Bolthole Index

Tulare County, California

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Exeter, California

Inside Exeter, California, construction requires a building permit, and the city partners with the Tulare County Building Department for plan checks, permitting and inspections.12 Exeter administers its own zoning, while Tulare County agencies regulate onsite wastewater systems throughout the county, including its cities.34

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction and many alterations12
Building office
Tulare County Building Department provides Exeter plan checks, permits and inspections2
Zoning
Administered by the Exeter Planning Department inside city limits35
Septic
Tulare County Environmental Health and RMA regulate onsite systems, including in cities4
RV living
No Exeter-specific exception confirmed; ask city planning before occupancy65
Water wells
County permit required for construction, destruction or inactivation7
Owner-builder
A conditional contractor-license exemption, not a building-permit exemption89

Who to call

Building permits

Tulare County Building Department serving Exeter

Plan checks, building permits and inspections for projects inside Exeter through the city's partnership with the County

559.624.7000

5961 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Exeter Planning Department

Exeter zoning, site plan review, conditional use permits, variances, parcel maps, subdivisions and annexations

559-802-3052

[email protected]

Septic permits

Tulare County Environmental Health Division

Countywide onsite wastewater and well oversight, including work inside Tulare County cities

559-624-7400

5957 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA, 93277

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Exeter means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Exeter, California?

Yes. A building permit must be obtained before a building or structure in Exeter is constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished.1 Exeter's official guidance says a construction permit is needed for all new construction and that plumbing, electrical or mechanical additions and changes require the corresponding permit.2

Building inspections are also part of residential projects in Exeter.10 California's current statewide building standards apply to permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026.11 The exact permit scope still depends on the proposed work, so describe the whole project when contacting the building office rather than assuming a repair is exempt.1

Who issues building permits in Exeter, California?

Exeter partners with the Tulare County Building Department to provide plan checks, building permits and inspections inside the city.2 Building-permit applicants call 559.624.7000 or visit 5961 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia.2 Plans and an application must be submitted and reviewed, and required fees must be paid before the building permit is issued.2

Exeter City Hall has a separate local role: inspection cards are picked up at 137 N F St after the applicant presents the signed building permit, receipt and applicable plans.2 This arrangement does not transfer Exeter zoning decisions to the county; the Exeter Planning Department administers the city's zoning ordinance and processes city planning applications.5

Does Exeter have zoning, and what does it control?

Exeter has municipal zoning for property inside city limits, and the Exeter Planning Department administers the zoning ordinance and General Plan.35 The department processes site plan reviews, conditional use permits, variances, parcel maps, subdivisions and annexations.5

Standards depend on the parcel's district. In Exeter's R-1 districts, the ordinance lists different front, side and rear setbacks by district, so a setback from another R-1 district should not be copied onto your parcel.12 Residential structures in the R-1 districts are limited to 35 feet, while accessory structures are limited to 15 feet.13 The RA Rural Agriculture district instead limits total structural coverage to 40 percent and permits agricultural accessory structures up to 75 feet.1415 Ask the Planning Department to confirm the parcel's current zoning map designation before designing a house or accessory building.165

How do septic permits and sewer rules work inside Exeter?

Tulare County Environmental Health Division and the Resource Management Agency regulate onsite wastewater system design, installation, operation and related land-use review throughout Tulare County, including its incorporated cities.4 Most construction, installation and repair work on an onsite wastewater treatment system requires a permit, but the county's published rule does not identify every exception.17 Contact Environmental Health at 559-624-7400 for a parcel-specific determination before planning septic work.18

Public sewer changes the analysis. For subdivision lots connecting to Exeter's existing sewer system, sanitary sewer facilities must serve each lot and septic tanks or cesspools are not permitted.19 Exeter's older camp-car and trailer provision also requires fixtures in use to connect to city sewer or to a cesspool or septic tank built to the health officer's satisfaction.20

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Exeter?

California does not treat an RV as a permanent dwelling, and RV occupancy is generally limited to mobilehome parks or special occupancy parks unless a local ordinance allows otherwise.6 We could not confirm an Exeter-specific exception for living in an RV on a private lot, so ask the Exeter Planning Department before placing or occupying one.5

A tiny home must be approved under a recognized construction category, such as a code-built home, manufactured home, factory-built housing, RV or park trailer, and its location must be allowed for that classification.21 We could not confirm a complete Exeter-specific tiny-home occupancy rule or a minimum floor area for a primary dwelling; the Planning Department should confirm the district, proposed classification and use before purchase.5 Exeter's R-1 ordinance does list second residential units as a permitted special use subject to the ordinance's conditions.22

