Unincorporated Tulare County ADU rules

Maximum size

A detached ADU may be up to 1,200 sq ft. An attached ADU may be up to 50% of the home's total floor area, but no more than 1,200 sq ft. State law still allows an attached ADU of at least 800 sq ft (Gov. Code § 66321(b)(3)). The ADU must be clearly secondary to the home.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions, § 15(A)(6)(c)(3), accessed 2026-11-01.

Setbacks

A new ADU needs side and rear setbacks of no more than 4 ft. No setback is needed for existing living area or an accessory structure converted to an ADU, or for a structure rebuilt in the same place with the same dimensions. Other yard rules of the zone apply. No passageway is required.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions, § 15(A)(6)(c)(1)(b), (5), (8), (11), accessed 2026-11-01.

Local ADU rules

The County's ADU rules are in Zoning Ordinance Section 15, subsection A, paragraph 6, subparagraph c (Accessory Dwelling Units), and its JADU rules are in subparagraph d. They were last amended by Ordinance No. 3626, effective May 16, 2023. ADUs are permitted ministerially in all areas zoned for single-family or multifamily homes, based on water and sewer service and traffic and safety.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions, § 15(A)(6)(c), (d), accessed 2026-11-01.

ADU types and how many

On a lot with a home: one ADU inside a proposed or existing single-family home, and one new detached ADU with 4 ft side and rear setbacks. The ADU may be combined with a JADU. On a lot with a multifamily building: ADUs inside non-livable space (such as storage rooms, attics, basements or garages), at least one and up to 25% of the existing units.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions, § 15(A)(6)(c)(1)-(2), accessed 2026-11-01.

Height

An ADU follows the height limit of its zone. In the R-1 zone that is 2 1/2 stories and 35 ft to the top of the roof. Other zones have their own limits. State law allows a detached ADU of at least 16 ft, and an attached ADU up to 25 ft or the zone limit, whichever is lower.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 (ADUs) and Section 6 R-1 Zone, § 15(A)(6)(c)(11); § 6(B), accessed 2026-11-01.

Parking

Parking for an ADU may not be more than one space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less. The space may be tandem on a driveway, and may be in setback areas unless the County finds that unsafe. This does not apply to the ADUs state law exempts from parking (Gov. Code § 66322), such as one within a half mile walk of public transit or inside the home or an accessory structure. JADUs need no parking.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions, § 15(A)(2)(a), (A)(6)(c)(6), (A)(6)(d)(7), accessed 2026-11-01.

Junior ADUs

A JADU may be up to 500 sq ft, built within the walls of the home. One is allowed per lot with a home. It needs a separate entrance and an efficiency kitchen with a cooking facility, a counter and storage cabinets. It may have its own bathroom or share one. A deed restriction must be filed with the Permit Center so the JADU is not sold apart from the home. No parking is needed.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions, § 15(A)(6)(d)(1), (3)-(7), accessed 2026-11-01.

Utilities and rental

An ADU may be rented, but for terms longer than 30 days, and may not be sold apart from the home. Fire sprinklers are needed only if the main home needs them. Where a sewer or water system serves the ADU, the provider must send a letter saying it can serve it; on a septic system, Environmental Health must sign off. A JADU is not a separate unit for water, sewer or power connection fees.

Source: Tulare County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance Code Chapter 3), Section 15 General Provisions and Exceptions, § 15(A)(6)(c)(4), (10), (13), (14), (16); (A)(6)(d)(9), accessed 2026-11-01.

State housing department (HCD) review

On October 8, 2025, HCD sent the County a technical assistance letter. It said the newest County ADU ordinance HCD had on file was from 2019 and may be out of date, and it listed recent changes to state ADU law. It did not make findings on specific County rules. HCD asked for a response by November 7, 2025. The County's code shows a 2023 amendment (Ordinance No. 3626). Confirm the current rules with the County of Tulare.

Source: HCD letter of technical assistance, Tulare County, Letter of October 8, 2025, accessed 2026-11-01.

County ready-made ADU plans

The County offers ready-made ADU plans on its ADU page, including a 360 sq ft studio, a 484 sq ft one-bedroom, a 748 sq ft two-bedroom and a 1,200 sq ft three-bedroom. You still need a full site plan showing structures, property lines, setbacks, wells and septic systems. Call the Permit Center at (559) 624-7100 to check your property.

Source: Tulare County Resource Management Agency, ADU permits page, accessed 2026-11-01.