ADU kitchenConverted garage apartmentBackyard ADU cottageConverted garage entranceGarage converted into a bright roomHome gym
Tulare County
Garage conversions across Tulare County
From Visalia and Tulare to the foothill communities around Porterville, the same state ADU law applies — what changes is which office reviews your plans.
Porterville & Lindsay — city permits, ranch homes with attached garages
Visalia & Tulare — larger subdivisions, 2- and 3-car garages
Strathmore, Springville, Terra Bella — county permits, detached garages and shops
Exeter, Woodville, Poplar — family suites and rental studios
Unincorporated communities such as Strathmore, Springville, Terra Bella, Woodville and Poplar go through the Tulare County Resource Management Agency, which offers pre-approved ADU plans (Tulare County RMA, ADU permits & pre-approved plans).
Visalia, Lindsay & other cities
Each incorporated city runs its own ADU and building permit process under the same state ADU law. We confirm the right office and checklist for your address.
Layouts
What people build
Rental-ready
Studio ADU
A self-contained studio with kitchenette and bathroom — the most common layout in a 2-car garage.
Rental or family
One-bedroom ADU
A separate bedroom, full kitchen and bath. Usually needs a 2- or 3-car garage.
Attached garages
Junior ADU (JADU)
Up to 500 sq ft inside an attached garage with an efficiency kitchen; may share the home's bathroom.
Multigenerational
Family / in-law suite
Private space for parents, adult kids or a caregiver, with its own bath and entry.
No kitchen needed
Home office
A quiet, insulated, permitted workspace with windows, power and cooling.
Simple scope
Gym or flex room
Finished, insulated space for fitness, hobbies or play — the lowest-cost conversion.
FAQ
Questions, answered
Do you work outside Porterville?
Yes — Lindsay, Strathmore, Springville, Terra Bella, Visalia, Tulare, Exeter, Woodville, Poplar and the rest of Tulare County.
Does Tulare County have pre-approved ADU plans?
Yes. The County Resource Management Agency offers pre-approved ADU floor plans at no cost for unincorporated areas, designed to simplify permitting and reduce design costs (Tulare County RMA, ADU permits & pre-approved plans).
Do I have to replace the parking I lose?
Generally no. Under state ADU law a city or county cannot require replacement parking when a garage is converted to an ADU (California HCD, ADU Handbook (PDF)).
How much does a garage conversion cost?
It depends mostly on whether you add a kitchen and bathroom. CustomHome puts basic conversions (office, bedroom) at about $25,000–$55,000 and full garage-to-ADU conversions at about $65,000–$200,000+ in California (CustomHome, garage conversion cost in California); ADU West Coast cites about $50,000–$100,000 for a typical garage ADU (ADU West Coast, garage conversion guide). A site visit gives you a real number.
What is a JADU?
A junior accessory dwelling unit is a unit of up to 500 sq ft created inside a single-family home — including an attached garage — with an efficiency kitchen. It can share a bathroom with the main house, and the owner must live on the property.
