Tulare County
Lindsay ADU rules
Research summary of local ADU rules on file for Lindsay in Tulare County. Not a determination for a specific lot.
City or county ADU page
Lindsay Planning department. No ADU-specific page was found.
Check any California address for freeLindsay rules on file
Local rules recorded in this project for this jurisdiction. Where a city figure on file is stricter than the state baseline on file, both are shown.
Review process
ADUs are allowed ministerially in any zone that permits homes, including mixed-use zones, regardless of density. Applications are acted on ministerially within 60 days of a complete application, without discretionary review, hearings or appeal.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.B; E.11-E.12, accessed 2026-10-24.
Lot rules
A lot with an existing or proposed single-family or multifamily home. Minimum lot size may not prevent an ADU, and lots on septic may have ADUs if health standards are met.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.D; E.1, accessed 2026-10-24.
Size limits
Detached ADU: up to 1,200 sq ft. Attached ADU: 50% of the main home or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is greater. Junior ADU: up to 500 sq ft.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.E.2, accessed 2026-10-24.
Setbacks
4 feet from side and rear lot lines, unless the ADU is built inside an existing main building.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.E.4, accessed 2026-10-24.
Design review
No architectural review or subjective design standards; only objective standards that state law allows. Entrance location is not restricted.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.E.6; E.8, accessed 2026-10-24.
Parking
At most one space, unless exempt: within a half mile of public transit, in a historic district, part of the existing home or an existing accessory structure. No replacement parking when a garage or carport is removed or converted, and no parking for junior ADUs.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.E.9, accessed 2026-10-24.
Utilities
Water, sewer and other utilities as the City's building staff set; a separate connection from the main home is not required.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.E.10, accessed 2026-10-24.
Deed restrictions and owner occupancy
The code says ADUs and junior ADUs are not subject to deed restrictions or HOA influence on the permit, and owner occupancy is not required (citing Gov. Code 66315).
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.A; E.13, accessed 2026-10-24.
Impact fees
ADUs of 750 sq ft or less are exempt from impact fees; larger ADUs may be charged in proportion.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.E.14, accessed 2026-10-24.
Separate sale
Separate sale as a condominium is allowed under Gov. Code 66340-66342.
Source: City of Lindsay Municipal Code Sec. 18.14.060 Second Dwelling Units (amended by Ord. 703, 1/13/2026), municipalcodeonline print view, 18.14.060.E.17, accessed 2026-10-24.
California state rules on file
The statewide baseline recorded from state law and the HCD ADU Handbook.
Detached size cap described in state law
1,200 sq ft. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.
Side and rear setback cap for a new ADU
4 ft. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314, which describes a cap on side and rear setbacks for a new ADU.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.
Setback for a conversion of an existing structure
No additional setback, as recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314 for a conversion of an existing structure.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.
Minimum lot size
A city may not impose a minimum lot size for an ADU, as recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66314.
Source: California Government Code section 66314, 66314, accessed 2026-10-16.
Minimum unit the handbook says cities must allow
At least an 800 sq ft ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes this under section 66321(b)(3).
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66321(b)(3); handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.
Detached height described in the handbook
16 ft, or 18 ft or 20 ft in some cases. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes this under section 66321(b)(4).
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66321(b)(4); handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.
Permit decision deadline
60 days. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66317(a)(3): the permitting agency must decide on (approve or deny) a completed ADU application within 60 days when an existing single-family or multifamily dwelling is on the lot. Section 66317(a)(1) says the application is considered ministerially, without discretionary review or a hearing.
Source: California Government Code section 66317, 66317(a)(1), (a)(3), accessed 2026-10-17.
Owner-occupancy requirement
None. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66315: a local agency may not impose an owner-occupancy requirement on an ADU. It may require that the property be used for rentals of terms 30 days or longer. The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) describes the same rule.
Source: California Government Code section 66315, 66315; HCD ADU Handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-17.
Parking near public transit
No parking standards within one-half mile walking distance of public transit. Recorded in this rules file from Government Code section 66322(a)(1). Section 66322(a) lists several other cases where parking standards may not be imposed.
Source: California Government Code section 66322, 66322(a), accessed 2026-10-17.
Ministerial categories
The HCD ADU Handbook (updated March 2026) states that Government Code section 66323 sets four ministerial categories. This rules file does not restate those four categories.
Source: HCD ADU Handbook, 66323; handbook updated March 2026, accessed 2026-10-16.
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
If your lot is in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone, the CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal says in Information Bulletin 25-004 (issued March 3, 2025): “Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs) should not restrict the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). However, additional building standards may be necessary, including but not limited to California Fire Code Chapter 49 and California Building Code Chapter 7A.” State ADU law does not itself bar an ADU there. A city or county may still apply its building code, including wildfire-resistant construction (Gov. Code 66314(d)(8)); require side and rear setbacks “sufficient for fire and safety” for a unit converted under 66323(a)(1); and decline parking in setbacks on specific fire and life safety findings (66314(d)(10)(B)). It may also consider public safety when it designates where ADUs may be permitted (66314(a)). Sprinklers can't be required in an ADU or JADU if the primary residence doesn't need them (66314(d)(12), 66323(d)). Some cities and counties still apply their own fire-zone limits. Where this summary has one, it is listed with the local rules. This summary does not look up your lot. Check the CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone map viewer linked from the State Fire Marshal's Fire Hazard Severity Zones page: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/5065c998b4b0462f9ec3c6c226c610a9
Source: CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal Information Bulletin 25-004, page 4, issued March 3, 2025; Gov. Code 66314, 66323, accessed 2026-10-20.
State baseline on the directory → · State ADU rules on the homepage →
Can I build an ADU in Lindsay?
State law sets a baseline for ADUs in Lindsay, and the local standards on file are listed on this page. Whether a specific lot can add an ADU depends on zoning, utilities, and other site facts this page does not measure. Confirm with the City of Lindsay Planning Department, or run a free address summary.
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