ADU Rental Restrictions: Tulare vs Visalia
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare has fewer restrictions than Visalia.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
California law (Gov. Code § 65852.2(a)(6)) prohibits renting an ADU for less than 31 days, effectively banning short-term/vacation rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) of any ADU permitted after January 1, 2020. Tulare's TMC § 10.60.030 incorporates this limitation by reference to state law. Long-term rentals (31 days or longer) are permitted and the ADU cannot be sold separately from the primary dwelling (with limited SB 9 / qualified nonprofit exceptions).
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
California Government Code §65852.2(a)(6) prohibits using ADUs and JADUs as short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days. Visalia goes further: VMC §17.32.166 (effective December 6, 2023) expressly prohibits ADUs, garages, tents, camper trailers, RVs, and other exterior structures from being used as short-term rentals or as bedrooms within an STR. Long-term rentals of 30+ days are permitted with no additional Visalia license requirement for the ADU itself.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum rental term | 31 days (Gov. Code § 65852.2(a)(6)) | - |
| Short-term rentals | Prohibited statewide for permitted ADUs | - |
| Separate sale | Not allowed except SB 9 lot split or qualified nonprofit | - |
| Rent cap | AB 1482 applies after first 15 years of CO (Civ. Code § 1947.12) | - |
| Just-cause eviction | Civ. Code § 1946.2 applies to most ADU tenancies | - |
| Local STR ordinance | Tulare County draft STR ordinance voted down Feb 2025 | - |
| Minimum Lease (ADU) | - | 30 days (state-mandated) |
| Visalia ADU Ban | - | VMC §17.32.166 (Dec. 6, 2023) |
| State Statute | - | CA Gov Code §65852.2(a)(6) (AB 587) |
| Deed Restriction | - | Recorded at ADU permit issuance |
| Long-Term Rentals | - | Allowed, no city license needed |
| Separate Sale | - | Not allowed (no AB 1033 opt-in) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Can I rent my Tulare ADU on Airbnb?
No. California Gov. Code § 65852.2(a)(6) bans rentals under 31 days for any ADU permitted on or after Jan 1, 2020. This is state law — Tulare cannot override it.
What's the minimum lease term?
31 days. Month-to-month, six-month, and one-year leases are all fine. Anything under 31 days is illegal.
Can I sell my ADU separately from the main house?
Generally no. Exceptions: SB 9 urban lot splits (Gov. Code § 66411.7) or conveyance by a qualified nonprofit under Gov. Code § 65852.26.
Visalia FAQ
Can I list my Visalia ADU on Airbnb?
No. Both California Government Code §65852.2(a)(6) and Visalia Municipal Code §17.32.166 prohibit using an ADU as a short-term rental of fewer than 30 days. Only the primary dwelling's habitable interior may be used as an STR.
Can I rent my ADU to a long-term tenant?
Yes. Leases of 30 days or longer are permitted with no additional Visalia license. Standard California landlord-tenant law applies, including the Tenant Protection Act where applicable.
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