Tulare County, CA Accessory Structures: Tiny Homes (2026)

How Tulare County treats a 'tiny home' depends on whether it is built on a permanent foundation or on wheels. A small dwelling on a permanent foundation is generally permitted as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) - the same ministerial pathway described in the County's ADU rules, governed by the County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 352) and California ADU law (Gov. Code 66310-66342), which preempts local standards. State law bars the County from setting a minimum ADU size above 150 square feet and from refusing a permit for an ADU up to 800 square feet, so a foundation-built tiny home that meets building, water, and sewer requirements is a realistic option in the R-A, R-O, R-1, R-2, R-3, MR and PD-F-M zones. The County's free pre-approved ADU plans include studio-scale homes designed for unincorporated areas. By contrast, a 'tiny house on wheels' is classified as a recreational vehicle (RV) or movable structure under state law; RVs are not permitted as full-time independent dwellings on a residential lot and are typically allowed only in licensed RV parks or temporarily. Because HCD flagged the County's 2019 ADU ordinance as possibly outdated, foundation-built tiny homes should be expected to follow current state ADU standards until a compliant local ordinance is adopted.