Tulare City Zoning Code

   The purpose of this chapter is to establish zone districts and a Zoning Map to classify, regulate, restrict, and segregate the uses of land and buildings, to regulate and restrict the height and bulk of buildings, to regulate the area of yards and other open spaces about buildings, and to regulate the density of population.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

   The zoning districts are applicable in all areas of the city.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

   (A)   Base zone districts establish the basic land use and property development regulations applicable to all property within the city, as provided in § 10.02.110. Overlay zone districts provide additional regulations that are to be exercised over certain lands within the overlay zone to meet special community health, safety, welfare, environmental, or development objectives described by the General Plan or a specific plan. Overlay zone district regulations apply in addition to base zone district regulations and other regulations of this chapter.

   (B)   The base zoning districts are hereby established as follows:

      (1)   Rural Residential zone, abbreviated R-1-20.

      (2)   Residential Estate zone, abbreviated R-1-12.5.

      (3)   Low Density Residential zone, abbreviated as R-1 (R-1-4 & R-1-6).

      (4)   Medium Density Residential zone, abbreviated as R-M.

      (5)   High Density Residential zone, abbreviated as R-H (R-H-14 & R-H-20).

      (6)   Neighborhood Commercial zone, abbreviated as C-1.

      (7)   Office Commercial zone, abbreviated as C-2.

      (8)   Retail Commercial zone, abbreviated as C-3.

      (9)   Service Commercial zone, abbreviated as C-4.

      (10)   Light Industrial zone, abbreviated as M-1.

      (11)   Heavy Industrial zone, abbreviated as M-2.

      (12)   Public Lands zone, abbreviated as PL.

      (13)   Parks and Recreation zone, abbreviated as PR.

      (14)   Agricultural/Open Space zone, abbreviated as A.

   (C)   The overlay zoning districts are hereby established as follows:

      (1)   Historic Site and Historic Neighborhood Overlay zone, abbreviated as H.

      (2)   Planned Unit Development Overlay zone, abbreviated as PD.

      (3)   Downtown Design Overlay zone, abbreviated as D.

      (4)   Airport Overlay zone, abbreviated as AP.

      (5)   Mixed-Use Overlay zone, abbreviated as MU.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

   (A)   To ensure that comprehensive zoning regulations may be applied uniformly to all incorporated territories upon adoption of this title, a Zoning Map is hereby established to delineate the location and boundaries of zone districts within the city. The Zoning Map is incorporated into this title by this reference with the same force and effect as if the boundaries, together with any notations, references, and information shown on the Zoning Map, were specifically stated and described in this title.

   (B)   The Zoning Map, together with such additional maps as may be adopted in accordance with the provisions of this title, shall be collectively known as the "City of Tulare Zoning Map."

   (C)   The official copy of the Zoning Map shall be kept, maintained, and made available to the public by the Tulare Community Development Department. The Zoning Map may be maintained in hard copy and/or electronic formats.

   (D)   All property within the incorporated territory shall be delineated within a zoning district on the Zoning Map.

   (E)   The location of zoning districts on the Zoning Map shall be consistent with the applicable policies and land use designations set forth in the General Plan.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

   Whenever any uncertainty exists as to the boundary line between two zoning districts shown on the Zoning Map, the following interpretations shall control:

   (A)   Where a zoning boundary line is indicated as following a street, alley, railroad right-of-way, drainage channel, or other watercourse, the center line of such street, alley, railroad right-of-way, drainage channel, or other watercourse shall be the boundary line.

   (B)   Where a zoning boundary line is indicated as following a lot line or property line, the boundary line shall be construed as following such lot line or property line.

   (C)   Where a zoning boundary line is not indicated as following a street or alley and does not follow or coincide approximately with a lot line or property line, the zoning boundary line shall be determined by the Director utilizing the scale designated on the Zoning Map.

   (D)   Where further uncertainty exists, the Planning Commission, upon a written application from the owner of the property in question or upon its own motion, shall determine the location of the zoning boundary line in question, giving due consideration to the location indicated on the Zoning Map, the purposes and objectives of the zoning ordinance, and the applicable policies set forth in the General Plan.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

   (A)   Changes to the Zoning Map shall be approved by the ordinance of the City Council in accordance with Chapter 10.86.

   (B)   When the Director determines that there is a technical error on the Zoning Map, the Zoning Map may be corrected to remove the technical error without the approval of an ordinance.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

   Territories proposed for annexation into the city shall be prezoned concurrent with the City Council initiation of annexation proceedings, in accordance with Chapter 10.86.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)

   When a public street, alley, or railroad right-of-way is abandoned, the abandoned territory shall be immediately, and without any further action, included in the zoning district of the adjacent territory.

(Ord. 2025-01, passed 1-7-2025)