Tulare County — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

In unincorporated Tulare County, "design review" work is handled primarily through the Site Plan Review framework established by the County Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 352) and implemented in the County Ordinance Code (Part VII). The County uses a Site Plan Review Committee and a required design conference for subdivisions and for projects in zones that trigger site-plan/architectural review; many project-specific design decisions (conditions, dedications, improvements) are imposed at that review. For code authority and thresholds see the Zoning/land-use provisions (notably the Site Plan / subdivision articles) and the California standards that still apply to construction drawings (Title 24). For background on how the County organizes zoning rules, see the Tulare County zoning overview (design review) page.

Note: this page describes rules that apply only to the County’s unincorporated areas. Incorporated cities inside Tulare County have their own codes.

What "design review" means in Tulare County (short)

• The County does not use a separate countywide “architectural review board” name in the excerpts retrieved — it relies on the Site Plan Review Committee and Planning bodies to review site plans, subdivisions, and certain permits and to hold the required design conference.

Key standards and process (county-level)

• Preliminary site plan required by zoning: If a subdivision lies in a zone that requires site-plan review, a site plan and associated documents must be submitted with the preliminary map. § 7-01-1605.
• Design conference: The Site Plan Review Committee must conduct a design conference within 10 days after submission of a preliminary map; the Director and public agency reps make recommendations and the Planning and Development Director prepares a report. § 7-01-1630 – § 7-01-1635.
• Site Plan Review Committee authority: The Committee can approve, conditionally approve or disapprove tentative parcel maps and site plans where required by the Zoning Ordinance; it specifies dedications and improvements on approval. § 7-01-2320.
• Industrial/commercial multi-building exemption: Financing or leasing of multiple industrial or commercial buildings on a single parcel may be exempted from subdivision procedures provided a site plan is reviewed and approved by the Site Plan Review Committee (Ordinance No. 352 / § 16.2 reference). § 7-01-1455 and related provisions.
• Geo-hydrological reports and fees: Preliminary/final geological-hydrological reports are required where specified; the County charges fees for Health Officer review. § 7-01-1610 – § 7-01-1615.
• Timing: The Site Plan Review Committee shall hold its public hearing within 30 days after filing a tentative parcel map (or as otherwise extended by mutual consent). § 7-01-2315.
• Appeals: Decisions of the Site Plan Review Committee and the Planning and Development Director are appealable (e.g., to the Board of Supervisors); the rules for appeals and timing are set out in the Code. § 7-01-2350; § 7-03-1020.

Practical note: the Zoning Ordinance is referenced throughout (Ordinance No. 352, often by cross-reference to § 16.2). If a provision “requires site plan review” the authoritative details (which uses, which zones, district-specific dimensional standards) are established in Ordinance No. 352 and the County Supplemental Zoning Map; those district-by-district specifics were not present in the retrieved excerpts and must be checked in the full Zoning Ordinance and map. Not found in retrieved materials: district tables with full permitted-use lists and dimensional standards for every zone (R‑1, C‑N, M‑1, etc.). Verify with the jurisdiction.

District-by-district breakdown (what the retrieved materials show)

The Tulare County Ordinance Code references the Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 352) and several combining/supplemental zones. The file excerpts below identify the County’s process and a few named zones; the full zone-by-zone permitted uses and numeric development standards are in Ordinance No. 352 and the Supplemental Zoning Map (not fully reproduced in the materials provided). Where the County text specifies a rule, a statutory citation is given.

### F (Foothill Combining Zone)

• Purpose: a combining zone applied in foothill areas that imposes additional filing requirements and review for grading and site stabilization. § 7-15-1360 (h) references the "F" Foothill Combining Zone and requires Planning Commission approval of grading/slope stabilization plans pursuant to Section 16.2 (Site Plan Review) of Ordinance No. 352.
• Typical triggers: major grading, final site plan for subdivisions, special filing requirements. § 7-15-1360; § 18.7.B.2 referenced in the Code.
• Key numeric standards: Not found in retrieved materials — see Ordinance No. 352 for numeric setbacks, lot sizes and lot coverage in the F overlay. Verify with the jurisdiction.

