What Tulare Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Tulare, California may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 96 tracked ordinances across 15 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: Tulare Municipal Code §6.40.071 caps amplified sound at 70 dBA at the property line of any affected property between 6 AM and 10 PM. Sound amplification at city parks and city facilities is measured within 100 feet of the source and may not exceed 85 dBA; permitted Chapter 8.70 parade/community events share the 85 dBA ceiling..

Also covered: Construction Hours (permissive), Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Barking Dogs (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Tulare for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Tulare follows the California Swimming Pool Safety Act. New construction or remodels at single-family homes must install at least TWO of seven approved drowning-prevention features under Cal.

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Tulare for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits: Tulare has no STR-specific occupancy cap. Maximum occupancy defaults to the California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) and California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) — generally two persons per bedroom plus one additional person, or based on the actual sleeping-area square footage (70 sq ft for the first occupant, 50 sq ft per additional occupant under CBC Section 1208).

Also covered: Taxes & Fees (moderate), Registration Rules (permissive), Extended Home Share (permissive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Tulare for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 7.32 imposes mandatory year-round outdoor watering restrictions tied to a stage-based conservation framework. Odd-numbered addresses water Tuesday and Saturday; even-numbered addresses water Wednesday and Sunday.

Also covered: Artificial Turf (permissive), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Tulare for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Tulare Municipal Code Chapter 3.12 (Outdoor Burning) regulates all open burning. Open burning of yard waste, trash and construction debris is prohibited; only contained recreational fires (3-foot fire bowl, clean wood/charcoal) and approved cooking are allowed.

Also covered: Wildfire Zones (permissive), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Tulare for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Tulare Municipal Code § 10.16.160 sets a 5-foot minimum pool fence height; California Health & Safety Code § 115922 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) imposes the stricter standard of a 60-inch barrier plus at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention safety features for any new or remodeled residential pool or spa..

Also covered: Approved Materials (moderate), Height Limits (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Tulare for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Home occupations in Tulare must stay invisible from the street. Under Chapter 10.124 standards and the residential-character requirement, on-premise advertising signs identifying a home-based business are not permitted on dwellings or yards in R-A, R-1, R-2 or R-3 zones.

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Tulare for details.

Trash & Recycling

Yard Waste Collection: Tulare's green organics cart is mandatory and now takes BOTH yard trimmings and food waste together under SB 1383 (TMC Ch. 7.17).

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (strict), Bin Placement Rules (strict). See the full trash & recycling guide for Tulare for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Tulare Municipal Code § 9.48.120 (Commercial vehicle parking restrictions / Large trucks — Parking in residential district) makes it unlawful to leave or park any commercial vehicle of more than two-ton capacity — including trucks, truck trailers, trailers, or tractors — whether attended or unattended, in any residential district as established under the Tulare zoning code. The rule applies on public streets and rights-of-way in any R-zone.

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Tulare for details.

Animal Ordinances

Animal Hoarding: Animal hoarding is prosecuted under California Penal Code § 597 (animal cruelty) — neither Tulare nor California sets a specific numeric threshold. Hoarding is charged whenever overcrowding compromises animal welfare, nutrition, or veterinary care.

Also covered: Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Breed Restrictions (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Tulare for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Tulare regulates yard and garage sales themselves under Municipal Code § 6.12.300, and the Finance Department at City Hall (411 E. Kern Ave.) issues yard sale applications.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Tulare for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Tulare Municipal Code Ch 8.52 (Preservation of Heritage Trees) makes it unlawful to destroy or remove any heritage tree on public OR private property within city limits without a permit. Parkway/street trees in the public right-of-way are separately governed by Ch 8.32 and also require a permit before removal.

Also covered: Protected Tree Species (strict), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate), Parkway Planting (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Tulare for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Tulare allows one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family parcel in R-1, R-M, and R-H zones under TMC § 10.60.030, plus one junior ADU under § 10.60.040. The city mirrors state law: minimum 4 ft side/rear setbacks, no local development standard (lot coverage, FAR, open space, minimum lot size) may block an ADU up to 800 sq ft.

Also covered: ADU Owner Occupancy (permissive), Tiny Homes (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Tulare for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Tulare participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Tulare Municipal Code § 10.48.060 (Provisions for Flood Hazard Reduction) imposes construction standards on properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) shown on the current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

Also covered: Coastal Development (permissive), Grading & Drainage (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Tulare for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Tulare Municipal Code contains no dedicated chapter regulating recreational unmanned aircraft systems (drones / UAS). Operations are governed primarily by federal rules: FAA 14 CFR Part 107 (commercial) and 49 U.S.C.

Also covered: Commercial Drones (moderate), Park Drone Restrictions (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Tulare for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Tulare includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.