Environmental Rules in Kern County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Kern County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Unincorporated Kern County bans dumping anything but rain into the county's storm drains. Kern County Code § 14.26.250 makes it unlawful to introduce sanitary wastewater, litter, garbage, petroleum products, pesticides or hazardous materials into any stormwater system, and § 14.26.260 separately bans draining swimming pools or spas into it. The chief engineer, the director of the engineering and survey services department, enforces both.
Kern County Stormwater Discharge Rules
Significant RestrictionsKern County Code of Ordinances § 14.26.250
It is unlawful for any person to throw, dump, empty or in any way cause sanitary wastewater, rubbish, refuse, litter, accidental spill discharges, garbage of any kind whatsoever, or any unsanitary or deleterious matter including, but not limited to, petroleum products, pesticides, herbicides, controlled substances, hazardous materials, or any substance other than stormwater to be introduced int...
Erosion Control
Unincorporated Kern County requires a grading permit before any excavation or fill under Section 17.28.040 of the Grading Code, and Section 17.28.140 then makes erosion control mandatory on every permitted site: protected slopes, check dams or riprap where needed, daily temporary drainage and dust control, and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan with best management practices from the county's Development Standards.
Grading and Erosion Control Rules in Kern County
Some RestrictionsKern County Ordinance Code §§ 17.28.040, 17.28.140
17.28.040 - Permits required. A.General. Except as specified in Section 17.28.040(B) (exempted work), no person shall do any grading or cause the same to be done without first having obtained a grading permit from the building official. Exemption from the permit requirements of this chapter shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any grading which modifies or obstructs a natural drainage...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Kern County requires a development permit before any construction, grading, or land alteration in a mapped special flood hazard area. The Public Works Director, acting as floodplain administrator, reviews plans, elevation data, and flood-proofing measures before work can begin, and building without one is a misdemeanor.
Floodplain Development Permit in Kern County
Significant RestrictionsKern County Code of Ordinances § 17.48.140 (Establishment of development permit)
A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazards, areas of flood-related erosion hazards, or areas of mudslide (i.e., mudflow) established in Section 17.48.080. Application for a development permit shall be made on forms furnished by the floodplain administrator and may include, but not be limited to: plans in du...
Boat Dock Permits
A private boat dock's permit requirement in unincorporated Kern County turns on the parcel's zoning district. Zoning Ordinance Section 19.42.020 lists 'Boat dock, private' as a use permitted by right in the Recreation-Forestry (RF) district, while Section 19.46.030 requires the same use to secure a conditional use permit in the Natural Resource (NR) district before construction begins.
Private Boat Dock Permits in Unincorporated Kern County
Some RestrictionsKern County Zoning Ordinance § 19.46.030 (Natural Resource (NR) District, Uses Permitted with a Conditional Use Permit)
The following uses and all others determined to be similar to these uses pursuant to Sections 19.08.030 through 19.08.080 of this title are permitted in the NR district subject to securing a conditional use permit in accordance with the standards and procedures set out in Chapter 19.104 of this title: ... C.Recreation, Entertainment, and Tourist Facilities.— Boat dock, private— Equestrian estab...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Kern County, new construction and substantial improvements in a special flood hazard area must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation, with elevation certified by a licensed engineer, architect, or surveyor.
Kern County 1-Foot Freeboard Above Base Flood Elevation
Some RestrictionsKern County Ordinance Code § 17.48.270 (Elevations and flood proofing)
Except for areas of shallow flooding, new construction, substantial improvement and other proposed new development of any structure in a special flood hazard area shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may meet the standards in Section 17.48.270(C). Qualifying uninhabitable attached garages or storage rooms an...
Environmental Rules by City in Kern County
2 cities in Kern County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Kern County ordinances
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