Kern County, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Kern County, CA, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Key Facts
- Lots under 1/4 acre
- Detached accessory buildings capped at 600 sq ft combined; no taller than the main dwelling
- 1/4 to 1/2 acre
- 1,000 sq ft combined or the dwelling's square footage, whichever is greater
- 1/2 acre to 3 acres
- 3,600 sq ft or twice the dwelling's square footage; height up to 20 ft or the dwelling's height
- 3 acres or more
- 5,000 sq ft or three times the dwelling's square footage; district height limit applies
- Placement
- Not allowed in required front, side, or rear yards; no closer to the front line than the dwelling (detached garages excepted)
Summary
In unincorporated Kern County, carports are regulated as residential accessory structures, and the combined size of all detached accessory buildings on a residential parcel is capped by lot size -- from 600 square feet on lots under 1/4 acre up to 5,000 square feet (or three times the dwelling's square footage) on lots of 3 acres or more. Carports may not occupy a required front, side, or rear yard and generally may not sit closer to the front property line than the main dwelling.
19.04.624 RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY STRUCTURES. "Residential accessory structures" means buildings and structures normally associated with dwellings, such as detached garages, carports, greenhouses, storage buildings, and swimming pools, but excluding cargo containers, barns, or other structures intended exclusively for agriculture-related uses. Residential accessory structures shall be clearly subordinate to the residential use of the property.
19.08.180 ACCESSORY BUILDINGS. The following regulations shall apply to the location of accessory buildings unless otherwise provided in this title: A. Except in the case of accessory dwelling units approved pursuant to Chapter 19.90 of this title, accessory buildings in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and E Districts located within the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area shall be subject to the requirements listed in this subsection and accessory buildings in the R-1, R-2, R-3, and E Districts located outside the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area shall be subject to the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection. Square footage and heights exceeding those specified by this section may be allowed when approved by the Planning Director following the procedure described below in Subsection 5. Except for a detached garage, all other accessory buildings shall be located no closer to the front property line than the principal dwelling. 1. On any residentially zoned parcel containing less than one-quarter (1/4) acre, detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of six hundred (600) square feet. The accessory buildings shall not exceed the height of the principal dwelling. 2. On any residentially zoned parcel containing an area between one-quarter (1/4) acre and one-half (1/2) acre, detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of one thousand (1,000) square feet, or the square footage equivalent of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater, and shall not exceed the heights of the principal dwelling. 3. On any residentially zoned parcel containing more than one-half (1/2) acre, but less than three (3) acres, detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of three thousand six hundred (3,600) square feet or twice the square footage equivalent of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater, and shall not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet or the height of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater. 4. On any residentially zoned parcel containing three (3) acres or more, detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of five thousand (5,000) square feet or three times the equivalent square footage of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater, and shall not exceed the maximum building height permitted in the applicable zoning district. ... C. No accessory buildings or structures shall be located within a required front, side, or rear yard, except as provided for in this title.
Full Breakdown
624 defines residential accessory structures to include carports, along with detached garages, greenhouses, storage buildings, and swimming pools, and requires them to be clearly subordinate to the residential use of the property. 180 sets the location and size standards: on residentially zoned parcels under 1/4 acre, detached accessory buildings are limited to a combined 600 square feet and may not exceed the height of the principal dwelling; on parcels between 1/4 and 1/2 acre, the cap is 1,000 square feet or the dwelling's square footage, whichever is greater; on parcels between 1/2 acre and 3 acres, the cap is 3,600 square feet or twice the dwelling's square footage, with height up to 20 feet or the dwelling's height; and on parcels of 3 acres or more, the cap is 5,000 square feet or three times the dwelling's square footage, up to the district height limit.
Except for a detached garage, accessory buildings may not be located closer to the front property line than the principal dwelling, and no accessory building may be placed within a required front, side, or rear yard. 180(A)(5). A hillside exception in subsection E allows one detached private garage to occupy the required front yard of a steep interior lot in the E, R-1, R-2, or R-3 districts if kept at least 5 feet from the side and front property lines and under 35 feet in height.
Violations & Fines
Accessory buildings that exceed the size or height caps require Planning Director approval through the public-hearing procedure in Section 19.08.180(A)(5). Carports built without required permits or placed in required yards are subject to Kern County code-compliance enforcement and may have to be permitted, modified, or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a carport in front of my house in unincorporated Kern County?
Does a carport count toward the accessory building size cap?
Can I exceed the size or height limits for a carport or garage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
How Kern County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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