Entertainment
Ordinance - Draft
City Council – Work Session
August 17, 2026
Planning Division
SUMMARY
In December 2025, Planning Division provided an overview of current live entertainment process.
Staff discussed a possible “hybrid” model for an administrative approval for certain requests and redefining the current definition of “live entertainment”
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Provide staff with comments and/or direction on:
Proposed draft Entertainment Ordinance
Draft Entertainment Permit Application
Staff conducted public outreach:
Individual meetings with CUP holders
Larger group meeting for business owners for potential live entertainment Division Outreach
Common concerns with current process:
More flexibility should be allowed to allow businesses to remain dynamic and relevant Frustration on required information (templates)
Draft Entertainment Ordinance & Entertainment Permit Application
PLANNING DIVISION
Definitions
VISALIA ZONING ORDINANCE PROPOSED UPDATE
visalia.gov
Updated/Added definitions:
Entertainment
Acoustical music
Ambient music
Security Personnel
Updates to allow flexibility
Defining consistently used terms
Creates a pathway for administrative and discretionary approvals
PLANNING DIVISION
visalia.gov
Zone Use Matrix
PLANNING DIVISION
ENTERTAINMENT PRIOR TO 10:00PM
Baseline conditions/ requirements applied and adopted to help safeguard and protect patrons and land use compatibility 30-day Review Process
Reviewed by Planning, Code Enforcement, PD, Fire, Building Approved / Denied Administratively
visalia.gov
Complete Entertainment Permit Application required as well as:
Site Plan
Floor Plan
Description of type of entertainment
Security Plan
Submittal & Approval of Entertainment Permit
Application is comprehensive and serves as a template for applicants.
PLANNING DIVISION
visalia.gov
Examples of entertainment allowed with an Entertainment Permit:
Karaoke and DJ hosts ending at 9:00PM
Comedy Night with multiple performers ending at 10:00pm Line dancing classes ending at 8:00PM with music and dancing continuing till 9:30PM Open Mic at ending at 8:30 PM
Bingo/Trivia with amplification playing music and host starting at 10:00am Bands playing amplified music ending at 10:00PM
PLANNING DIVISION
ENTERTAINMENT PAST 10:00PM
visalia.gov
The current CUP process provides a project-specific review tailored to each establishment which provides staff with the ability to impose case-by-case operating conditions.
Submittal & Approval of Conditional Use Permit
Discretionary approval and each request reviewed on a project-by-project basis.
Process includes staff review (Site Plan Review), public hearing notices within 300-feet of site, Planning Commission approval Ensures conditions/ requirements are applied and adopted to help safeguard and protect patrons and land use compatibility
PLANNING DIVISION
Examples of type of uses applicable to a Conditional Use Permit:
Karaoke and DJ on Wednesdays and Fridays ending at 11:00 PM Comedy Night with multiple performers ending at 12:00 AM Line Dancing and Salsa Dancing classes ending at 8:00 PM with music and dancing continuing till 12:30 AM DJ ending at 2:00 AM
Bands with amplification ending at 11:30 PM
visalia.gov
PLANNING DIVISION
BASELINE CONDITIONS
visalia.gov
Noise
Occupancy
Baseline conditions have been included that will be applied to Entertainment Permits.
Security Plan
With the exception of the Time Restriction baseline condition, all other baseline conditions listed in the ordinance will be applied to CUPs for Entertainment.
Type, Manner, & Hours of Operation
The Planning Commission, may require additional conditions of approval of a CUP for entertainment based on the specific location and operational characteristics of the business.
PLANNING DIVISION
Conditional Use Permit
Time Restrictions
visalia.gov
Baseline conditions also applicable to all businesses with a CUP for Entertainment with the exception of the following:
Time Restriction.
Business shall not conduct Entertainment regulated under this code section between the hours of 1:30 a.m. through 11:00 a.m.
The time restrictions may be further limited by an applicable conditional use permit or an Entertainment Permit.
Uses not requiring an Entertainment Permit or a CUP for Entertainment:
A three-piece mariachi group walking around the inside of a restaurant without amplification prior to 10:00 P.M.
A solo singer with a guitar performing without amplification prior to 10:00 P.M.
An open stage event with multiple small music groups performing without amplification at a brewery prior to 10:00 P.M.
A violinist performing without amplification prior to 10:00 P.M.
Existing CUPs for Entertainment
Existing CUP holders may apply for to complement their existing CUP for entertainment.
Administrative level approval
More restrictive in hours of entertainment
More flexible in the types of entertainment
A business owner who currently has a CUP that allows amplified bands on Fridays and Saturdays till 1:00 A.M, can apply for an Entertainment Permit to include:
DJ on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only till 10:00 PM Karaoke and Bingo on Sundays from 10:00AM – 12:00 PM
Acoustical guitarist to play during dinner service, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, can do so without an amendment to the CUP and without the need of an Entertainment Permit.
If the business owner wants to increase the hours of entertainment till after 10:00PM, an amendment to the existing CUP will be required.
Entertainment Permit Non-transferable
Per the new draft ordinance, no entertainment permit may be sold, transferred or assigned by a permittee, to any other person or persons.
Fees for Entertainment Permit
The fee for the Entertainment Permit will be the same fee of Temporary Conditional Use Permit (TCUP) – To Planning Commission fee.
Appeals
With the administrative approval for the Entertainment Permit, the administrative decision may be appealed to the Planning Commission.
Provide staff with any input or desired changes and provide direction on whether to proceed with the ordinance and related material for adoption at a future meeting The City Council may, in lieu of the recommended motion, direct staff to not process any amendments to Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 17.32.155
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
ALTERNATIVE
Questions
&
Discussion