Skip to content

Tulare County · Building on your lot

Building in a flood zone in Tulare County

In any area of special flood hazard, a Building Permit is needed before construction or development.

Ask about building in a flood zone in Tulare County See coverage

Key points

  • Flood zones: In any area of special flood hazard, a Building Permit is needed before construction or development.

Each rule below links to the section of the Tulare County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Tulare County's code says

Tulare County code What Tulare County's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • A Building Permit is needed before construction or development; plans may show structures, fill, stored materials, drainage and elevations.
    Applies: In any area of special flood hazard.
    § 7-27-1090 · code text
    A Building Permit shall be obtained in accordance with Chapter 15 of this Part before construction or development is commenced within any area of special flood hazard established in section 7-27-1020 of this Chapter.
Height of the lowest floor
  • At or above the FIRM depth number, measured from the highest adjacent grade.
    Applies: New or substantially improved buildings in Zone AO.
    § 7-27-1180 · code text
    New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in Zone AO shall have the bottom of the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the depth number specified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as measured from the highest adjacent grade.
  • At least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.
    Applies: New or substantially improved buildings in Zone A without a FIRM base flood elevation, when the county cannot reasonably set one.
    § 7-27-1180 · code text
    then the Planning and Development Director and Public Works Director may require that any new construction or substantial improvement of any structures defined in ASCE 24 shall have the bottom of the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to: a height of at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade or DFE, whichever is higher, found in Chapter 2 of ASCE 24.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Tulare County flood zone?

In any area of special flood hazard, a Building Permit is needed before construction or development.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Tulare County property

Ask GoCodebook how Tulare County's building in a flood zone rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Tulare County

All building on your lot rules in Tulare County

Swimming pools in Tulare County

Tulare County Municipal Code — full text