Accessory Structures in Visalia, CA (2026)
6 verified accessory structures rules for Visalia, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Visalia Municipal Code Chapter 17.14 (adopted by City Council on January 21, 2025) regulates ADUs ministerially under California Gov. Code 66310-66342, allowing attached or detached units up to 1,200 sq ft and 16 ft tall (18 ft near transit or on multi-family parcels), with 4 ft side and rear setbacks. Owner-occupancy is not required.
ADU rules: 1,200 sq ft cap, 16 ft height, 4 ft setbacks
Some RestrictionsVisalia MC sections 17.14.090(A)-(D) (Chapter 17.14, adopted Jan 21, 2025)
17.14.090 Additional Standards Applicable to Attached and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units. A. Unit Size Requirements. ... 1. Attached Units. May not exceed 850 square feet if it has fewer than two bedrooms or 1,200 square feet if it has two or more bedrooms. An attached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 50 percent of the floor area of the primary dwelling. 2. Detached Units. May not ex...
ADU Impact Fees
ADUs under 750 square feet pay no impact fees at all in Visalia. Larger ADUs pay fees proportional to their size relative to the primary dwelling.
Accessory Structures: Adu Impact Fees
Some RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code § 17.14.080(L)
Impact Fees. No impact fees (including school fees) shall be charged to an accessory dwelling unit that is less than seven hundred fifty (750) square feet in size. Any impact fee charged to an accessory dwelling unit seven hundred fifty (750) square feet or larger in size, including accessory dwelling units converting existing space, shall be charged proportionately in relation to the square fo...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Before getting a building permit for a junior ADU (JADU), owners must record a deed restriction requiring them to live on the property for at least three years: either in the main home or in the JADU. This restriction binds all future owners.
Accessory Structures: Adu Owner Occupancy
Some RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code § 17.14.110
17.14.110 Standards applicable to junior accessory dwelling units. H. Deed Restriction. Junior accessory dwelling units shall comply with the following deed restriction requirements: 1. Deed Restriction Required. Prior to issuance of a building permit for a junior accessory dwelling unit, a deed restriction shall be recorded against the title of the property in the Tulare County Recorder's offi...
ADU Rental Restrictions
A junior ADU (JADU) in Visalia cannot be sold separately from the primary dwelling: both must remain under the same ownership. This restriction is recorded in a deed restriction that runs with the land and binds future owners.
Accessory Structures: Adu Rental Restrictions
Light RestrictionsVisalia Municipal Code § 17.14.110
17.14.110 Standards applicable to junior accessory dwelling units. H. Deed Restriction. Junior accessory dwelling units shall comply with the following deed restriction requirements: 1. Deed Restriction Required. Prior to issuance of a building permit for a junior accessory dwelling unit, a deed restriction shall be recorded against the title of the property in the Tulare County Recorder's offi...
Shed & Carport Rules
Visalia MC section 17.12.020 permits accessory structures on R-1 single-family lots, including storehouses, garden structures, greenhouses, recreation rooms, and hobby shops. California Building Code Section 105.2 (Title 24, Part 2) exempts one-story detached tool/storage sheds 120 sq ft or less from building permits, but Visalia zoning setbacks and the 35-foot R-1 height cap still apply.
Sheds & accessory buildings in R-1 zones
Some RestrictionsVisalia MC section 17.12.020 (Single-Family Residential Zone, Permitted Uses)
17.12.020 Permitted uses. ... Accessory structures located on the same site with a permitted use are permitted, including private garages and carports, one guest house, storehouses, garden structures, green houses, recreation rooms and hobby shops.
Garage Conversions
Visalia MC section 17.14.060(B) recognizes a stand-alone garage converted into an ADU as a Detached ADU, and 17.14.080(C)(1)(c) waives off-street parking for ADUs that are part of an existing primary residence or existing accessory structure. Section 17.14.080(C)(4) further provides that if a garage is demolished or converted in conjunction with an ADU, replacement parking is not required.
Garage conversion to ADU: ministerial, no replacement parking
Some RestrictionsVisalia MC section 17.14.100 (Standards Applicable to Converted ADUs)
17.14.100 Standards Applicable to Converted Accessory Dwelling Units. The following standards shall apply only to converted accessory dwelling units: A. Limited Expansion. Conversions may include an expansion of not more than 150 square feet beyond the same physical dimensions as the existing structure if the expansion is for the sole purpose of accommodating ingress and egress to the converted...
Looking for Tulare County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Visalia city rules.
Accessory Structures in Tulare County →