Kern County · Zoning · M-1
Kern County M-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Kern County's M-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 75 ft (6 stories) tall, the front setback is 40 ft and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Kern County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 75 ft (Higher is allowed with 1 ft of setback from each street, alley and lot line per 3 ft above 6 stories or 75 ft)
- Maximum number of stories: 6 stories (Higher is allowed with 1 ft of setback from each street, alley and lot line per 3 ft above 6 stories or 75 ft)
- Minimum front setback: 40 ft (From the legal centerline of any existing or proposed public or private local street or access easements)
- Minimum side setback: None required
- Minimum rear setback: None required
- Minimum lot size: No minimum
M-1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL) is a zoning district in Kern County. Every value below was read from the Kern County Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in M-1
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 75 ft Applies: Higher is allowed with 1 ft of setback from each street, alley and lot line per 3 ft above 6 stories or 75 ft § 19.36.080 · code textBuildings and structures shall not exceed six (6) stories or seventy-five (75) feet, unless the building is set back from each street, alley, and lot line at least one (1) foot for each three (3) feet of height above six (6) stories or seventy-five (75) feet. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 6 stories Applies: Higher is allowed with 1 ft of setback from each street, alley and lot line per 3 ft above 6 stories or 75 ft § 19.36.080 · code textBuildings and structures shall not exceed six (6) stories or seventy-five (75) feet, unless the building is set back from each street, alley, and lot line at least one (1) foot for each three (3) feet of height above six (6) stories or seventy-five (75) feet. |
| Minimum front setback | 40 ft Applies: From the legal centerline of any existing or proposed public or private local street or access easements § 19.36.070 · code textForty (40) feet from the legal centerline of any existing or proposed public or private local street or access easements; |
| Minimum side setback | None required § 19.36.070 · code textNone required. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required § 19.36.070 · code textNone required. |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum § 19.36.050 · code textThere is no minimum lot size requirement in the M-1 district. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in M-1:
- Maximum building height: 135 ft — Absolute maximum; applies after the allowance for additional height with increased setbacks § 19.36.080
- Maximum number of stories: 10 stories — Absolute maximum; applies after the allowance for additional height with increased setbacks § 19.36.080
- Minimum front setback: 45 ft — From the legal centerline of any existing or proposed secondary highway § 19.36.070
- Minimum front setback: 55 ft — From the legal centerline of any existing or proposed major highway § 19.36.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR, density limit for M-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Kern County Municipal Code.
Other Kern County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Kern County's M-1 zone?
75 ft (higher is allowed with 1 ft of setback from each street, alley and lot line per 3 ft above 6 stories or 75 ft) — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.36.080.
What is the maximum number of stories in Kern County's M-1 zone?
6 stories (higher is allowed with 1 ft of setback from each street, alley and lot line per 3 ft above 6 stories or 75 ft) — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.36.080.
What is the minimum front setback in Kern County's M-1 zone?
40 ft (from the legal centerline of any existing or proposed public or private local street or access easements) — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Kern County's M-1 zone?
None required — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Kern County's M-1 zone?
None required — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.36.070.
General information, not legal advice.
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