Taft — Overlay Districts

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Taft’s zoning title is codified as Title VI — Planning and Zoning; overlay districts are special zone designations that sit on top of a base zoning district and add location-specific rules. The City’s ordinance currently defines two primary overlays used on the zoning map: the Airport Approach Height (H) Overlay and the Petroleum Extraction (PE) Overlay. The ordinance treats overlay rules as additive to — and in some cases more restrictive than — the base zone standards; the official zoning maps identify where each overlay applies. See the City’s zoning summary for context. § 6-1-11, § 6-3-3, § 6-3-5.

Note: This page explains only the overlay provisions written into Taft’s zoning ordinance (Title VI). For base-zone development standards and site-level rules see Taft Development Standards and the official zoning map. Links to related topics are embedded where those topics are first mentioned.

How Taft treats overlays (short primer)

• Overlays are shown on the official zoning maps and their regulations “combine” with base zones: uses and standards default to the base zone unless the overlay imposes additional rules. § 6-1-11(C); § 6-3-3(B); § 6-3-5(A).
• Projects in overlays must meet the overlay standards plus any applicable base-zone standards (setbacks, height, parking, landscaping). See Taft Development Standards for the base rules and Taft Parking for parking specifics. Verify overlay/map location with the Planning Department. § 6-1-11(C).

(First related-topic links: Taft Zoning, Taft Development Standards, Taft Parking.)

District-by-district breakdown

Airport Approach Height Overlay — H (controlling text: § 6-3-3)

Purpose, where it applies

• The H overlay implements airport safety and land-use compatibility measures for areas shown in the Taft-Kern County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (referenced as part 1, chapter 4, section 4.14). The overlay is applied to parcels on the zoning map where airport approach constraints matter. § 6-3-3(A).

Typical permitted uses

• Uses in the H overlay are the same as those allowed in the parcel’s base zone: permitted, conditional, and prohibited uses are those of the base district unless the overlay explicitly restricts them. § 6-3-3(B–D).

Key standards and decision-relevant requirements

• Height limits: The overlay requires compliance with FAA Part 77 standards where those are more restrictive than local rules; FAA regulations prevail in cases of conflict. In other respects, height follows the base zone unless FAA Part 77 applies. (Height: FAA Part 77; § 6-3-3(H)).
• Other development standards (lot size, setbacks, parking, signs, landscaping) default to the base district requirements unless the overlay states otherwise. § 6-3-3(E–L).

Practical guidance

• If your parcel carries the H overlay, plan for an early compatibility review tied to the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan; for building height questions check FAA Part 77 inputs and notify the Planning Department. Design and permit reviewers will look at sight lines and obstacle clearances in addition to your base-zone requirements. See Taft Design Review for process expectations. § 6-3-3(A, H).

(First natural mention links used above: Taft Design Review; FAA/airport plan is referenced by code.)

Petroleum Extraction Overlay — PE (controlling text: § 6-3-5)

Purpose, where it applies

• The PE overlay designates lands with productive or potentially productive petroleum resources and sets rules to allow oil/gas operations while protecting surrounding development. The overlay may be applied only to parcels zoned Residential Suburban (RS) or General Commercial (GC) (i.e., the overlay is limited to certain base zones). § 6-3-5(A).

Typical permitted uses (most decision-relevant)

• Oil and gas production wells and related operations are expressly addressed:
  • Permitted without CUP when wells are located more than 300 ft away from any existing dwelling or commercial building (excluding pure storage structures). § 6-3-5(B)(1).
  • Deepening/redrilling within an existing bore and certain replacement wells are permitted under the conditions listed in § 6-3-5(B)(2–3).
  • Uses requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) include wells proposed within 300 ft of an existing dwelling or commercial building — those must obtain a CUP per § 6-2-5. § 6-3-5(C)(1).

Key dimensional and operational standards

• Separation from public rights-of-way: No oil/gas well shall be drilled within 100 ft of the right-of-way of any existing or proposed public street or highway. § 6-3-5(G)(1).
• Height: No height limit on derricks and other exploration equipment during drilling; pumping units capped at 35 ft. § 6-3-5(H)(1–2).
• Minimum distance between structures for oil/gas activities references Chapter 10 (“Oil and Gas Production”) development standards. § 6-3-5(I)(1).
• Parking and surfacing: No minimum parking requirement for drilling/production activities, but parking/maneuvering areas must be treated with oiled sand or similar dust control; other uses follow base-district parking rules. See Taft Parking for base parking requirements. § 6-3-5(J).
• Signs: Directional/warning/identification signs for drilling operations may be allowed at up to 2 sq ft (public safety signs), plus base-zone signs. § 6-3-5(K)(1–2).
• Special review: Drilling and hydrocarbon development must comply with the development standards/procedures in § 6-10-5 (Oil & Gas Production standards). § 6-3-5(M).

