Tulare County · census-designated place

Sultana

Sultana is a census-designated place in unincorporated Tulare County, in the San Joaquin Valley. 0.38 sq mi of land. Zoning is set by the county, not a city government. Screen any APN in or near Sultana for zoning, FEMA flood, CAL FIRE / WUI wildfire hazard, soils, geology, and planning — every finding linked to the official source — then verify with Tulare County planning before you buy or entitle.

Updated 2026-08-29

Useful sources for searching Sultana: Official sources to verify buildability in Sultana ↓

About Sultana land diligence

Sultana is a census-designated place in unincorporated Tulare County, in the San Joaquin Valley. 0.38 sq mi of land. Zoning is set by the county, not a city government.

Sultana is a census-designated place in unincorporated Tulare County—confirm zoning with the county. Most deals need both a fast multi-layer screen and a follow-up with local planners—especially where city limits, specific plans, hillside fire standards, or floodplain rules apply.

Search intents this page answers: zoning in Sultana, FEMA flood near Sultana, CAL FIRE hazard severity, APN lookup, and whether a vacant lot is buildable before you spend on surveys or design.

Community snapshot

Sultana is a census-designated place in unincorporated Tulare County, California.

Character: Census-designated / unincorporated community in San Joaquin Valley.

Land area: roughly 0.376 square miles.

Climate: Central Valley — hot dry summers.

Growth outlook: Population and housing capacity for Sultana should be confirmed with Census ACS and Tulare County planning for unincorporated land; do not rely on outdated marketing copy.

Jurisdiction check: confirm whether the APN is inside Sultana limits or unincorporated Tulare County before relying on city zoning maps alone.

Housing & land patterns

Median home

$338k

Median income

$47k

Ownership

36%

Median year built

1963

vs California

-56%

Terrain

Valley farmland · Historic lake bed · Sierra foothill citrus

Sultana is a census-designated / unincorporated community in San Joaquin Valley with housing values well below the California ACS median, household incomes below the state average, a renter-leaning housing mix, and housing stock primarily built during the mid- to late-20th century.

Housing market

Median home value

$338k

$337,500

Much lower than CA

Median rent

$850/mo

Median household income

$47k

$47,083

Much lower than CA

Vacancy rate

8.8%

California$760k
Sultana$338k

-56% vs California ACS median

Housing characteristics
Owner-occupied36%
Renter-occupied64%
1963
19202025

Typical home age signal — not a forecast of new construction.

Affordability & housing mix

Home value ÷ income

7.2×

ACS proxy — median home value divided by median household income

Rent ÷ income

22%

Annual median gross rent as share of median household income

Rent burden 30%+

46%

Share of renter households paying 30% or more of income on gross rent

Derived ACS ratios for market context — not a proprietary cost-of-living index or lender qualification standard.

Single-family units76%
Multifamily units7%
Mobile homes11%

Units-in-structure mix from ACS — shares of total housing units, not new construction pipeline.

Lifestyle & investment

Families

  • Income levels vary — confirm school and commute fit locally
  • Neighborhood amenities and lot hazards still decide fit
  • Confirm attendance boundaries on the specific APN

Retirees

  • Housing stock centered around 1963 — maintenance needs vary
  • Walkability and healthcare access differ street to street
  • Review HOA rules, insurance, and parcel hazards before buying

Investors

  • Balanced tenure mix can support rental demand
  • ACS median gross rent about $850/mo
  • Zoning, ADU rules, and insurance drive outcomes more than ACS averages

Builders

  • Valley: drainage and soils dominate over slope
  • Verify zoning, setbacks, and utility access early
  • Geotechnical and grading reviews are common on hillside lots
Terrain & geography

Tulare County rises from San Joaquin Valley / Tulare Lake bed flats through Sierra foothills into high Sierra peaks. Ag land is nearly level; east-county land becomes steep quickly.

Elevation Near sea level / low valley elevations to 14,000+ ft in the high Sierra

01Valley farmlandValley farmland and orchard grids
02Historic lake bedHistoric lake bed and basin lowlands
03Sierra foothill citrusSierra foothill citrus and ranch belts
04High Sierra canyonsHigh Sierra canyons and wilderness approaches
Development checklist
  • Slope and grading feasibility
  • Flood exposure and drainage
  • Wildfire / WUI hazard
  • Liquefaction and geology where mapped
  • Zoning, setbacks, and overlays
  • Utility access (water, sewer/septic, power)
  • Geotechnical conditions on hillside or fill lots

Screen slope and elevation on the APN in Parcel View, then confirm grading, driveway grades, and pad feasibility with Tulare County planning and a licensed surveyor/engineer.

Key takeaways

  • Housing prices in Sultana run below the California ACS median.
  • Terrain shifts across several landscapes — from valley farmland to high sierra canyons.
  • Parcel-specific screening for zoning, flood, wildfire, soils, and slope matters more than any countywide average.

What Parcel View checks in Sultana

Parcel & APN

Boundary and assessor parcel number context so you can confirm you are looking at the right lot inside or near Sultana.

Zoning & land use

Reference zoning and general plan overlays from public GIS—verify final district with Tulare County planning.

