7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Kern County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Kern County requires every property to clear non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation 30 feet around structures and 100 feet of fuel reduction by June 1 each year under Chapter 8.46 (Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths).
Kern County Fire Department, Hazard Reduction Clearance Requirements Checklist (implementing Kern County Ordinance Code Ch. 8.46)
Provided a 30 ft. clearance of all non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation around all structures. (This includes wood piles) Provided a total 100 ft. reduction of all non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation around all structures. ... Provide a minimum 10 ft. clearance around all property lines that encroach on the 100 foot defensible space of adjacent structures.
Kern County requires non-ornamental trees to be limbed up at least 6 feet from the ground, with dead limbs removed and trees and limbs cleared at least 10 feet from chimney outlets, under Chapter 8.46 (Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths).
Kern County Fire Department, Hazard Reduction Clearance Requirements Checklist (implementing Kern County Ordinance Code Ch. 8.46)
Remove trees and limbs within 10 ft. of stovepipe and chimney outlets. Remove any dead limbs that overhang or are adjacent to structures. ... All non-ornamental trees should be limbed within 6 ft. from the ground and dead limbs removed.
Removing a western Joshua tree anywhere in Kern County requires authorization from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. The California Desert Native Plants Act also requires a permit from the county agricultural commissioner or sheriff before harvesting protected desert plants such as yuccas, cacti, ocotillo, and mesquites.
California Fish and Game Code Section 1927.2; Food and Agricultural Code Section 80073
Fish and Game Code 1927.2. (a) No person or public agency shall import into this state, export out of this state, or take, possess, purchase, or sell within this state, a western Joshua tree or any part or product of the tree, except as authorized pursuant to any of the following, as applicable: (1) This chapter. (2) The California Endangered Species Act. (3) The Natural Community Conservation ...
Kern County Ordinance Code Chapter 8.46 declares weeds and other hazardous growths a public nuisance subject to abatement, administered by the Fire Department under the Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP).
Kern County Ordinance Code Chapter 8.46 (Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths), Title 8 Health and Safety
The Kern County Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP) is a joint effort between the Kern County Fire Department, Cal Fire, Kern County Code Enforcement, and property owners. The program is currently administered and enforced by fire department personnel following Kern County Ordinance Code 8.46.
Unincorporated Kern County requires new and rehabilitated landscapes to comply with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) under Title 19, Chapter 19.86 of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.
Kern County Zoning Ordinance § 19.86.020 (Landscaping Standards Generally)
All landscaping shall be consistent with: A. California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; B. Kern County Code of Building Regulations (Title 17); and C. The State Fire Safe regulations contained in Section 4290 of the Public Resources Code...
No Kern County-specific ordinance restricts residential rainwater harvesting in unincorporated areas. Under the California Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, property owners may capture and use rainwater from rooftops without a water right permit.
California Water Code Sections 10573-10574
10573. Solely for the purposes of this part, and unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part: ... (b) 'Rain barrel system' is a type of rainwater capture system that does not use electricity or a water pump and is not connected to or reliant on a potable water system. (c) 'Rainwater' means precipitation on any public or private parcel th...
No Kern County ordinance prohibits artificial turf in unincorporated areas, and state law bars the county from prohibiting living drought-tolerant landscaping on residential property. HOA bans on artificial turf are void under state law, though since 2024 local governments may regulate synthetic turf if they choose.
California Government Code Section 53087.7
53087.7. (a) A city, including a charter city, county, or city and county, shall not enact any ordinance or regulation, or enforce any existing ordinance or regulation, that prohibits the installation of drought-tolerant landscaping using living plant material on residential property. (b) For the purposes of this section, 'drought-tolerant landscaping' shall not include the installation of synt...
3 cities in Kern County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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