Future General Plan Update - City of Visalia
October 23, 2025
Special Joint Meeting
City of Visalia &
Visalia Unified School District
What is Planning?
“The process by which public agencies (mostly local governments) determine the intensity and geographical arrangements of various land uses in a community” (Fulton, William Guide to California Planning. 1999) Put simply ,“planning is the process by which our society decides what gets built where.” (Fulton, William Guide to California Planning. 1999)
What is the General Plan
Purpose is to establish a long-range vision for how a community will develop over time.
Current General Plan, adopted 2014, provides an outlook to 2030 for growth.
Anticipated buildout of the General Plan seeks to accommodate a population of approximately 210,000.
Number of housing units anticipated at full buildout: 76,100 units Current City Limits encompasses approx. 40 sq. miles.
Total Acreage in City Limits: 25,615 ac.
If fully built out, encompass approx. 66,640 ac.
Where are we at today?
The City has used growth management tiers to manage growth through adoption of “Growth Boundary Tiers” (i.e., Tiers I, II, and III).
City is permitting development in Tiers II for both commercial and residential development.
Residential permits issued in Tiers I & II since adoption (2010) is 7,061 permits.
Residential Tier III Development Boundary achieved only when 12,800 units are issued between Tiers I and II (LU-P-21).
Where are we at today?
8,873 permits for residential units issued through Sep. 2025.
There are still 3,927 permits that must be issued before the Tier III threshold is satisfied for residential.
Since 2010, the city has averaged issuance of ±500 units (SFR and MFR combined) per year.
Based on this average, Visalia is on track to achieve threshold metric of 12,800 units issued in approximately 7.14 years.
There are approved projects that are sufficient to achieve the Tier III threshold much sooner.
Where are we at today?
Where are we at today?
Why Update Now?
GP is nearing its development horizon (2030).
Start setting foundation for future growth & growth areas.
Update will help to ensure community values are maintained.
Address new emerging trends both at local and state levels.
Reflect community vision based on changes to demographics, land use patterns, and how the community grows (horizontal vs. vertical).
Why Update Now?
State law requires GPs to remain “current” and internally consistent.
Since last update, numerous state housing, climate, transportation, and equity laws have been enacted that require policy alignment.
Local priorities, such as housing affordability / availability, infrastructure resilience, etc., warrant reexamination.
Potential Key Focus Areas?
Growth Management – Balance urban expansion (where do we grow).
Housing & Affordability – Expand housing options, encourage infill, remove barriers to housing, meet RHNA.
Infrastructure & Services – Plan for water, wastewater, and energy needs.
Climate Resilience – Reduce GHG emissions, adapt to drought, heat, and other environmental factors.
Mobility & Connectivity – Cont. to support walking, biking, and transit needs.
Economic Vitality – Attract jobs, support local business, plan for clean tech.
Where to grow?
County Landfill
St. John’s River
County Development
N
Where to grow?
City of Tulare
City of Farmsville
N
Mooney
Oakdale Ave.
Where to grow?
Goshen
Highway 99
Wastewater Treatment Plant
N
Hwy 198
What are the desired outcomes?
Inclusive, transparent process through community engagement.
Alignment with state laws and regional plans.
Clear policy framework for future development.
Improved CEQA streamlining and implementation tools.
Strong links between land use, housing, mobility, and climate action.
Identifying community needs that are non-negotiable.
Shape how we grow, move, and thrive over the next two decades –ensuring a prosperous future for our community.
Next Steps & Key Dates
Update process to begin next Fiscal Year (July 2026).
Staff will be developing an RFP to seek a qualified consultant(s) to facilitate in this process.
How to be engaged and informed – Contact Planning staff @ [email protected] for further updates.
QUESTIONS