Local zoning · Kern County

Kern County — Historic Preservation

Historic Preservation under the Kern County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Quick answer

In unincorporated Kern County, ADUs in a County‑designated architecturally and historically significant historic district require plot plan review and are exempt from ADU parking (§ 19.90.040; § 19.90.H.2). If an ADU site is within 500 ft of a California Register–listed structure or inside such a district, extra elevations/photos are required and the Planning Director may require architectural similarity to avoid adverse impacts (§ 19.90.050.H; § 19.90.J). The zoning code lists no separate historic overlay (§ 19.10.020).

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026 · AI-generated analysis · General information, not legal advice · details

Compiled from Kern County's adopted code with AI research tools and grounded in the sources cited below. Verify with Kern County planning staff before relying on it.

Overview

In unincorporated Kern County, the zoning ordinance is Title 19 — Zoning. It does not establish a stand‑alone historic preservation chapter or a named “historic overlay” in the combining districts list found in § 19.10.020 (in the reviewed copy). Instead, historic-resource protections appear where they intersect with specific permit types—most notably Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—and a few districts that touch archaeological/historic study in limited ways. All standards on this page apply only in the unincorporated areas; incorporated cities within Kern County have separate codes.

In unincorporated Kern County, “historic preservation” controls primarily surface through ADU-specific triggers: if an ADU is in a County‑designated architecturally and historically significant historic district—or within 500 feet of a California Register resource—extra submittals and potential architectural‑compatibility requirements apply under § 19.90; ADU parking minimums do not apply inside such districts (§ 19.90.H, § 19.90.J, § 19.90.050.H).

Where historic-resource rules show up in Title 19

ADUs in or near designated historic resources
- Extra submittals are required with an ADU plot plan if the site is within a Kern County–designated architecturally and historically significant historic district or within 500 feet of a structure listed in the California Register of Historic Places (§ 19.90.050.H).
- ADUs located within a County‑designated historic district are exempt from ADU parking standards (§ 19.90.H.2).
- Outside of a historic district, ADUs need not match the primary home architecturally; inside such districts, architectural similarity may be required, and the Planning Director may require similarity where needed to avoid adverse impacts to California Register–listed properties (§ 19.90.J).
- All ADUs require a plot plan review before any building permit may issue (§ 19.90.040).
Open Space (OS) district and historic study
- The OS district allows “scientific study sites for the systematic exploration and classification of archaeological, anthropological, or historic artifacts or remains” with a Conditional Use Permit (§ 19.44.030.E). This is not a building preservation tool, but it is a land-use allowance related to historic/archaeological resources.
Combining districts overview
- The list of combining districts in § 19.10.020 includes items like PD, CL, WE, FP, and the H Airport Approach Height district, but no “historic” combining district appears in the reviewed list (§ 19.10.020). If a separate historic overlay exists, it was not present in the source materials; verify with the jurisdiction.

For context on how these pieces relate to overall zoning and submittal mechanics, see the County’s zoning, development standards, and the general zoning & planning overview.

District-by-district breakdown (where the code touches historic resources)

County‑designated “Architecturally and Historically Significant Historic District” (as referenced in § 19.90)

Purpose: Referenced in the ADU chapter to trigger additional submittals, potential architectural similarity, and ADU parking exemptions (§ 19.90.H, § 19.90.J, § 19.90.050.H).
Typical permitted uses: Not specified in Title 19; base‑zone uses apply. Not found in source materials.
Key dimensional standards: Not specified; base‑zone standards apply. Not found in source materials.
Where it applies: Boundaries, designation criteria, and map not found in source materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Any base zoning district within 500 feet of a California Register resource (ADUs only)

Purpose: ADU submittals must include elevations and photographs for visual/compatibility review (§ 19.90.050.H).
Typical permitted uses: Base‑zone uses apply; this is a proximity trigger for ADU plot plan contents only.
Key dimensional standards: No change to base standards identified for non‑ADU projects. Not found in source materials.
Where it applies: Parcels within 500 feet of a California Register–listed structure, as determined during ADU plot plan review (§ 19.90.050.H).

