Tulare · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Tulare

Tulare sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and corner location, and accessory limits depend on the zone.

Ask about building on your lot in Tulare See coverage

Key points

Fence height: In the R-1 zone, Tulare limits fences to 4 feet, top 1 foot see-through, in front and corner street side yards; 7 feet elsewhere.
Accessory structures: In medium and high density residential zones, Tulare limits accessory structures in required rear or side setbacks to 20 feet and 300 square feet.
Home businesses: Tulare requires a home occupation permit and does not allow some businesses in residential zones, such as hair salons, vehicle repair and pet grooming.

Each rule below is marked Tulare code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

Tulare code In the R-1 zone, Tulare limits fences to 4 feet, top 1 foot see-through, in front and corner street side yards; 7 feet elsewhere.

All 4 Tulare rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Tulare code In medium and high density residential zones, Tulare limits accessory structures in required rear or side setbacks to 20 feet and 300 square feet.

All 8 Tulare rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Tulare code What Tulare's code adds
Permit	Yes. A home occupation permit approved by the Director. § 10.78.050 · code text Following a review of a home occupation application, the Director shall take action on the home occupation. The Director can approve subject to the conditions listed in § 10.78.040, or deny the home occupation permit.
Businesses not allowed	Barbershop, hair salon, nail care, massage therapy, or day spa; commercial photography studio; organized instruction or school of music or dance; fortune telling; kennel or animal boarding; laboratory, general or medical; mini-warehouse or self-storage facility; motor vehicle repair or service, minor or major; medical, dental, or optometry office; pet grooming; large appliance or equipment repair shop; specialty construction or trade service where construction activities take place at the site; tattooing or body art; and any other use determined by the Director to be not incidental nor compatible with residential activities Applies: residential zones § 10.78.030 · code text The following uses are, without limitation, examples of land uses that are not incidental to nor compatible with residential activities in residential zones and are prohibited as home occupations:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Tulare code The Building Official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the adopted checklist. Applications may be submitted electronically; electronic signatures are accepted instead of a wet signature.

All 4 Tulare rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Tree removal

Tulare code What Tulare's code adds
Exemptions	Emergency destruction, removal or pruning of a heritage tree is allowed. Applies: Applies to heritage trees under the code's emergency provision. § 8.52.120 · code text Exceptions to this section are to be found in § 8.52.050 which provides for emergency destruction, removal or pruning of a heritage tree.

Swimming pools

Tulare code No openings larger than 3 inches when all gates are closed. At least 5 feet high.

All 7 Tulare rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Tulare code What Tulare's code adds
Large animals	Equine animals and livestock need a written permit from the Animal Services Manager and may not roam onto others' property. § 6.12.330 · code text No person shall keep or maintain within the city, without a permit in writing issued by the Animal Services Manager, any equine or livestock.

Park and impact fees for new homes

Tulare code Units × average persons per unit × .003 (3 acres per 1,000 residents) × land cost per acre. Units × average persons per unit × .004 (4 acres per 1,000 residents) × land cost per acre.

All 8 Tulare rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Tulare code What Tulare's code adds
Noise limit at homes	No more than 70 decibels. Applies: Amplified sound, measured at the affected property line, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. § 6.40.071 · code text It is unlawful for any person at any location within the city to create any amplified sound on property owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by such person which causes the noise level, when measured at the property line of any affected area, to exceed the decibel level of 70 during the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Outdoor lighting

Tulare code What Tulare's code adds
Shielding	Lights must be placed, aimed or shielded to minimize light crossing property lines or going skyward. § 10.50.050 · code text All lights and light fixtures, except public streetlights and solar-powered lights of five watts or less per fixture, shall be located, aimed, or shielded so as to minimize light trespassing across property boundaries or skyward.

Garage and yard sales

Tulare code What Tulare's code adds
Signs	All signs must be removed when the sale ends. Applies: Garage or yard sales in R-1, R-M or R-H zones. § 10.60.110 · code text The driveway, yard, or other space used for the purposes of the sale shall be restored to its normal residential character at the conclusion of the sale, including the removal of all signs.

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Tulare code 1 uncovered guest space per 5 dwelling units. 1 uncovered guest space per 10 units.

All 6 Tulare rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Tulare code What Tulare's code adds
Signs that need no permit	1 permanent sign per residence, wall-mounted, at most 2 square feet. Applies: Residence or business premises; no permit needed. § 10.56.040 · code text One permanent sign per residence or business premises, mounted on a wall and not exceeding two square feet in area. Street address numbers, not counted toward the signage allowed on a site. § 10.56.040 · code text Street address numbers shall not count toward the number or amount of signage allowed on a site.

Historic homes

Tulare code More than 50 years. Less than 50 years.

All 9 Tulare rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Tulare rules on this

Tulare's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Building in a flood hazard area (§ 10.48.060)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Tulare?

Tulare requires a home occupation permit and does not allow some businesses in residential zones, such as hair salons, vehicle repair and pet grooming.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Tulare?

Tulare's code: Emergency destruction, removal or pruning of a heritage tree is allowed. (Applies to heritage trees under the code's emergency provision.) (§ 8.52.120).

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Tulare?

Tulare's code: No more than 70 decibels. (Amplified sound, measured at the affected property line, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) (§ 6.40.071).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Tulare?

Tulare's code: Lights must be placed, aimed or shielded to minimize light crossing property lines or going skyward. (§ 10.50.050).

What are the garage sale rules in Tulare?

Tulare's code: All signs must be removed when the sale ends. (Garage or yard sales in R-1, R-M or R-H zones.) (§ 10.60.110).

Can I run a family child care home in Tulare?

California law sets this for every city, including Tulare: 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)).

What signs may I put up at my home in Tulare?

Tulare's code: 1 permanent sign per residence, wall-mounted, at most 2 square feet. (Residence or business premises; no permit needed.) (§ 10.56.040); Street address numbers, not counted toward the signage allowed on a site. (§ 10.56.040).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Tulare property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Tulare

Tulare Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Tulare

Buying & selling in Tulare

Foreclosure & auctions in Tulare

Tulare overview

Zoning districts in Tulare