Building a home in Exeter: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Exeter Planning Department to confirm the parcel's zoning district, allowed residential use, setbacks and any site-plan or discretionary review.35
  2. Confirm sewer availability; if an onsite system is proposed, ask Tulare County Environmental Health and RMA about wastewater review before fixing the site plan.194
  3. Prepare the plans and submit the building-permit application to the Tulare County Building Department serving Exeter; the office reviews plans before issuing the building permit.2
  4. Build to the approved plans and obtain required inspections.10
  5. Pick up the inspection card at Exeter City Hall with the signed building permit, receipt and applicable plans.2
  6. Do not treat owner-builder status as a permit waiver: California's exemption concerns contractor licensing, while owner-builders must still obtain building permits and pass inspections.89

What stays with Tulare County, and what should you check before buying?

Exeter controls city zoning and planning approvals, while its building process uses the Tulare County Building Department for plan review, building permits and inspections.32 Tulare County Environmental Health and RMA retain onsite-wastewater oversight within county cities.4 The Environmental Health Division also requires a permit to construct, destroy or inactivate a water well anywhere in Tulare County, and well work must be performed by a valid C-57 contractor.7

Before buying, verify the city-limit status, current zoning district, allowed use, setbacks, sewer availability and legal access with the responsible office.161219 Countywide soil data show only 6.4 percent of soils lack severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so a parcel proposed for onsite wastewater deserves early site-specific review.23 Tulare County also averages 21.1 inches of annual precipitation and has experienced severe drought in 43.1 percent of measured years, making a verified water source a practical purchase condition.2425

Watch-outs

  • Do not send an in-city zoning question to the county planning counter: Exeter's Planning Department administers zoning inside Exeter.35
  • A county owner-builder exemption does not remove the building-permit or inspection requirements for an Exeter project.89
  • We could not confirm an Exeter-specific rule allowing private-lot RV residence or a complete city tiny-home rule; ask the Exeter Planning Department before buying or placing a unit.6215

Sources

  1. Do I need a building permit for my project? (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  2. Tulare County Building Department serving Exeter (cityofexeter.ca.gov)
  3. Planning and Development (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Exeter Planning Department (cityofexeter.ca.gov)
  6. hcd.ca.gov (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Water Wells, quoted and re-checked
  8. California Business and Professions Code Section 7044 (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Owner-Builder Responsibilities (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. City of Exeter Housing Constraints Analysis (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  11. Approved Building Standards (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Exeter Zoning Ordinance (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  13. Exeter Zoning Ordinance (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  14. Exeter Zoning Ordinance (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  15. Exeter Zoning Ordinance (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  16. Exeter Zoning Ordinance (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  17. Liquid Waste (Septic System) FAQ's, quoted and re-checked
  18. Tulare County Environmental Health Division (tularecountyeh.org)
  19. 16.36.100 - Sanitary sewers (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  20. 8.08.030 - Discharge of wastewater or sewage (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  21. Information Bulletin 2016-01: Tiny Homes (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Exeter Zoning Ordinance (Exeter), quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Exeter

Exeter’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code enforcement inside Exeter city limits.

    • The source specifically identifies the California Building Code, 2022 Edition and describes enforcement through plan check and building-permit issuance.
    • The cited passage also references Title 24 and ADA requirements.

    edition: 2022 (California Building Code)

    “The City of Exeter adopted the California Building Code, 2022 Edition, which regulates the access and adaptability of buildings to accommodate persons with disabilities.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Residential building projects inside Exeter city limits.

    • The city states its building-permit and inspection requirements are the same as for other residential projects.
    • Specific inspection stages and exemptions depend on the project and adopted code.
    “Exeter’s requirements for building permits and inspections are the same as for other residential projects and are straightforward and not burdensome.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    All property inside Exeter city limits, subject to the ordinance's stated exclusions.

    • The city planning department administers the Exeter Zoning Ordinance and General Plan.
    • The zoning ordinance states that it applies inside Exeter city limits; public streets, alleys, and railroad rights-of-way are exempt.
    “Pursuant to Government Code Section 65000 et. seq., a zoning ordinance is hereby adopted by the City of Exeter. The Zoning Ordinance, hereinafter referred to as the “Ordinance”, is a document that regulates the use of land in the city limits of Exeter.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and the Official Zoning Map inside Exeter city limits.

    • The zoning ordinance includes zoning and planning regulations and an Official Zoning Map delineating zone districts inside the city limits.
    • The city planning page provides an Exeter Zoning Map and a map of city zone districts.
    “The Zoning Map will delineate the location of zone districts inside the Exeter city limits.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-1-5, R-1-6, R-1-7.5, and R-1-10 single-family residential districts inside Exeter city limits.

