Tulare, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

The R-A (Rural Residential) zone expressly lists 'home occupations, subject to the requirements contained in Chapter 10.124, Home Occupation Permits' as a permitted use (Tulare Code § 10.28.020), and Chapter 10.124 governs home occupations citywide. Typical home-occupation standards in California cities like Tulare keep the use clearly incidental and secondary to the dwelling: the business must be operated by a resident of the home, the residential character of the property and neighborhood must not change, and outside storage of business materials, stock, or equipment is prohibited. Applicants must submit the city's Home Occupation Permit application (revised June 2022) to the Community Development / Planning Department at 411 E. Kern Ave., and the use is subject to inspection by Building and Fire before the Business Tax Certificate is issued (inspections Tues/Thurs at 1:30 p.m.). State preemption applies for certain uses: cottage food operations (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 113758) and small/large family daycare homes (Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 1597.45, 1597.455) must be treated as residential 'use by right' and cannot be prohibited by Tulare's zoning code.