Kern County RF zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

RF (Recreation-Forestry) 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 RF

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	35 ft Applies: Buildings; detached accessory structures excluded § 19.42.080 · code text Buildings shall not exceed three (3) stories or thirty-five (35) feet.
Maximum number of stories	3 stories Applies: Buildings; detached accessory structures excluded § 19.42.080 · code text Buildings shall not exceed three (3) stories or thirty-five (35) feet.
Minimum front setback	55 ft Applies: From the legal centerline of any existing or proposed local street or access easement § 19.42.070 · code text Fifty-five (55) feet from the legal centerline of any existing or proposed local street or access easement;
Minimum side setback	10 ft § 19.42.070 · code text There shall be a side yard on each side of any building of not less than ten (10) feet.
Minimum rear setback	5 ft § 19.42.070 · code text There shall be a rear yard of not less than five (5) feet.
Minimum lot size	5 gross acres § 19.42.050 · code text No lot created within the RF district shall contain less than five (5) gross acres, excepting in the case of the conveyance to or from a governmental agency, public entity, public utility, community water company or mutual water company for public purposes, public utility purposes, or for rights-of-way or well sites.
Maximum density	1 unit per legal lot § 19.42.060 · code text Except as specified in Section 19.42.030, there shall be no more than one (1) principal single-family dwelling per legal lot in the RF district.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RF:

Minimum front setback: 70 ft — From the legal centerline of any existing or proposed secondary highway § 19.42.070
Minimum front setback: 80 ft — From the legal centerline of any existing or proposed major highway § 19.42.070
Minimum front setback: 25 ft — In all cases, from the right-of-way established by any official or specific plan line, street or access easement § 19.42.070

Not on this page

We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR limit for RF 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Kern County's RF zone?

35 ft (buildings; detached accessory structures excluded) — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.42.080.

What is the maximum number of stories in Kern County's RF zone?

3 stories (buildings; detached accessory structures excluded) — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.42.080.

What is the minimum front setback in Kern County's RF zone?

55 ft (from the legal centerline of any existing or proposed local street or access easement) — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.42.070.

What is the minimum side setback in Kern County's RF zone?

10 ft — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.42.070.

What is the minimum rear setback in Kern County's RF zone?

5 ft — Kern County Municipal Code § 19.42.070.

General information, not legal advice.