Tulare/Farmersville-area | The sun rises over Farmersville Boulevard, a highly-utilized County-maintained roadway intersecting with State Route 137, with an average daily traffic count upwards of 2,000 vehicles. Roadways like these help transport agricultural commodities worldwide as well as provide an efficient means of transportation for thousands of workers and visitors.

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RMA staff serve communities countywide, with centralized support at our Government Plaza headquarters in Visalia, currently undergoing a remodel to enhance services and welcome the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk Recorder's Office to the building in 2026.

This month, we take a moment to recognize the steady, behind-the-scenes work that keeps Tulare County moving forward.

From the lobby remodeling at Government Plaza to the relocation of the Tulare County Assessor/Clerk Recorder’s Office, the County continues to invest in accessibility and service delivery. Soon, visitors to the Government Plaza in Visalia, where many of RMA’s services are delivered, will be able to gather additional property information to help make land-use transactions even simpler for residents and businesses. With an anticipated completion date in 2026, the project will bring the Assessor’s Office into Government Plaza, unifying key County services in one location. This will further complement the existing services already offered at the Plaza, including permit processing, code and building support, business assistance through RMA, and environmental health services provided by Tulare County Health & Human Services for wells and septic systems, as well as food processing permits. We also appreciate the community’s vigilance in light of recent fraud alerts, which serve as an important reminder of the value of diligence and public trust.

As we move through the rainy and foggy season and approach the end of the year, our Road Crews continue advancing infrastructure and development projects across the County. This includes work on the first County-led roundabout in the Tipton area, ongoing roadway maintenance, business support for enterprises of all sizes, and urban planning efforts that shape Tulare County’s long-term growth. A new community branding project is also underway to help ensure residents and visitors have clear visual signage identifying the communities they travel through across our nearly 5,000-square-mile county (the 7th largest in California).

On behalf of RMA leadership and staff, thank you for your collaboration and support. Wishing you and your families a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving.

Best regards,

Reed Schenke, PE

RMA Director

PUBLIC WORKS

ROAD CREWS, ENGINEERING, & LAND SURVEYING TEAMS

Seasonal Traffic Advisory: Tule Fog and Rain

As we move into rainy and Tule fog season, road conditions can change quickly across Tulare County.

How to Stay Safe

Drivers are encouraged to slow down, increase following distance, use headlights (never high beams) in fog, and allow extra time for travel. Wet roads and low visibility require caution to help keep everyone safe.

Who Maintains Roads?

Many residents ask who is responsible for maintaining local roads. In unincorporated areas, the RMA's Public Works teams maintain County roadways. Within the eight city jurisdictions, each city manages its own streets. State highways, including SR-99, SR-65, SR-198, and SR-63, are maintained by Caltrans. Regardless of jurisdiction, collaboration among agencies is essential.

Roadway outside of the Strathmore, Calif. area following a heavy rain in the region in mid-November.

Project Update: County's First Roundabout in Tipton

The County of Tulare is home to nearly half a million residents living throughout eight cities and more than 40 unincorporated communities. With a population of a little under 3,000, the unincorporated community of Tipton is perfectly located for businesses big and small.

Currently, the Tipton roundabout is open for traffic flow as a 4-way stop-controlled intersection.

Construction of Tulare County’s first County-engineered roundabout at Avenue 144 and Road 96 in Tipton is in its final stage.

With construction work complete and electrical components pending installation, the project remains on schedule for completion in December 2025.

This roundabout will enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and enhance farm-to-market connectivity for the region at an intersection that will support a daily average of more than 4,000 vehicles in any direction.

Join County Surveyors on a Geocaching Scavenger Hunt!

Locate and Help Preserve Tulare County’s Survey Monuments

The County Surveyor’s Office plays a vital role in shaping and protecting Tulare County’s built environment. Surveyors establish and maintain land boundaries, preserve historic survey monuments, manage subdivision and parcel mapping, review development projects, and ensure that public records accurately reflect the land on which our communities grow. Their work is technical, precise, and foundational, and they have fun doing it!