Where PE is applied and practical considerations

• Because PE can be combined with RS or GC, residential property owners should be aware that the overlay can allow oil production near homes subject to distance rules (300 ft trigger for CUP). For RS parcels that also may host accessory dwelling units, overlay rules do not supplant ADU-specific rules — check local ADU provisions when planning modest additions. See Taft ADUs and the oil/gas development standards in Chapter 10. § 6-3-5(A).

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant overlay rules

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy when a parcel is in an overlay)

• Confirm overlay presence and exact overlay boundary on the official zoning map with Planning (zoning maps are part of Title VI). § 6-1-11(C).
• Meet base-zone use, setback, height, and lot standards as set in Taft Development Standards and the overlay-specific rules (both must be satisfied). § 6-3-3, § 6-3-5.
• For projects in the H overlay: provide required compatibility/height analysis and confirm FAA Part 77 implications; coordinate with airport ALUCP reviewers. § 6-3-3(H, A).
• For projects in the PE overlay proposing wells: verify separation distances — if ≤ 300 ft to existing dwelling/commercial, prepare a CUP application and CEQA review as required. § 6-3-5(B–C).
• For drilling/production: follow Chapter 10 standards (development standards and conditions) and required dust control/parking surfacing. § 6-3-5(M).
• Confirm signage and landscaping plans meet overlay sign rules and base landscaping requirements. § 6-3-3(K–L); § 6-3-5(K–L).
• If project involves housing-related changes on parcels with PE or H overlays (e.g., ADU), check ADU rules and whether overlay conditions affect ministerial approvals; coordinate with Planning. See Taft ADUs. Verify with the jurisdiction.

(First related-topic links used above: Taft ADUs, Taft Development Standards.)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Taft applies two primary overlays: the H overlay enforces airport safety/height compatibility and defers to FAA Part 77 where needed; the PE overlay allows oil and gas operations on certain base zones but requires conditional use review for wells within 300 ft of existing homes or commercial buildings and sets other operational limits (e.g., 100 ft from public rights-of-way, 35 ft maximum pumping unit height). Always check the official zoning map and consult Planning early — overlays modify but do not replace base-zone rules. § 6-3-3; § 6-3-5.

Source References

• Taft Title VI — Planning and Zoning (Title statement, districts list) § 6-1-11.
• Airport Approach Height (H) Overlay — ordinance text § 6-3-3 (purpose, uses, FAA/ALUCP reference).
• Petroleum Extraction (PE) Overlay — ordinance text § 6-3-5 (permitted uses, CUP triggers, setbacks, heights, parking, signs, special review).
• Mapping and zone-district rules — official zoning maps are part of Title VI § 6-1-11(C).
• Cross-reference to drilling/hydrocarbon development procedures — § 6-10-5 (referenced from PE/DI).

Retrieved passages

• Taft Zoning Code (section 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section establish) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section 65580) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (chapter 3.0) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section 6-12-5) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section 6-1-19) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section 6-10-5) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (CHAPTER 6) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section 6-1-9) High relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (chapter 4) High relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section 6-11-28) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (chapter 10) Medium relevance show source text
• Taft Zoning Code (section 6-1-9) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Taft Title VI — Planning and Zoning (Title statement, districts list) **§ 6-1-11**. (Title VI)
• **Airport Approach Height (H) Overlay** — ordinance text **§ 6-3-3** (purpose, uses, FAA/ALUCP reference). (§ 6-3-3)
• **Petroleum Extraction (PE) Overlay** — ordinance text **§ 6-3-5** (permitted uses, CUP triggers, setbacks, heights, parking, signs, special review). (§ 6-3-5)
• Mapping and zone-district rules — official zoning maps are part of Title VI **§ 6-1-11(C)**. (Title VI)
• Cross-reference to drilling/hydrocarbon development procedures — **§ 6-10-5** (referenced from PE/DI). (§ 6-10-5)
• Taft_ZoningCode.md

• Official Taft code library