Kern County Zoning, Planning & Building Codes

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Kern County regulates land use only in the unincorporated areas through the Kern County Zoning Ordinance, formally Title 19 of the Kern County Ordinance Code. Title 19 sets the base and combining zoning districts, allowed uses, development standards, and the permit procedures that implement the County’s general plan in the unincorporated areas. Start with the County’s official zoning maps and the base/combining district rules to understand what’s allowed on a given parcel, then work forward to any applicable combining districts, special plan areas, and review procedures under Title 19. See the County’s zoning framework on Kern County Zoning and the technical yardsticks on Kern County Development Standards (§ 19.02.010–.040; § 19.10.040 ).

The core map logic: every parcel in unincorporated Kern carries one base zoning district, and may carry one or more combining (overlay) districts shown in parentheses on the map (§ 19.10.010(B); § 19.10.020(B) ).

How Kern County’s code is organized

• Title 19 begins with purpose and applicability in the unincorporated area (§ 19.02.010–.040 ).
• The base and combining district framework is established in Chapter 19.10, with official zoning maps maintained by the Planning Department (§ 19.10.010; § 19.10.020; § 19.10.040 ).
• “Special Planning” districts (specific plans) live in Chapter 19.52, which rely on an adopted site development plan to set project-specific standards (§ 19.52.130–.180 ).
• Countywide development standards appear in Chapter 19.80 (streets, paving, screening, etc.), with cross-references to Kern County Parking (Chapter 19.82), Kern County Signage (Chapter 19.84), and Kern County Landscaping and Screening (Chapter 19.86) (§ 19.80.010; § 19.80.030; § 19.82.070–.090; § 19.86.050–.070 ).
• Hillside development (≥30% average natural slope) is handled in Chapter 19.88 (§ 19.88.010–.030 ).
• Permit procedures and decision-making authority are centralized in Chapter 19.102 (director, commission, and board); conditional use permits (CUPs) are in Chapter 19.104; variances and zone modifications in Chapters 19.106 and 19.110; text/rezones in Chapter 19.112 (§ 19.102.070; § 19.102.130; § 19.102.190 ).
• Nonconforming uses and structures are addressed in Chapter 19.108 (§ 19.108.050–.060 ).

Zoning district families

Base districts are grouped as follows (§ 19.10.010(A) ):

• Agricultural: A (Exclusive Agriculture), A-1 (Limited Agriculture).
• Residential: E (Estate), R-1 (Low-density Residential), R-2 (Medium-density Residential), R-3 (High-density Residential), MP (Mobilehome Park).
• Commercial: CO (Commercial Office), C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial), C-2 (General Commercial), CH (Highway Commercial).
• Industrial: M-1 (Light Industrial), M-2 (Medium Industrial), M-3 (Heavy Industrial).
• Special purpose: RF (Recreation-Forestry), OS (Open Space), NR (Natural Resource), DI (Drilling Island), FPP (Floodplain Primary), SP (Special Planning specific-plan district), PL (Platted Lands).

Combining (overlay) districts include Lot Size, PD (Precise Development), CL (Cluster), RS (Residential Suburban), RL (Rural Living), MH, WE (Wind Energy), PE (Petroleum Extraction), Geologic Hazard, FP (Floodplain), FPS (Floodplain Secondary), and H (Airport Approach Height) (§ 19.10.020(A)–(B) ). See Kern County Overlay Districts for the overlay toolkit.

Citywide development standards

Kern’s ordinance uses a mix of in-district standards and “global” standards in Chapter 19.80. Where a district is silent, Chapter 19.80 and related chapters often control.

• Front setbacks in many districts are measured from the street centerline. Examples:

  • R-3: front setbacks are 45/60/70 ft from centerlines of local/secondary/major highways, with a minimum of 15 ft from right-of-way (§ 19.22.070(A) ).
  • C-2: front setbacks are 40/45/55 ft; no side yard; rear 20 ft unless an alley exists (§ 19.32.070 ).
  • M-1: front setbacks are 40/45/55 ft; side/rear yards not required (§ 19.36.070 ).
  • A-1: front setbacks are 55/70/80 ft; min 25 ft from right-of-way (§ 19.14.070 ).
  • County-wide corridors: within the San Joaquin Valley portion, keep 45/55 ft minimum setbacks from designated midsection/section lines reserved for future arterials/collectors (§ 19.08.405 ).

