County
Tulare County
This is the county layer. It is often the first stop for assessor, tax collector, recorder, court, social service, election, health, sheriff, and unincorporated-area services.
Starting point
Start with the county layer.
County offices are the usual first stop for records, taxes, courts, elections, public health, social services, sheriff services, and unincorporated-area routing.
Cities inside the county can still control city permits, local code, utilities, business licenses, and city-specific rules.
2025 population
485,146
Land area
4,823.9 sq mi
Water area
14.387 sq mi
Directory notes
Local layers to keep on the same page.
Property, taxes, and records
For assessed value, exemptions, ownership records, recording, and tax bills, county offices are usually the starting layer.
Unincorporated land
If an address is outside city limits, county planning, building, environmental health, fire, or public works may handle local permits and code work.
Courts, services, and alerts
Superior court, sheriff, elections, social services, emergency alerts, and health offices often start at the county level.
Practical notes
Office, map, permit, and paperwork notes for Tulare County
Place note · Cars and driving · Reviewed July 6, 2026
Visalia transit has fixed routes, Connect, and Dial-A-Ride
Visalia Transit works best when riders sort the trip by service type: fixed routes, on-demand Visalia Connect, or Dial-A-Ride.
Place note · Rules and licenses · Reviewed July 5, 2026
Porterville utility service starts with the address and the form
Porterville utility billing covers water, sewer, and refuse, with start and stop service handled through City Hall and collection zones tied to local pickup schedules.
Place note · Home and property · Reviewed July 5, 2026
Tulare utility questions run through City Hall and Public Works
Tulare utility service connects City Hall billing with Public Works divisions for water, sewer, solid waste, street sweeping, and wastewater.
Place note · Home and property · Reviewed July 4, 2026
Porterville building questions start with the Building Division
Porterville's Building Division handles plan checking, permits, and inspections for new construction, additions, and remodels inside the city.
Place note · Rules and licenses · Reviewed July 4, 2026
Tulare business tax certificates can trigger inspections
Tulare calls its business license a Business Tax Certificate, and new commercial businesses may need Building and Fire inspection steps before opening.
Place note · Home and property · Reviewed July 4, 2026
Tulare citizen requests work best with a city-limit check
Tulare's citizen request form is for concerns inside city limits and asks for the date, time, location, issue type, and a specific description.
Almanac notes
Stories and local context near Tulare County
Place note · Outdoors
Zumwalt Park gives downtown Tulare a fresh gathering lawn
Zumwalt Park reopened in downtown Tulare with an amphitheater, splash pad, play areas, restrooms, a gazebo, and green space for community events.
Place note · History and culture
Zalud House gives Porterville a family time capsule
Porterville's Zalud House Museum preserves an 1891 family home, original belongings, a rose garden, and a quieter look at the city's pioneer-era story.
Place note · History and culture
Farmersville keeps its small-town year tied to parades and roots
Farmersville sits between Visalia and the Sierra road, with a tight local identity built around farmland, a Memorial Day parade, and a fall festival.
Place note · History and culture
Lindsay's citrus story started with early orange trees
Lindsay's orange, olive, rail, and farming history make the Tulare County city easier to picture beyond Highway 65.
Place note · History and culture
Mooney Grove lets Visalia tell the valley farm story up close
The Tulare County Museum inside Mooney Grove Park gives Visalia a close-up way to understand county history, farm labor, agriculture, and older valley buildings.
Place note · History and culture
Woodlake Botanical Garden turns valley agriculture into a walk
Woodlake Botanical Garden grew from local volunteer work into a 13-acre garden showing California fruits, vegetables, flowers, birds, blooms, and butterflies.
Place note · History and culture
Allensworth was built around a rare Black town dream
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park preserves the story of a Tulare County town planned, financed, and governed by African Americans in the early 1900s.
Place note · History and culture
Dinuba's walking tour starts with buildings people chose to keep
Dinuba's Historic Preservation Commission points visitors toward a walking tour, the Nichols House, and the Alta District Historical Society museum at the old depot.