Tulare City Zoning Code

   This chapter shall apply to all land within the Rural Residential (R-1-20) zone. The purpose of the R-1-20 zone is to provide living areas within the city where development is limited to very low density concentrations of one-family dwellings at a density of zero to two dwellings per gross acre, where mini-farms or ranchettes may be developed with the allowance for limited numbers of livestock to be raised and crops to be grown.

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

   Uses shall be permitted or not permitted, conditionally permitted, administratively permitted, or temporarily permitted as prescribed in the land use table in § 10.08.020.

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

   The minimum lot area shall be 20,000 square feet, except that a municipal water well site shall have a minimum lot area of 2,000 square feet.

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

   (A)   The minimum lot frontage shall be 40 feet on a public street.

   (B)   The minimum lot width shall be 100 feet.

   (C)   The minimum lot depth shall be 100 feet.

   (D)   A municipal water well site shall not be subject to minimum lot dimension standards.

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

   Not more than one dwelling unit shall be allowed on each lot unless approved as an accessory dwelling unit in accordance with § 10.60.030.

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

   The maximum coverage of a lot in the R-1-20 zone shall be 50% of the area of the lot.

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

   (A)   No structure shall be placed within a building setback area.

   (B)   The front building setback area shall be a minimum of 30 feet from the front lot line.

   (C)   For single-family dwellings that include a usable front porch measuring at least ten feet in width by five feet in depth, the front yard setback may be reduced by five feet.

   (D)   The rear building setback shall be a minimum of 15 feet from the rear lot line.

   (E)   The side building setback area shall be a minimum of 15 feet from a side lot line.

   (F)   A garage or carport facing the street shall be set back at least 20 feet from the property line. If the garage does not face the street, the garage may be set back the required minimum distance listed in divisions (A) through (E) above.

   (G)   Structures used for the purpose of housing livestock or for processing, packing, or storing agricultural produce shall be at least 50 feet away from the front property line, at least 25 feet from the street side of a corner lot, and at least 100 feet from any public parks, schools, hospitals, or similar institution.

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

   (A)   The minimum distance between structures shall be ten feet, except as provided by the building code.

   (B)   The minimum distance between residential structures and structures used for the purpose of housing livestock or for processing, packing, or storing agricultural produce shall be 30 feet.

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

   The maximum structure height shall be 35 feet unless approved up to 50 feet with a conditional use permit in accordance with Chapter 10.80.

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

   (A)   The width of a driveway and any paved area shall not cumulatively exceed 40% of the width of the lot's street frontage on which the driveway and any paved area face. In the case of "L" or "U" shaped driveways or other configurations besides perpendicular driveways, the paved area of these driveways shall not exceed 50% of the front building setback area.

   (B)   On corner lots, the driveway shall be located on the side of the lot adjacent to the interior lot line.

   (C)   On key lots, the driveway shall be located on the side of the lot that is not adjacent to the rear lot line of the adjacent reverse corner lot.

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

   Accessory structures may be located within a required rear or side building setback area subject to all of the following:

   (A)   The walls shall be at least five feet from the rear and side lot lines.

   (B)   The accessory structure shall be separated from other structures by a minimum of ten feet.

   (C)   This section does not apply to an accessory dwelling unit (as defined in Cal. Gov’t Code § 65852.2) which is instead regulated by § 10.60.030.

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

   (A)   Mechanical equipment shall be located a minimum of three feet from a side lot line that adjoins a neighboring side lot line.

   (B)   Above- or below-ground swimming pools shall be set back three feet from all lot lines.

   (C)   Architectural features, including eaves, sills, chimneys, and cornices, may extend up to 30 inches into a required side yard or space between structures and up to 36 inches into a required front or rear yard.

   (D)   Uncovered, unenclosed porches, platforms, or landing places that do not extend above the level of the first floor of the building may extend up to six feet into a required front, side, or rear yard, or into a space between buildings. Railing up to 30 inches tall may be installed on any such porch, platform, or landing.

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

   (A)   Off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided on the site for each use as prescribed in Chapter 10.54.

   (B)   Single-family dwellings shall provide a minimum of two covered parking spaces. Each space shall measure a minimum of nine feet in width and 20 feet in depth. All parking spaces and driveways shall be surfaced with asphalt concrete, chip seal, or other suitable all-weather surfacing. Where a carport or garage is open to a public street, a driveway length of at least 20 feet shall be provided between the parking structure and the front property line.

   (C)   Required parking spaces may not be provided within any front, side, or rear building setback area except that garages or carports opening onto an alley shall be set back five feet, provided that the structure, including roof overhang, shall not extend into the alley right-of-way.

   (D)   The exterior siding and roofing materials utilized on garages and carports shall match the design and materials of any single-family dwelling on the same lot. New two-car carports may be utilized in place of a two-car garage only if located at least 20 feet behind the front building setback line and must be connected to the main dwelling, have a similar roof pitch as the main dwelling, use similar roofing material as the main dwelling, and have support beams or posts that are decorative in style.

   (E)   No recreation vehicle, including, without limitation, camping trailer, boat trailer, utility trailer, boat, pickup camper, motor home, dune buggy, or similar vehicle/trailer shall be stored or parked, except within a fenced side or rear yard or within a garage or carport.

   (F)   No recreational vehicle or trailer shall be used as a residence.

