Permit Requirements: Tulare vs Visalia
How do permit requirements rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare has fewer restrictions than Visalia.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
The City of Tulare has not adopted a stand-alone short-term rental (STR) permit ordinance. STR operators must instead obtain a general business license under Tulare Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations) and comply with Title 10 Zoning. Tulare County's draft STR ordinance, which would have applied countywide including unincorporated areas, was rejected by the Board of Supervisors 3-2 in 2024. Statewide, California SB 346 (effective Jan 1, 2026) requires platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to share host data with local governments and to collect transient occupancy tax (TOT) on the host's behalf.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
Visalia adopted a Short-Term Rental Ordinance in October 2023 requiring all STR operators to obtain a permit. STRs are only allowed in primary residences with a maximum of 2 guest rooms.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| STR-specific permit | None — city has not adopted a dedicated STR ordinance | - |
| Required license | Business Tax Certificate under Tulare Municipal Code Title 5 | - |
| County overlay | Tulare County STR ordinance rejected 3-2 by Board of Supervisors (2024) | - |
| State framework | California SB 346 effective Jan 1, 2026 — platform data sharing | - |
| Issuing department | City of Tulare Finance Department (Business Licenses) | - |
| Permit | - | Required since Oct 2023 |
| Eligible Property | - | Primary residence only |
| Max Guest Rooms | - | 2 |
| Insurance | - | Required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Do I need a special short-term rental permit in Tulare, CA?
No. The City of Tulare has not adopted an STR-specific permit ordinance. You need a general business license under Tulare Municipal Code Title 5 and you must comply with Title 10 zoning for the property.
What happened to the Tulare County STR ordinance?
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 in 2024 to reject the proposed countywide STR ordinance. Unincorporated parcels in Tulare County therefore have no STR-specific permit requirement either, although county TOT still applies.
Does California SB 346 affect Tulare STR hosts?
Yes. As of January 1, 2026, SB 346 requires Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms to share listing data with cities and to collect transient occupancy tax on the host's behalf. This gives Tulare new tools to identify hosts operating without a city business license.
Visalia FAQ
Can I rent my investment property as an STR in Visalia?
No. Visalia's 2023 ordinance limits short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence only. Investment properties are not eligible.
How do I get an STR permit in Visalia?
Apply through the city's Community Development department. Your property must pass inspection and meet all safety requirements.
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