FEMA flood

National Flood Hazard Layer zones across the parcel, including Special Flood Hazard Areas that affect insurance and building rules around Sultana.

Wildfire hazard

CAL FIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones and WUI context for insurance and defensible-space diligence around Sultana.

Soils

USDA SSURGO map units for a first look at septic suitability, drainage, and grading constraints where mapped near Sultana.

Geology & slope

Mapped liquefaction, fault, landslide, and terrain screens where the state publishes them for Tulare County.

Verify locally

Parcel View is a first-pass public GIS screen. City or county planning makes official determinations for Sultana.

Living and buying land in Sultana

Sultana is a census-designated place in unincorporated Tulare County, California.

Character: Census-designated / unincorporated community in San Joaquin Valley.

Land area: roughly 0.376 square miles.

Climate: Central Valley — hot dry summers.

Growth outlook: Population and housing capacity for Sultana should be confirmed with Census ACS and Tulare County planning for unincorporated land; do not rely on outdated marketing copy.

Jurisdiction check: confirm whether the APN is inside Sultana limits or unincorporated Tulare County before relying on city zoning maps alone.

Wildfire, flood, and insurance diligence in Sultana

Hazard diligence is parcel-specific in Sultana, but community patterns matter for underwriting and timeline.

Wildfire: community screening level is variable — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent..

Community wildfire screening note: variable — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent.

Flood: community screening level is variable — Flood risk varies by floodplain, alluvial fan, and local drainage. Screen FEMA layers on the APN and ask about drainage history..

Community flood screening note: variable — Flood risk varies by floodplain, alluvial fan, and local drainage. Screen FEMA layers on the APN and ask about drainage history.

Seismic: California is seismically active. Review Alquist-Priolo / fault maps and local geologic hazards for the APN..

Insurance diligence often focuses on: wildfire / wui underwriting; brush clearance and defensible space documentation; flood zone determination where fema indicates risk.

FAIR Plan / insurance context: Homeowners insurance can be constrained by wildfire, brush, and sometimes flood. FAIR Plan appears more often in higher wildfire zones — verify early in diligence.

Flood insurance: Flood insurance needs are driven by FEMA zone and lender requirements — confirm on the APN.

Commute, transit, and utilities in Sultana

Commute screen: Commute times from Sultana depend on destination, highway access, and time of day. Map drive times for your destinations rather than relying on a single city average..

Walkability: Walkability is usually higher near downtown or village centers and lower on rural/edge lots. Visit the block and check sidewalks, grade, and services..

Bike network: Bike infrastructure varies by corridor. Check local bike plans and ride the actual route you would use.

Downtown / village center: Sultana is unincorporated / CDP — commercial and service centers may be nearby towns rather than a classic city downtown.

Visit the parcel at the hours you would actually commute — last-mile access varies street-by-street.

Sewer vs septic: Sewer vs septic is parcel-specific in Sultana. Confirm connection, capacity, and any septic permits with the local sanitation / environmental health desk..

Wells: Private wells appear more often on rural and edge lots. Confirm well yield, water quality, and any shared-system agreements during diligence.

Natural gas: Natural gas availability varies by street — confirm with the serving utility..

Electric/gas utility context is typically PG&E territory in this part of Tulare County — confirm the serving utility on the meter.

Sultana subareas and lot patterns

Sultana is often searched as a single community name on listings and county maps.

Even without a long published neighborhood list, lot-level zoning, hazards, utilities, and school boundaries still vary.

When comparing two lots in Sultana, weight WUI/fire, FEMA flood, septic vs sewer, slope/access, and easements carefully.

Lifestyle context for Sultana

Sultana dining and services cluster near commercial corridors and nearby centers; rural lots may be a drive from groceries and cafes.

Separate lifestyle preferences from lot-level buildability — a great street can still fail on fire insurance, flood zone, slope, or septic capacity.

Pets: Generally pet-friendly at the community level; always confirm HOA, rental, and local animal ordinances for the specific property.

How to screen a parcel in Sultana

Enter the address or APN on Screen and confirm jurisdiction (Tulare County planning (unincorporated) vs Tulare County).

Review zoning, FEMA flood, CAL FIRE / WUI, soils, geology, and slope/elevation overlays.

SB 9 screen: SB 9 applicability in unincorporated areas depends on county implementation — confirm with county planning..

HOAs: HOAs are common in planned developments and some condo/townhome tracts — request CC&Rs early if the listing mentions an association.

Short-term rentals: Short-term rental rules vary by city and county and often require permits. Verify with code enforcement / planning before assuming Airbnb/VRBO use.

General Plan focus often includes: Confirm land-use designations and Housing Element sites with Tulare County planning..

