Cannabis Regulations in Kern County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Kern County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Kern County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dispensary Zoning

Kern County bans every commercial cannabis business, medicinal and recreational alike, in all zone districts of the unincorporated county. Zoning Ordinance Section 19.08.055 blocks any local authorization for activities licensed under Business and Professions Code Section 26050, meaning no zone in unincorporated Kern hosts a dispensary, cultivation site, manufacturer, distributor, or delivery service, though personal indoor use under state law remains untouched.

Kern County Bans Commercial Cannabis Zoning

Heavy Restrictions

Kern County Zoning Ordinance § 19.08.055(A)-(C)

The purpose of this section is to ban commercial medicinal and recreational cannabis businesses and activities of all kinds... Businesses conducting commercial recreational cannabis activity licensed under the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act are prohibited in all zone districts. No local authorization for any of the activities covered by the license classifications id...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Buffer Zones

Kern County bans smoking or otherwise using cannabis products within 1,000 feet of any school, day care center, or youth center while children are present. The home carve-out only applies if the smoke is not detectable from the school, day care, or youth center grounds.

1,000-Foot Cannabis Buffer Around Kern Schools

Significant Restrictions

Kern County Code § 13.04.220 (Cannabis products within 1,000 feet of any school, day care center, or youth center while children are present)

It is unlawful for any person to light, smoke, ingest, discard, or use in any other way, any cannabis product at any time within one thousand (1,000) feet of any school, day care center, or youth center while children are present. This prohibition does not apply to grounds of a private residence and only if such smoking is not detectable by others on the grounds of any school, day care center, ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Cannabis Regulations by City in Kern County

2 cities in Kern County have their own cannabis regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

BakersfieldPop. 403,455

4 verified rules • Buffer Zones, Cannabis Delivery Rules

RidgecrestPop. 27,959

1 verified rule • Dispensary Zoning

All Kern County ordinances

See every category we cover for Kern County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Kern County Ordinance Hub →