Skip to content

Kern County · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Kern County

Kern County's own rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text for every value.

Ask about grading and erosion control in Kern County See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the Kern County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Kern County's code says

Kern County code What Kern County's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Site digs under 2 feet deep, or no cut slope over 5 feet and steeper than 1 1/2 to 1.
    Applies: No grading permit needed; work that changes or blocks a natural drainage course still needs one.
    § 17.28.040 · code text
    Does not create a cut slope greater than five (5) feet in height and is steeper than one and one-half (1 ½) units horizontal to one (1) unit vertical;
  • Fill up to 50 cubic yards, under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet without structures.
    Applies: Per site; no grading permit needed; work that changes or blocks a natural drainage course still needs one.
    § 17.28.040 · code text
    Less than one (1) foot in depth and placed on natural terrain with a slope flatter than five (5) units horizontal to one (1) unit vertical;
  • Digs for permitted basements and footings, and for wells, tunnels or utilities.
    Applies: Not exempt: fill made from the dig, or a dig left with over 5 feet unsupported height; drainage-course changes still need a permit.
    § 17.28.040 · code text
    An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Kern County?

Kern County's code: Site digs under 2 feet deep, or no cut slope over 5 feet and steeper than 1 1/2 to 1. (No grading permit needed; work that changes or blocks a natural drainage course still needs one.) (§ 17.28.040); Fill up to 50 cubic yards, under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet without structures. (Per site; no grading permit needed; work that changes or blocks a natural drainage course still needs one.) (§ 17.28.040).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Kern County property

Ask GoCodebook how Kern County's grading and erosion control rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Kern County

All building on your lot rules in Kern County

Fences and walls in Kern County

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Kern County

Running a business from home in Kern County

Solar panels and EV chargers in Kern County

Building on a hillside in Kern County

Outdoor lighting in Kern County

Signs on homes in Kern County

Trash and recycling carts in Kern County

Kern County Municipal Code — full text