Land area
0.376 sq mi
Character
Census-designated / unincorporated community in San Joaquin Valley
Median home value (ACS)
$337,500 (about 56% below the California statewide ACS median) · ACS 2020-2024
Median gross rent (ACS)
$850/mo · ACS 2020-2024
Median household income (ACS)
$47,083 · ACS 2020-2024
Homeownership (ACS)
36% owner-occupied
Housing stock age
About 1963
Market context
Median home $337,500 (about 56% below the California statewide ACS median); vacancy about 8.8% · ACS 2020-2024 context
County elevation range
Near sea level / low valley elevations to 14,000+ ft in the high Sierra
Fire risk (community)
variable — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent.
Flood risk (community)
variable — Flood risk varies by floodplain, alluvial fan, and local drainage. Screen FEMA layers on the APN and ask about drainage history.
Sewer / septic
Public sewer vs septic varies by neighborhood and edge lots — confirm with local sanitation / environmental health.
ADU screening
California statewide ADU law is strong; confirm local ordinance standards, setbacks, and parcel hazards with planning before design.
Downtown
Walkability depends on nearby service centers; many CDP lots are auto-oriented.
Region
San Joaquin Valley

Common Sultana buyer questions

Short screening answers for searches buyers actually type. These are community-level notes — confirm on the parcel and with Tulare County planning.

Is this area expensive?

Median owner-occupied home value is about $337,500 (about 56% below the California statewide ACS median); median gross rent about $850/mo. Neighborhoods vary — confirm current listings with a local agent.

Is it a buyer's market?

Median home $337,500 (about 56% below the California statewide ACS median); vacancy about 8.8% · ACS 2020-2024 context

Is it growing?

Population and housing capacity for Sultana should be confirmed with Census ACS and Tulare County planning for unincorporated land; do not rely on outdated marketing copy.

Is it family friendly?

High household incomes (about $47,083) suggest a relatively affluent community, but school quality, commute, parks, and parcel hazards still decide family fit. Confirm attendance boundaries and screen fire/flood on the APN.

Is it good for retirees?

Housing built around 1963 means maintenance needs vary. Walkability, healthcare access, HOA rules, and insurance costs should be reviewed before purchasing.

Is it good for investors?

Tenure mix is about 36% owner-occupied. Median gross rent about $850/mo. Rental demand may help, but zoning, ADU rules, STR ordinances, and insurance ultimately determine investment potential.

Are rentals in demand?

Median gross rent is about $850/mo. Confirm vacancy, comps, and any rent-stabilization or STR rules before underwriting.

Is there new construction?

Typical stock ages to around 1963; newer tracts and Housing Element sites still need local planning maps. Check current applications with Tulare County planning for unincorporated land.

Can I build an ADU?

California statewide ADU law is strong; confirm local ordinance standards, setbacks, and parcel hazards with planning before design.

Is it wildfire prone?

Community wildfire screening note: variable — Wildfire exposure is parcel-specific across California. Screen CAL FIRE / WUI overlays on the APN and confirm insurance with a licensed agent.

Is flooding common?

Community flood screening note: variable — Flood risk varies by floodplain, alluvial fan, and local drainage. Screen FEMA layers on the APN and ask about drainage history.

Is there public sewer?

Sewer vs septic is parcel-specific in Sultana. Confirm connection, capacity, and any septic permits with the local sanitation / environmental health desk.

Are wells common?

Private wells appear more often on rural and edge lots. Confirm well yield, water quality, and any shared-system agreements during diligence.

Are HOAs common?

HOAs are common in planned developments and some condo/townhome tracts — request CC&Rs early if the listing mentions an association.

Are short-term rentals allowed?

Short-term rental rules vary by city and county and often require permits. Verify with code enforcement / planning before assuming Airbnb/VRBO use.

What is the average commute?

Commute times from Sultana depend on destination, highway access, and time of day. Map drive times for your destinations rather than relying on a single city average.

Is it walkable?

Walkability is usually higher near downtown or village centers and lower on rural/edge lots. Visit the block and check sidewalks, grade, and services.

Is it bike friendly?

Bike infrastructure varies by corridor. Check local bike plans and ride the actual route you would use.

Does it have a downtown?

Sultana is unincorporated / CDP — commercial and service centers may be nearby towns rather than a classic city downtown.

Is it pet friendly?

Generally pet-friendly at the community level; always confirm HOA, rental, and local animal ordinances for the specific property.

Screen a parcel in Sultana Tulare County guide

Profile confidence: medium · Updated 2026-08-05. Informational screening only.

Frequently asked questions about Sultana parcels

Is land in Sultana buildable?

Buildability is not a single map label. Screen zoning, flood, wildfire hazard, access, and soils for the specific APN near Sultana, then ask Tulare County planning whether your proposed use can be entitled and permitted.

How do I check zoning in Sultana?

Run a Parcel View screen for a first-pass zoning/general-plan reference, then confirm the controlling district with Tulare County planning. Overlays and specific plans can change what is allowed.

Does Sultana have FEMA flood risk?

Flood risk is parcel-specific. Parcel View intersects the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer with the lot polygon. Always verify Special Flood Hazard Areas and base flood elevations on the FEMA Map Service Center before financing or building.

How do I screen a parcel in Sultana?

Enter the address or APN in Parcel View. Sultana is a census-designated place in unincorporated Tulare County—confirm zoning with the county.

Is Parcel View a substitute for Tulare County planning?

No. It is a first-pass public GIS screen with source links. City or county planning makes official determinations.

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