Spread across Tulare County are hundreds of survey monuments, some clearly visible, others blending into the landscape, that tell the story of how our communities were originally mapped and measured. Now, following the celebration of 2025 GIS Day earlier in the month, our County Surveyors are inviting you to help uncover and document survey monuments throughout our region!

New Art Gallery Coming to Camp Nelson/Springville Area

Pierpoint Bar & Grill Highlights Local Talent

Pierpoint Bar & Grill is launching its new Pierpoint Gallery, bringing a fresh arts and culture destination to the Mountain Communities of Camp Nelson, Pierpoint Springs and Sequoia Crest. The inaugural exhibition, "Heaven in the Sierras" by local photographer Trish Logan, opens soon with a special artist reception. Community members are invited to join in the celebration. The exhibition runs from Nov. 29, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026

Event Details

• Event Title: Pierpoint Gallery Grand Opening & Artist Reception
• Date and Time: Saturday, November 29, 2025, 1 – 5 p.m.
• Location: Pierpoint Bar & Grill + Gallery, 801 Hwy 190, Springville, CA 93265
• RSVP Kindly Requested by calling (559) 483-9110.

Questions? Please contact Pierpoint Gallery Manager Liz Anderson (liz.pierpointgallery@gmail.com)

Request For Proposals (RFP):

Community Branding and Signage Design System for Tulare County’s Highway Corridors

The Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to develop a branding and signage design system for Tulare County’s highway corridors.

On the RMA side, we have been working with TCAG on this project as part of the Sustainable Corridors Committee (SCC), which Supervisor Dennis Townsend is a part of.

The project will create a unified visual identity and a customizable sign templates that cities and the County can use along major travel routes and within communities, as desired.

Note: This effort is for design services only. Fabrication and installation will be procured separately.

RFP Release Date: October 22, 2025

Submittal Deadline: February 16, 2026, 5 p.m. PST.

Questions? Please contact TCAG Associate Planner John T. Washam (jwasham@tularecog.ca.gov)

Last Tourism Training of the Year a Success

Dozens of hospitality, business, and education partners gathered for the fall Tourism & Hospitality Training (Concierge College), hosted by the Sequoia Tourism Council and the City of Porterville/Porterville Chamber at Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville. The County of Tulare, a long-time STC member, supports this regional effort to strengthen visitor awareness and frontline knowledge. Tourism generated $626 million in spending and supported 6,300 jobs in Tulare County in 2024.

The STC publishes the Sequoia Visitor Guide yearly, as an initiative to quickly showcase visit-worthy aspects of the region. As a related effort, the RMA launched the Discover Tulare County mobile application to increase awareness of our tourism assets.

Be on the Lookout: Fraudulent Invoices Impersonating the County of Tulare

The County of Tulare Resource Management Agency (RMA) is alerting residents and businesses to ongoing scam attempts involving fraudulent invoices falsely claiming to be from the County or the Tulare County Planning Commission.


If you receive an invoice or payment request that seems unusual, verify it before taking action by contacting rma@tularecounty.ca.gov or calling (559) 624-7000.


Victims of fraud should contact the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations at (559) 636-5410.

Example of a fraudulent invoice impersonating the Tulare County Planning Commission, which was reported to the RMA in September 2025.

BUILDING & PERMIT CENTER

Permit Center Holiday Schedule: Please Plan Ahead

The subject matter experts at the RMA Permit Center are ready to help with your projects. From residential to commercial, we will be happy to help your project move forward.

The Tulare County Permit Center is here to support your winter projects. Please note our remaining 2025 holiday closures.