### A‑1 (Agricultural)

• Purpose: County treats A‑1 (Agricultural) as a primary long-term classification; the Supplemental Zoning Map and Ordinance No. 352 control what uses and exceptions apply. § 7-11-1015 references A1 in the context of supplemental zoning.
• Typical permitted uses: agricultural production, accessory farm structures — actual permitted-use lists are in Ordinance No. 352 (not reproduced here). Not found in retrieved materials: A‑1 numeric standards and full permitted-use table — verify with the Zoning Ordinance.

### Industrial zones (designated industrial in the Zoning Ordinance)

• Purpose & applicability: Where land is designated industrial in the General Plan/Zoning Ordinance, subdivisions and plans must comply with industrial standards and may require Site Plan Review and dedicated access from appropriate roads. § 7-01-1455 requires subdivision plans appropriate for industrial use and notes that a Site Plan Review Committee approval of a site plan may exempt a property from subdivision procedures if conditions are met.
• Typical permitted uses: manufacturing, warehouses, industrial services — see Ordinance No. 352 for specifics.
• Key numeric standards: Not found in retrieved materials — verify with Ordinance No. 352.

### Commercial zones

• Purpose: Commercial designations are referenced where multi-building commercial projects may be exempted from parcel map procedures if a site plan is approved by the Site Plan Review Committee. § 7-01-1460 and § 7-01-1455 (and cross-references to Ordinance No. 352) apply.
• Typical permitted uses and district standards: Not found in retrieved materials — see Ordinance No. 352 and the Supplemental Zoning Map.

### Residential (general site-level rules)

• Front setback baseline: The County's building-line setback rules for residences note 25 ft from the edge of right-of-way as a typical measure unless other provisions apply (references to applicable provisions of Ordinance No. 352). § 7-19-1005 – § 7-19-1190 provide setback language for corner and other lots. Bold: 25 ft front setback (where the Code specifies).
• Exceptions and variances: Certain uses/structures may be allowed within setbacks and variances/use permits are handled under the Zoning Ordinance. § 7-19-1195 references exceptions and cross-references Ordinance No. 352.
• Lot coverage / FAR / exact residential height limits: Not found in retrieved materials — check Ordinance No. 352 and district tables.

Table: district-specific numeric details are not present in the retrieved materials. For full permitted uses and dimensional tables for R‑1, C‑N, M‑1, etc., see Ordinance No. 352 (Zoning) and the Supplemental Zoning Map. Not found in retrieved materials: the complete district-by-district numeric table.

Decision‑relevant standards & uses (quick reference table)

How design review intersects with other permit topics (links to related pages)

• Where a project requires review of parking plans (off-street parking or loading), the County’s site plan process will enforce the County’s parking standards and conditions. See the County parking rules for detail. Tulare County Parking
• Design and dimensional requirements are tied to the County’s development standards and district rules; check the Zoning Ordinance district tables and the County’s development-standards pages. Tulare County Development Standards
• Combining/overlay rules (for example F Foothill Combining Zone) can impose extra site-plan and grading standards; consult overlay rules. Tulare County Overlay Districts
• Historic resources will affect any design standards; consult the County’s historic-preservation rules before design review. Tulare County Historic Preservation
• ADUs and State law: state ADU rules limit discretionary review in many cases; local ADU rules interact with County design standards — check state ADU law. California ADU law
• Construction-level compliance remains with the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) even after design approvals. California Building Standards Code

Checklist — what applicants must provide for a Site Plan / Design Review path (unincorporated Tulare County)