• Height limits are district-specific. Examples:

  • A-1 residential buildings: max 35 ft (§ 19.14.080(A) ).
  • CO/C-1: max 45 ft (four stories) for buildings (§ 19.28.080; § 19.30.080 ).
  • M-1/M-2: up to 75–100 ft by right with stepbacks; absolute cap 135 ft (§ 19.36.080; § 19.38.080 ).
  • Many areas are subject to additional military airspace height limits (§ 19.08.160 referenced throughout, e.g., § 19.36.080(C), § 19.28.080(D) ).

• Lot size examples:

  • A-1: minimum 2.5 acres (§ 19.14.050 ).
  • R-3: minimum 6,000 sq ft net lot area, with 1,500 sq ft per dwelling unit minimum (§ 19.22.050–.060 ).
  • C-1/C-2: minimum 7,500 sq ft for new lots (§ 19.30.050; § 19.32.050 ).
  • NR: minimum 5 acres (§ 19.46.050 ).

• Parking is standardized in Chapter 19.82:

  • Typical stalls are 9'×20'; parallel 9'×22'; compact 8'×16' (§ 19.82.030 ).
  • Parking may be off-site within 500 ft for nonresidential uses with a recorded covenant; joint-use reductions up to 20% may be approved for mixed occupancies (§ 19.82.070–.080 ).
  • Design and surfacing standards are detailed in § 19.82.090 (e.g., paving types and maintenance) (§ 19.82.090 ).

• Chapter 19.80 “Special Development Standards” applies to multifamily and most commercial/industrial projects, and to some uses in A and NR:

  • Common frontage dedications: 30/45/55 ft from centerlines of local/collector/arterial; Type A/B street improvement triggers; on-site paving, undergrounding, drainage, trash enclosures, and light shielding (§ 19.80.030(A)–(K) ).
  • A project-level plot plan is typically required before building permits for uses subject to Chapter 19.80, with listed submittal contents (§ 19.80.040–.050 ).

• Landscaping and screening: minimum 5% site landscaping for commercial and industrial projects, irrigation, and Indian Wells Valley water-efficient species lists; cross-references the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and County Building Regulations (Title 17) (§ 19.86.050–.070; § 19.80.015(B)–(C) ).

Specific plans & overlays

• Special Planning (SP) districts (Chapter 19.52) are adopted specific plans that set development standards via an SP site development plan; minor plan modifications are processed per § 19.52.180 (§ 19.52.130–.180 ).
• Cluster (CL) combining district (Chapter 19.58) can adjust lot patterns and yield a limited density bonus (up to +10% overall density per the general plan designation) when a cluster plan is approved (§ 19.58.060; § 19.58.070 ).
• Floodplain Secondary (FPS) combining adds setback/prohibition rules in mapped secondary floodplains; yard, lot, height otherwise follow the base district (§ 19.72.070–.080 ).
• Kern River Corridor (KRC) overlay imposes a minimum 90 ft setback from the designated floodway and caps heights to 35 ft within 200 ft of the floodway; a Corridor Development Permit is generally required (§ 19.73.060–.070; § 19.73.100 ).
• Airport Approach Height (H) combining handles aviation compatibility; certain uses/buildings over two stories in Zone B-1/B-2 may require a CUP (§ 19.76.010; § 19.76.030 ).
• Oil & gas areas (Chapter 19.98) use tier maps. For example, in Tier 4 (includes many urbanized zones like R-1, C-2), oil/gas activities need a CUP; in Tiers 1–3 many activities are processed ministerially via conformity/minor activity review (§ 19.98.030; § 19.98.040 ).

