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to control location and height of fences as may be required by city laws, rules, and regulations to safeguard life or limb, property and public welfare.

C. Permit Required. No person, firm, or corporation shall erect, construct, alter, or move a fence in the city, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a "no fee" permit from the city building department.

D. Application. To obtain a permit the applicant shall first file an application therefore in writing on a form furnished for that purpose.

E. Requirements. Every such application shall:

1. Describe the land on which the proposed fence is to be built, by lot, block, tract, or house, and street address, or similar description that will readily identify and definitely locate the proposed fence;

2. State that applicant will conform to all city zoning laws and all relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations;

3. Give such other information as may reasonably be required by the building department. (Prior code § 7831)

All new construction in the city that abuts or is traversed by an irrigation ditch shall comply with Section 16.36.190. For the purposes of this section, the irrigation ditches are: Evans, Persian, Watson, Jennings, Modoc, and Tulare Irrigation Company. (Prior code § 7832)

A. 1. Fences. Every person owning land on which there is situated a swimming pool, fish pond or other body of water which contains water eighteen (18) inches or more in depth at any point, shall erect and maintain thereon an adequate fence sufficient to make such body of water inaccessible to small children. Such fence, including gates therein, must not be less than four and one-half feet above the underlying ground, all gates must be self latching with latches placed four and one-half feet above the underlying ground or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children.

2. In lieu of maintaining a fence, such person may provide a competent person who shall keep the pool under observation at all times while water is kept in the pool. In the event that the pool is not under observation of a competent person, a pool cover or other protective device approved by the city council may be used.

B. Modifications. The city council may make slight modifications for good cause shown in individual cases, with respect to the height of the fence or the nature or position of the latch. The council may permit other protective devices or structures to be used so long as the degree of protection afforded by the substitute devices or structures is not less than the protection afforded by the fence, gate and latch described herein. (Prior code § 7833)

It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to so erect, construct or place any building or other structure or any part of any building or other structure, that the same, or any part thereof, shall rest upon or the weight or load thereof shall be borne by any part or portion of the conduit constituting the improved channel of Mill Creek constructed by the city, as such conduit now exists or as the same may be hereafter altered or constructed by said city. (Prior code § 7834)

A. Curbs and Gutters. Standard curb and gutter shall be installed, or standard gutter shall be installed, where same does not now exist, on all street frontage of properties for which building permits for the following classes of work are issued:

1. New dwellings, or commercial or industrial buildings or vacant properties, or remodeling of existing dwellings or commercial or industrial buildings involving the addition of fifty (50) percent or more of the existing floor space;

2. Replacement of existing dwellings, commercial, or industrial buildings;

3. Conversion of existing dwelling occupancies to more intensive occupancies, i.e., single-family to multiple-family occupancies; residential occupancies to commercial occupancies;

4. New structures on properties created by lot splits or other subdivisions of land.

B. Driveway Approaches. Standard concrete commercial or residential driveway approaches shall be included in such curb and gutter construction where driveways exist or are proposed for use by owners or permittees.

C. Sidewalks. Standard concrete sidewalks shall be installed in accord with the standard plans and policies of the city as to placement and design on all street frontages on properties on which building permits for the following classes of work are issued:

1. New dwellings or commercial or office buildings, or parking developments on vacant property, or remodeling of existing dwellings or commercial industrial buildings involving the addition of fifty (50) percent or more of the existing floor space;

2. Replacement of existing dwellings or commercial or office buildings, or conversion to parking usage;

3. Conversion of existing residential occupancies to commercial, office or parking occupancy;

4. New structures or parking facilities or uses on properties created by lot splits or subdivision;

5. The installation of sidewalks in conjunction with the construction of single-family dwellings may be deferred to a later date by the signing of a recordable agreement for those locations where in the opinion of the city engineer there will not be any other sidewalk construction for a period of several years. The agreement will stipulate that the property owners will install the sidewalks at such time as a sidewalk program is initiated in the neighborhood.

D. Condition of Building Permit Issuance. The above installations shall be a condition of building permit issuance, and final inspections shall not be performed for buildings, electrical, or plumbing work involved in the permitted construction until required sidewalk, curb and gutter, or gutter, and driveway approach construction is completed to city standards. (Prior code § 7835)