Tulare County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Tulare County
In unincorporated Tulare County, the county code sets its own swimming pool barrier rules. They cover barrier height, openings, gates, and when the barrier must be built.
Key points
- Barrier height: County rule: pool barriers must be at least 60 inches above grade, measured on the side away from the pool.
- Openings: County rule: barrier openings must not let a 4-inch sphere pass; chain-link mesh is limited to 2-inch squares.
- Gates: County rule: pedestrian gates must open outward from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and accept a locking device.
- Build timing: County rule: the pool barrier must be built before the plaster inspection.
Each rule below is marked Tulare County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Tulare County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Tulare County have their own codes and their own pages.
Swimming pools
Tulare County code County rule: pool barriers must be at least 60 inches above grade, measured on the side away from the pool. County rule: barrier openings must not let a 4-inch sphere pass; chain-link mesh is limited to 2-inch squares. County rule: pedestrian gates must open outward from the pool, be self-closing and self-latching, and accept a locking device. County rule: the pool barrier must be built before the plaster inspection.
All 16 Tulare County rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Tulare County code A Building Permit is needed before construction or development; plans may show structures, fill, stored materials, drainage and elevations. At or above the FIRM depth number, measured from the highest adjacent grade.
All 3 Tulare County rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
|
|---|
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
|
|---|
Other Tulare County rules on this
Tulare County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Beehive distances (§ 6-05-2040)
- EV charger permit process (Ch. 7-32)
- Traffic impact fee (Ch. 25, Art. 3)
- Public facilities impact fee (Ch. 27, Art. 3)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the grading rules in Tulare County?
Tulare County's code: Excavation less than two feet deep, or with no cut slope over five feet high and steeper than 1 1/2 to 1; fill less than one foot deep on ground flatter than 5 to 1; grading under 1250 cubic yards on slopes under 30% that does not block drainage, or any grading on slopes under 5%; basement and footing excavation under a building permit (not fill made from it, or an excavation with an unsupported height over 5 feet); excavation for wells, tunnels or utilities (Also the exemptions in California Building Code Appendix J, Section J103.2) (§ 7-15-1360).
Can I run a family child care home in Tulare County?
California law sets this for every city, including Tulare County: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Tulare County?
Tulare County's code: Alarm systems must be registered with the Sheriff's Department (§ 4-17-1015).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Tulare County property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question