Tulare County, CA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Ordinance Code § 7-15-1000 adopts the 2022 California Building Standards Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, in its entirety for the unincorporated territory of Tulare County, with the Resource Management Agency Director (or the Fire Chief for fire-related work) administering it. Permit fees are set by Board of Supervisors resolution and, under § 7-15-1020, must be collected in full before the permit is issued; applicants may instead maintain a fee deposit account under § 7-15-1025 and apply by phone, fax or email once the deposit covers the fee.

Agricultural Group U buildings with no utilities besides a single lighting circuit are exempt from the inspection fee under § 7-15-1030, though the owner can voluntarily bring the building under the code per § 7-15-1035. 34 (parcel legality), the Zoning Ordinance No. 352, road access requirements of § 7-19-1548, and any applicable school-facility fee findings under Chapter 21. Determinations may be appealed in writing to the five-member Local Appeals Board within thirty days under § 7-15-1050(c), though that board's function is currently suspended in favor of direct appeal to the Board of Supervisors under § 165. Building without a required permit, or performing work contrary to Chapter 15, is declared a public nuisance under § 7-15-1065(a).