   (G)   All motor vehicles incapable of movement under their own power, other than in cases of emergency, shall be stored in an entirely enclosed space, garage, or carport.

   (H)   Repair of vehicles owned by the resident of the property and storage of parts shall be within an enclosed garage or carport if no garage exists. Vehicle repair and storage of parts are prohibited in a driveway and the front or street side building setback areas.

   (I)   Driveways shall be designed so that vehicles are not required to back out onto collector or arterial streets.

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

   There is no open space requirement in the Rural Residential zone.

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

   (A)   Landscaping shall be provided for each use as prescribed in Chapter 10.52 standards.

   (B)   Except for driveways and approved parking areas, all setback areas visible from the street(s) shall be landscaped with live plant materials and ornamentation, or up to 100% of the yard and setback area may be landscaped with artificial turf and other permeable surfaces.

   (C)   Required landscaping is to be installed prior to occupancy and continually maintained pursuant to Chapter 10.52. The Director may grant an exception to this section to avoid planting in inclement weather.

   (D)   Landscaped areas are not to be used or converted to parking areas or any other use which results in the damage or removal of the landscaping. However, the widening of an existing paved driveway perpendicular to the street is permitted if the total width of the existing paving and the new paving does not exceed 50% of the lot frontage along the street.

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

   Fences, walls, and hedges in the R-1-20 zone shall conform to the design standards in § 10.50.040 and the following:

   (A)   These regulations do not apply to fences or walls required by regulations of a state or federal agency, or by the city for reasons of public safety, or to retaining walls that adjoin land uses.

   (B)   Fences, walls, and hedges may be erected and properly maintained to the heights identified below and measured from the highest adjoining finish grade:

      (1)   Fences, walls, and hedges shall not exceed four feet in height in a required front yard, and in the street side yard of a corner lot, provided that the top one foot shall be of a see-through material such as wrought iron. Hedges up to three feet tall are also permitted in a required front yard.

      (2)   Fences and walls shall not exceed seven feet in height in any rear or side yard or other areas outside a required front yard.

      (3)   On corner lots, a fence may not exceed four feet in height in the street corner area of the parcel formed by a right triangle with the right angle at the street corner property lines and its right-angle sides measuring 25 feet. The top one foot of the fence shall be of a see-through material (such as wrought iron).

      (4)   Walls along arterial and collector streets shall be installed and maintained equal to a minimum of six feet and a maximum of seven feet in height.

      (5)   Walls greater than seven feet in height may be permitted, if approved by the Planning Commission, to mitigate noise impacts identified in the Tulare General Plan.

   (C)   All fences shall be limited to the following materials or a combination of materials:

      (1)   Front and street side yards:

         (a)   Concrete/block/brick.

         (b)   Latticework fencing.

         (c)   Wood (excluding plywood, OSB, or other wood not typically designed or used for fencing).

         (d)   Wrought iron.

         (e)   Vinyl.

         (f)   Chain link fencing.

      (2)   Rear and interior side yards:

         (a)   Concrete/block.

         (b)   Latticework fencing.

         (c)   Wood (excluding plywood, OSB, or other wood not typically designed or used for fencing).

         (d)   Vinyl.

   (D)   Perimeter walls around residential subdivisions shall be of neutral color and shall be textured with stone, brick, stucco, or other surface finish. Walls shall incorporate vertical elements (e.g., pilasters, indentations) of differing colors and/or materials at least every 50 feet.

   (E)   Temporary fencing may be necessary to protect archaeological or historic resources and/or trees during site preparation and construction. Temporary fencing for these purposes shall be subject to the review and approval of the Director.

   (F)   Swimming pools shall be entirely enclosed by structures, fences, or walls in compliance with Cal. Gov’t Code § 115920 - The Swimming Pool Act.

      (1)   Pool fences shall have a minimum height of five feet. Such fences shall be substantial and shall be constructed so there are no openings greater than four inches when all gates are closed. All gates, five feet or less in width, in enclosing fences shall be self-closing and self-latching. All gates greater than five feet in width shall be provided with a means of latching said gate closed. All latches on gates in enclosing fences shall be a minimum of 60 inches above grade. No pool shall be filled with water until the enclosing fence has been constructed and approved by the building inspector. Surrounding structures, existing fences, and gates shall suffice for this requirement if they comply with all requirements of this section as determined by the building inspector.

   (G)   The city reserves the right to remove, at the expense of the owner of the property or properties enclosed by the fence, any fence in a public easement in any emergency.

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

   Signs placed in the Rural Residential zone shall be subject to the requirements and standards prescribed in Chapter 10.56.

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

   The following standards apply to all single-family dwellings, including manufactured homes, developed in the R-1-20 district:

   (A)   The minimum width of a primary one-family dwelling or manufactured home shall be 20 feet.

   (B)   All residential units shall be attached to a permanent foundation, pursuant to the State's Health and Safety Code.

   (C)   Roofing material shall be composed of composition shingles, ceramic tile, wood shakes, wood shingles, or other materials consistent with the Uniform Building Code.

   (D)   Exterior siding material shall be composed of, or resemble, wood, masonry, or plaster.

   (E)   Siding shall extend to the ground, except when a solid concrete or masonry perimeter foundation or retaining wall is used, in which case the material need only extend to the top of the foundation or wall.

   (F)   Manufactured homes must be certified under the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974.

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