Building permits & review

• Confirm zoning on the official maps (§ 19.10.040 ). Check base and combining districts and whether any SP overlay applies (§ 19.10.050; § 19.52.130–.180 ).
• For most multifamily, commercial, and industrial projects, submit a plot plan under Chapter 19.80 before building permits (§ 19.80.040–.050 ).
• Discretionary review (what many people call “design review”) occurs as:
  • Precise Development plans, CUPs, and variances reviewed by the Planning Director, Planning Commission, or Board depending on the filing; permit types and hearing/appeal procedures are in Chapter 19.102. No permits issue until appeal periods expire (§ 19.102.070; § 19.102.130; § 19.102.180 ). See Kern County Design Review.
  • Changes to standards may require a variance (Chapter 19.106) or a zone modification (Chapter 19.110), as directed in the procedural chapters cited above (§ 19.102.070; § 19.102.130 ). See Kern County Variances and Exceptions.
• Building permits themselves are issued under the Kern County Code of Building Regulations (Title 17), which incorporates the California Building Standards Code; Title 19 repeatedly cross-references Title 17 for landscape/irrigation plans and related construction standards (§ 19.80.015(B)–(C); § 19.86.070(A) ).

State housing law in Kern County

• Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): Kern implements ADUs in Chapter 19.90. An ADU requires plot plan review by the Planning Director before building permits, with submittals including site and parking details; additional elevations/photos may be required near historic resources (§ 19.90.040–.050 ). State ADU rules preempt certain local limits (minimum 800 sq ft and 4-ft side/rear setbacks regardless of local lot coverage/FAR in many cases); see California ADU law for the current state requirements (state guidance summary ).
• Density bonus: Chapter 19.92 provides local density bonus paths and references Government Code § 65915; a density bonus permit is required and has specified application contents (§ 19.92.030–.040; state cross-reference in chapter text ).
• SB 9 lot splits/duplex: Not found in retrieved materials in Title 19. Verify with the jurisdiction for any adopted local SB 9 implementing procedures.
• Rent control/just cause: Not found in retrieved materials in Title 19. Verify with the jurisdiction. You can review broader state frameworks on California housing laws.

Quick reference: examples by district

• The R-3 district typically uses 45/60/70 ft centerline-based front setbacks with at least 15 ft from right-of-way (§ 19.22.070(A) ).
• The C-2 district’s standards include 40/45/55 ft front setbacks, no side yards, 20 ft rears unless alley, and heights up to 75–135 ft with conditions (§ 19.32.070–.080 ).
• The M-1 district uses 40/45/55 ft front setbacks; no side/rear yards; height up to 75–135 ft (§ 19.36.070–.080 ).
• The A-1 district uses 55/70/80 ft front setbacks, and 35 ft max height for dwellings (§ 19.14.070–.080 ).

Information Gaps

• SB 9 local procedures and any rent stabilization rules were not located in the retrieved Title 19 materials. Verify with Kern County Planning/County Counsel for current local enactments (Not found in retrieved materials).

Source References

• Title 19 purpose/applicability: § 19.02.010–.040
• Base/combining districts and zoning maps: § 19.10.010; § 19.10.020; § 19.10.040–.050
• Representative district standards: § 19.14.050–.080; § 19.22.050–.070; § 19.28.070–.080; § 19.30.050–.080; § 19.32.050–.080; § 19.36.070–.080; § 19.38.070–.080; § 19.46.050–.080
• Development standards and plot plans: § 19.80.010; § 19.80.030; § 19.80.040–.050
• Parking standards: § 19.82.030; § 19.82.070–.090
• Landscaping: § 19.86.050–.070; single-family landscape cross-reference: § 19.80.015(B)–(C)
• Hillsides: § 19.88.010–.030
• Specific plans (SP): § 19.52.130–.180; Cluster (CL): § 19.58.060–.070
• Floodplain FPS: § 19.72.070–.080; Kern River Corridor (KRC): § 19.73.060–.070; .100
• Airport H: § 19.76.010; § 19.76.030
• Oil & gas tiers and processing: § 19.98.030; § 19.98.040
• Procedures and appeals; permit issuance hold: § 19.102.070; § 19.102.130; § 19.102.180
• ADUs: § 19.90.040–.050; state ADU guidance summary (for state preemption context)
• Nonconforming provisions: § 19.108.050–.060