    • Front-yard setbacks are 15, 20, 20, and 25 feet respectively.
    • Side-yard setbacks are 5 feet in R-1-5, R-1-6, and R-1-7.5, and 5 and 12 feet in R-1-10.
    • Rear-yard setbacks are 15, 20, 20, and 25 feet respectively.
    • A street-side corner-lot side yard is one-half of the required front-yard setback.
    • A street-facing garage or carport must be at least 20 feet from the back of sidewalk or property line, whichever is greater.
    • Architectural features may extend up to 30 inches into a required side yard; certain uncovered porches may extend up to 6 feet into a front or rear setback.

    front-yard setback: 15/20/20/25 feet by district (adjoining-lot averaging rule may apply) · side-yard setback: 5; 5; 5; 5 and 12 feet by district (corner and narrow-lot rules apply) · rear-yard setback: 15/20/20/25 feet by district (porch exception applies) · garage/carport setback: >= 20 feet (from back of sidewalk or property line, whichever is greater)

    “District Minimum Front Yard R-1-5 15 feet R-1-6 20 feet R-1-7.5 20 feet R-1-10 25 feet [...] District Minimum Side Yard R-1-5 5 feet R-1-6 5 feet R-1-7.5 5 feet R-1-10 5 and 12 feet [...] District Minimum Rear Yard R-1-5 15 feet R-1-6 20 feet R-1-7.5 20 feet R-1-10 25 feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    RA Rural Agriculture district inside Exeter city limits.

    • The maximum site area covered by structures is 40 percent.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 40 percent

    “The maximum site area covered by structures shall be forty percent.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 single-family residential districts inside Exeter city limits.

    • Residential structures may not exceed 35 feet; accessory structures may not exceed 15 feet.

    maximum residential-structure height: <= 35 feet · maximum accessory-structure height: <= 15 feet

    “The maximum height of residential structures shall be 35 feet; the maximum height of accessory structures shall be 15 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — RA Rural Agriculture district inside Exeter city limits.
      “The maximum height of residential structures shall be 35 feet; the maximum height of agricultural accessory structures shall be 75 feet.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Second residential units/accessory dwelling units in the R-1 single-family residential district inside Exeter city limits.

    • The ordinance lists second residential units as permitted consistent with Chapter 17.64 Special Uses.
    • The ordinance's definition requires complete independent living facilities and limits the second residential unit to 640 square feet.

    maximum floor area: <= 640 square feet

    “Second residential units consistent with Chapter 17.64 Special Uses.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Sanitation for camp cars and trailers, and subdivision lots, inside Exeter city limits.

    • Camp-car and trailer fixtures must connect to the city sewer system unless connected instead to a cesspool or septic tank constructed in a manner satisfactory to the health officer.
    • For subdivision improvements connecting to the existing city sewer system, no septic tanks or cesspools are permitted.
    “All such fixtures, when in use, must be connected with the city sewer system; or, in lieu thereof, they may be connected to a cesspool or septic tank constructed in a manner satisfactory to the health officer.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Subdivision lots connecting with the existing City of Exeter sewer system.

    • Sanitary sewer facilities must be installed to serve each lot when connecting with the existing city sewer system.
    • No septic tanks or cesspools are permitted for the cited subdivision-improvement context.
    • The facilities must meet grades, locations, design, and size approved by the city engineer.
    “Sanitary sewer facilities connecting with the existing city sewer system shall be installed to serve each lot and to grades, locations, design, and size approved by the city engineer. No septic tanks or cesspools shall be permitted.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Parcel maps and subdivisions inside Exeter city limits.

    • The city planning department processes parcel maps and subdivisions.
    • Subdivision applications and approvals are subject to the Exeter Municipal Code Title 16 and applicable zoning and development standards.
    “Short-term planning activities include the processing of various planning permits, including Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Parcel Maps, Subdivisions, and Annexations. In this function, the Department administers the Exeter Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan.”

Rules another office applies inside Exeter

Exeter does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, movement, improvement, removal, conversion, or demolition of a building or structure inside Exeter city limits.

    • A separate permit must be obtained from the building official before the listed work.
    • The source states the rule under the California Building Standards Code and does not list exemptions in the cited passage.
    “According to the California Building Standards Code, no building or structure may be erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted or demolished unless a separate permit for each building or structure has first been obtained from the building official.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Exeter or Tulare County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder residential construction inside Exeter city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Exeter city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor-area requirement for primary dwellings in Exeter residential districts.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Exeter city limits.
  • Septic permit — Private septic or onsite-wastewater systems inside Exeter city limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Exeter publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Tulare County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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