City of Visalia
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Staff Recommendation
• Receive presentation and adopt
Ordinance No. 2024-03.
• Ordinance is seeking to place new
regulations to regulate the location and
operational requirements for message
establishments, Citywide.
• 4/5 vote approval of the Council required
for passage.
• If approved, the ordinance would go into
effect immediately.
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Summary
• Recent increases in CUP submittals for massage
establishments, staff is seeking Council approval
for an emergency ordinance.
• Emergency ordinance being considered under
Visalia City Charter Article VI, Section 7, &
Government Code section 65858.
• Ordinance contains specific regulations to regulate
location and operational requirements for
message establishments.
• 4/5’s approval by the Council is required for
passage.
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Current Municipal Regulations
• Current regulations found in Title 5 Section 5.68
“Massage Establishments”.
• These regulations establish health & safety
guidelines for massage establishments.
• Zoning Ordinance identifies CUP requirements
in the following zones:
• In the Regional Retail zone, use is listed as
“Permitted”.
Neighborhood Commercial Commercial Mixed Use
Downtown Mixed Use Professional / Administrative Office Office Conversion
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Ordinance Request
• Proposed restrictions do not represent a
moratorium or ban.
• Regulations help to ensure nuisance
activities occurring at massage
establishments are properly regulated.
• Staff will seek permanent regulations
processed through formal ordinance update.
• Puts these types businesses on notice that
permanent regulations are being considered.
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Ordinance Request cont.
• Regulations identified in the emergency
ordinance include:
• CUP now required in the Regional Retail zone.
• 750-ft. separation requirement for establishments.
• Prohibiting exterior facing window coverings that front public street, highway, walkway, parking area, etc.
• Minimum lighting requirements.
• Living Quarters Prohibited.
• Inspection requirements.
• Front, reception, hallway or front exterior doors to remain unlocked during business hours.
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Mooney Blvd. corridor
Downtown Core Area
Ordinance Request cont.
• Regulations per ordinance considered “additional
regulations” and do not supersede current
municipal code requirements.
• Ordinance is interim and void 45 days after its
adoption.
• Can be extended by a subsequent 4/5 approval by
the legislative body after a public hearing.
– Hearing published at least 10 days prior to the hearing along with posting in at least three public places.
• Staff anticipates bringing formal ordinance update
through public hearing process in the next 60 days.
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Recommendation
I move to adopt Ordinance No. 2024-
03, an interim ordinance, as an
emergency measure to regulate the
location and operational requirements
for message establishments, citywide.
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024
Questions?
City Council Public Hearing
March 4, 2024