Landscaping Rules in Kern County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Kern County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
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).
Tree Limbing and Defensible Space Around Structures
Some RestrictionsKern 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.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
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.
Joshua Tree and Desert Native Plant Removal
Some RestrictionsCalifornia 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 ...
Weed Ordinances
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).
Chapter 8.46. Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths
Some RestrictionsKern 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.
Water Restrictions
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.
MWELO Compliance Required for New Landscaping
Some RestrictionsKern 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...
Rainwater Harvesting
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.
Rainwater Capture and Rain Barrels
Some RestrictionsCalifornia 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...
Artificial Turf
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.
Artificial Turf and Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia 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...
Landscaping Rules by City in Kern County
3 cities in Kern County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Kern County ordinances
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