Open Space (OS)

Purpose: Preserve unimproved lands for scenic, habitat, resource, or passive recreation values (§ 19.44.010).
Historic‑related allowance: “Scientific study sites” for archaeological/anthropological/historic artifacts permitted with a CUP (§ 19.44.030.E).
Dimensional/where it applies: As mapped and applied per OS; see overlay districts and base zoning for development details.

Key standards at a glance

Trigger or Standard	What changes	Applies where	Code Reference
ADU plot plan—historic triggers	Submit elevations and site photos; allows the County to assess architectural fit/visual impacts	ADU sites inside a County‑designated historic district or within 500 ft of a California Register resource	§ 19.90.050.H
ADU parking in historic districts	No ADU parking required	Inside a County‑designated architecturally and historically significant historic district	§ 19.90.H.2
ADU architectural similarity	Similarity to the primary home is not required unless inside a historic district or where needed to avoid adverse impacts on a California Register resource	Inside a County‑designated historic district, or when the Planning Director so requires to protect Register resources	§ 19.90.J
ADU plot plan—baseline	Plot plan approval must precede building permit issuance	All ADUs countywide	§ 19.90.040
Archaeological/historic study sites (CUP)	CUP may allow study sites for archaeological/anthropological/historic artifacts	In the OS district	§ 19.44.030.E
Combining districts list	No “historic” combining district appears in the reviewed list	Countywide (as listed)	§ 19.10.020

Approvals and review touchpoints

ADU plot plan review. Every ADU requires plot plan approval; if the site is in a County‑designated historic district or within 500 feet of a California Register resource, include elevations and site photos (§ 19.90.040, § 19.90.050.H). See also Countywide design review practices where applicable to other project types.
Base‑zone compliance. Apart from the ADU‑specific historic triggers, projects in unincorporated areas must meet their base district’s uses and development standards; see zoning and development standards.
Plot plan review for permitted uses. Many permitted developments require a plot plan under Chapter 19.80; contents and process are defined in §§ 19.80.040–19.80.070 (and processed per §§ 19.102.040–19.102.060).
Determinations, exceptions, and appeals. If a preservation‑minded use is not expressly listed, the Planning Director may issue a “similar use” determination if criteria are met (§ 19.08.080) or authorize filing a CUP as an alternative (§ 19.08.085). Relief from strict standards, where allowed, proceeds via variances and exceptions per Chapter 19.106 (e.g., § 19.106.040 bases for approval).
What’s not here. Title 19 does not set building-code alternatives for historic structures; those live under the California Building Standards Code. Likewise, state‑level ADU rights and limits are governed by California ADU law and cross‑referenced in § 19.90.

Checklist

Confirm your site is in the unincorporated county (not an incorporated city).
Ask Planning if your parcel lies within a County‑designated architecturally and historically significant historic district. Not found in source materials—verify boundaries and criteria.
For ADUs: prepare a plot plan application; if within a County‑designated historic district or within 500 feet of a California Register resource, include elevations and site photos (§ 19.90.040, § 19.90.050.H).
For ADUs in a historic district: do not count on parking; it’s exempt (§ 19.90.H.2).
For ADUs: confirm whether architectural similarity will be required in a historic district or when needed to avoid adverse impacts to California Register resources (§ 19.90.J).
Ensure conformance with your base zone’s uses and dimensional limits; see zoning and development standards.
If proposing archaeological/historic “study sites,” confirm whether your land is zoned OS and plan for a CUP (§ 19.44.030.E).
If a needed use is not listed, consider a similar‑use determination (§ 19.08.080) or CUP (§ 19.08.085).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Where are County‑designated historic districts?	ADU standards change inside these districts (parking exemption; potential architectural similarity; extra submittals)	Whether your parcel is inside such a district; criteria and maps. Not found in source materials—verify with the Planning Department.
Proximity to a California Register resource	Triggers added ADU submittals within 500 ft (§ 19.90.050.H)	Whether any Register resources lie within 500 ft of your parcel; how the County measures distance.
No “historic overlay” listed in combining districts	Limits your ability to rely on a codified overlay for non‑ADU projects (§ 19.10.020)	Whether a separate overlay or Board‑adopted special plan addresses historic preservation outside § 19.90; if so, obtain the document.
Architectural “similarity” for ADUs	Could affect design, materials, and cost (§ 19.90.J)	Whether your ADU must match primary‑structure characteristics; what “similar” means in practice for your site.
OS district “study sites”	Only permits research‑oriented uses with a CUP; not a preservation‑of‑buildings tool (§ 19.44.030.E)	If your planned activity fits “scientific study site” and whether your parcel is in OS.