• A complete preliminary site plan if the project or subdivision is in a zone that requires site plan review (submit with tentative/preliminary map). § 7-01-1605.
• Attend the design conference (the Site Plan Review Committee will schedule within 10 days after preliminary map submission). § 7-01-1630.
• Provide required technical reports as requested at design conference (e.g., geological/hydrological report). § 7-01-1610.
• Submit tentative parcel map / tentative subdivision map materials and statements (uses, water/sewer, drainage, landscape notes) as required by code. § 7-01-1715.
• Pay County filing, review and Health Officer fees associated with report reviews and plan checking. § 7-01-1615; fee schedules in Part VII.
• If grading is involved, provide grading plans/stabilization plans where required (note F overlay triggers). § 7-15-1360 (h). Tulare County Development Standards
• For projects proposing multiple industrial/commercial buildings on one parcel: provide a site plan to the Site Plan Review Committee to qualify for the subdivision-exemption pathway. § 7-01-1455.
• If proposing changes that affect setbacks, parking, landscaping, or signage, include plans addressing those standards (County standards and cross-referenced Ordinance No. 352 requirements). Tulare County Parking Tulare County Landscaping and Screening Tulare County Signage

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

If you own property in unincorporated Tulare County and your project or subdivision lies in a zone that requires it, the County’s Site Plan Review process functions as the local design-review step: submit a complete site plan with your preliminary/tentative map, attend a design conference within 10 days, supply required technical reports, and the Site Plan Review Committee will approve, condition or deny the plan (with appeals available). Many district-specific rules (exact setbacks, permitted uses by zone) live in the County’s Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 352) and the Supplemental Zoning Map — verify those before you file.

Source References

• Tulare County Ordinance Code (Part VII) — Preliminary Site Plan & Design Conference: § 7-01-1605, § 7-01-1630 – § 7-01-1635. Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/TU4850
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Site Plan Review Committee authority and parcel‑map process: § 7-01-2315, § 7-01-2320, § 7-01-2350.
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Industrial/commercial multi-building exemption via Site Plan Review: § 7-01-1455.
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Geological/hydrological report requirements and fees: § 7-01-1610 – § 7-01-1615.
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Residential setbacks / building-line rules: § 7-19-1005, § 7-19-1190, § 7-19-1195 (front setback 25 ft where specified).
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Grading article and F Foothill overlay cross-reference to Site Plan Review: § 7-15-1360 – § 7-15-1375; see § 18.7.B.2 reference to Ordinance No. 352.
• California ADU guidance (state law summary) — 2025 ADU handbook (state limits on discretionary design review for ADUs).
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24) excerpts (construction-level review remains separate).

Retrieved passages

• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-01-1605.) High relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (Article 1) High relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (Section 7-01-1635) High relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-01-1630.) High relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-01-1455) High relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-01-1715.) High relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 66317) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) High relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-01-1615.) High relevance show source text
• CBC § N104.1 (Section N104.1) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 7 (Section 18.7.B.2) Medium relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-15-1420) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 7 (§ 7-15-1360) Medium relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (section 7-01-2025) Medium relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-01-1535) Medium relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (section 7-01-1600) Medium relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (section 7-19-1010) Medium relevance show source text
• Tulare County Zoning Code (§ 7-11-1040.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Tulare County Ordinance Code (Part VII) — Preliminary Site Plan & Design Conference: **§ 7-01-1605**, **§ 7-01-1630 – § 7-01-1635**. Downloaded from (§ 7-01-1605)
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Site Plan Review Committee authority and parcel‑map process: **§ 7-01-2315**, **§ 7-01-2320**, **§ 7-01-2350**. (§ 7-01-2315)
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Industrial/commercial multi-building exemption via Site Plan Review: **§ 7-01-1455**. (§ 7-01-1455)
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Geological/hydrological report requirements and fees: **§ 7-01-1610 – § 7-01-1615**. (§ 7-01-1610)
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Residential setbacks / building-line rules: **§ 7-19-1005**, **§ 7-19-1190**, **§ 7-19-1195** (front setback **25 ft** where specified). (§ 7-19-1005)
• Tulare County Ordinance Code — Grading article and **F** Foothill overlay cross-reference to Site Plan Review: **§ 7-15-1360 – § 7-15-1375**; see **§ 18.7.B.2** reference to Ordinance No. 352. (article and)
• California ADU guidance (state law summary) — 2025 ADU handbook (state limits on discretionary design review for ADUs).
• California Building Standards Code (Title 24) excerpts (construction-level review remains separate). (Title 24)
• TulareCounty_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md