Permit Center Holiday Closures (November, December 2025; January 2026)

• Thursday, November 27, and Friday, 28: Thanksgiving
• Wednesday, December 24: Christmas Eve
• Thursday, December 25: Christmas Day
• New Year's Day: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Even when offices are closed, you can apply for permits, upload documents, and track project status through the Tulare County Citizen Self Service Portal, available 24/7 online.

Questions? Please call (559) 624-7000.

Business Growth Supported by Authentic Relationships

RMA Building Official Hector Ramos (left) and his team provide direct support for residential and commercial projects. Recently, he visited a citrus packinghouse in Goshen that is preparing to launch its operations after relocating from Fresno County to Tulare County.

Businesses coming to Tulare County can expect support not only from the Economic Development Office, but also from RMA’s Building Division. Each day, building inspectors are dispatched to communities throughout the county, from Dinuba in the north to Ducor and Earlimart in the south, and from Allensworth in the west to Springville and Johnsondale in the east.

Our inspectors help ensure that residential and commercial structures are built correctly, safely, and in compliance with state and local requirements, giving property owners and businesses confidence as they grow in Tulare County.

From early planning to final inspections, RMA’s Building Division is committed to supporting safe construction, business expansion, and thriving communities throughout the region.

Want to work towards something great? Consider working for the County of Tulare!

At the County of Tulare, every role makes a difference in strengthening our communities and helping to shape a brighter future. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to grow your skills, we offer opportunities that matter, supporting vital services, building infrastructure, protecting natural resources, and serving the people and businesses who call Tulare County home, as well as those who visit to make lasting memories.

Explore current openings and find your next career path by visiting our website today.

Engineer IV

Closing Date: Continuous

Media Specialist I/II

Closing Date: December 1, 2025

ReCoverCA: Homebuyer Assistance for Flood-Impacted Households (Funds Are Limited)

Residents impacted by the 2023–24 floods may qualify for up to $300,000 in homebuyer assistance through ReCoverCA, a statewide disaster-recovery program funded by the California Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD). The program is supported by a Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by the Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA).

The assistance helps eligible households relocate from flood-impacted areas into safer, more resilient housing. Funds are fully forgiven after five years, and perfect credit is not required. Tulare County is among the federally designated disaster areas eligible to apply.

Funds are limited, and applications opened on November 10, 2025.

Learn more & check eligibility:

https://www.gsfahome.org/programs/dpa/ReCoverCA.shtml

Questions? Please call the Program Hotline: (855) 740-8422.

Latest RMA Data Packet Now Available

RMA Data is now available in a single data packet including information regarding:

• Project Status Updates
• Public Works Field Operations
• Monthly Planning Report
• Building and Housing Report

Follow Us On Social Media

Several RMA initiatives also have an online presence. Search for the following accounts to keep up to date with the latest at our agency.

• Tulare County RMA: Facebook • Instagram
• Economic Development Office (Grow Tulare County): Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn
• Tourism News: (Discover Tulare County): Facebook • Instagram

Have a Story in Mind?

Send over your story idea, and it may just make it into a future edition of this publication! To learn more, please contact the County of Tulare's Economic Development Office (EDO) by emailing (economicdevelopment@tularecounty.ca.gov). The EDO is a division of the RMA, maintaining the agency's media and communications efforts, including public information outreach.

RMA Contact Information and Quick Links

Government Plaza (RMA Headquarters)

5961 S. Mooney Boulevard, Visalia, CA 93277

Phone: (559) 624-7000 • FAX: (559) 615-3002

Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Email: rma@tularecounty.ca.gov

Building Permit Center Hours:

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Porterville Permit Center

 346 N. Porter Road, Porterville, CA

Phone: 559-782-6800 • 559-782-6801

Building Zone Information

Phone: (559) 624-7105

E-mail: Zone-Information@tularecounty.ca.gov

Public Information Requests

Email: rma@tularecounty.ca.gov

Business Support Requests, including Tourism and the Tulare County Film Commission

Phone: (559) 624-7177

Email:economicdevelopment@tularecounty.ca.gov