Plain-English Summary

Kern County’s zoning code does not lay out a comprehensive historic‑preservation overlay for unincorporated areas. Instead, historic‑resource considerations show up mainly in the ADU rules: if your ADU is in a County‑designated historic district or near a California Register resource, you’ll submit extra visuals, might have to match the primary home’s look, and you won’t need to provide ADU parking (§ 19.90.040, § 19.90.050.H, § 19.90.H, § 19.90.J). For other projects, follow your base zone; there’s no codified “historic overlay” in the reviewed combining‑districts list (§ 19.10.020).

Source References

Title 19 — Zoning: § 19.90.040 (ADU plot plan—required), § 19.90.050.H (ADU submittals in/near historic resources), § 19.90.H (ADU parking; historic‑district exemption), § 19.90.J (architectural similarity/California Register protection).
Title 19 — Zoning: § 19.44.010, § 19.44.030.E (OS district; archaeological/anthropological/historic study sites with CUP).
Title 19 — Zoning: § 19.10.020 (Combining districts list; no historic overlay shown in reviewed list).
Title 19 — Zoning: § 19.80.040–§ 19.80.070 (plot plan review—when required, contents, process) and cross‑referenced procedures in § 19.102.040–§ 19.102.060.

Sources

Source passages

Kern County Zoning Code (§ 361) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
CBC § 500 (chapter and) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (§ 71) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (title or) Medium relevance
CBC § 53 (chapter and) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (§ 53) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (§ 91) Medium relevance
CBC § 8 (SECTION 8-301) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (§ 260) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (§ 97) Medium relevance
Kern County Zoning Code (§ 54) Medium relevance
CBC § 18955 (Section 18955) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Kern County code library

Frequently asked questions

Does unincorporated Kern County have a formal Historic Preservation overlay district?

Not found in source materials. The combining districts list does not include a “historic” combining district (§ 19.10.020). Verify with the jurisdiction whether a separate overlay or special plan exists outside Title 19.

Do ADUs have special rules in historic areas of unincorporated Kern County?

Yes. ADUs in a County‑designated architecturally and historically significant historic district are exempt from ADU parking, and may be required to be architecturally similar to the primary dwelling (§ 19.90.H, § 19.90.J). All ADUs in such districts—or within 500 ft of a California Register resource—must include extra submittals with the plot plan (§ 19.90.050.H).

What do I have to submit for an ADU near a historic resource?

If your ADU is within a County‑designated historic district or within 500 feet of a California Register–listed structure, include elevations (height, roofing, exterior colors) and photographs with the plot plan (§ 19.90.050.H). Plot plan approval is required before building permits (§ 19.90.040).

Are parking spaces required for an ADU in a historic district?

No. ADUs located within a County‑designated architecturally and historically significant historic district are not subject to ADU parking standards (§ 19.90.H.2). See parking for general standards outside those exemptions.

Who decides whether my ADU must match the primary home in a historic area?

Inside a County‑designated historic district, the code can require architectural similarity; the Planning Director may also require similarity where needed to avoid adverse impacts to California Register resources (§ 19.90.J). Ask Planning early in design.

Can I set up an archaeological or historic research site on OS‑zoned land?

Possibly. The OS district allows scientific study sites for archaeological/anthropological/historic artifacts with a Conditional Use Permit (§ 19.44.030.E).

If my preservation‑oriented use isn’t listed, is there a path forward?

Maybe. The Planning Director can issue a “similar use” determination if criteria are met, or allow you to apply for a Conditional Use Permit as an alternative (§ 19.08.080; § 19.08.085).

Does any of this affect incorporated cities like Bakersfield?

No. Title 19 applies to unincorporated areas only (§ 19.02.030). Incorporated cities have their own historic‑preservation rules; check their local codes.

General information, not legal advice.

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