Public Conduct 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
Skateboarding Rules
Anyone riding a skateboard at a county-owned or operated skateboard park in Kern County must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Skating without all three pieces of gear is a citable infraction, on top of any administrative penalty the county chooses to assess.
Helmet and Pad Rule at Kern County Skateboard Parks
Light RestrictionsKern County Code § 13.04.070 (Skateboard parks-Skateboard equipment)
Any person riding a skateboard at a skateboard park owned or operated by the county, that is designed and maintained for the purpose of recreational skateboard use, must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. Any person riding a skateboard without wearing a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads is guilty of an infraction punishable as prescribed in Section 1.12.020 of this code. A person who vio...
Loud Party Ordinance
Kern County treats gatherings at vacant, for-sale homes occupied without the owner's consent as 'nuisance parties' under Ordinance Code Section 9.36.020 when they produce disorderly conduct, underage drinking, drug use, illegal dumping, or property damage. Every attendee, promoter or coordinator faces a $1,000 civil penalty, and the sheriff can summarily disband the gathering.
Kern County Nuisance Party Penalties
Significant RestrictionsKern County Ordinance Code § 9.36.020
A nuisance party is any party or social gathering where those attending have entered on and are occupying any real property or structures owned by any other person without the consent of the owner, the owner's agent, or the person in lawful possession and which, by reason of the conduct of the persons in attendance, results in one or more of the following conditions or events occurring at the s...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Kern County outright bans smoking, along with open fires, camping and firearms, throughout the Kern River Riparian Preserve Park, a mapped stretch of riverside land the county operates as a passive-use natural preserve near Lake Ming Road.
Smoking Banned at Kern River Riparian Preserve Park
Heavy RestrictionsKern County Code § 13.16.020(F) (Kern River County Park Natural Preserve Area)
F.It is unlawful to operate motorized vehicles and off-road vehicles, unless authorized, at the Kern River Riparian Preserve Park. Other uses prohibited and inconsistent with resource protection and passive recreation are, but not limited to weapons use of any kind, unauthorized "take" or molesting or harming any flora or fauna, fires of any kind, smoking, overnight camping, dumping or litterin...
Public Marijuana Use
Kern County bans smoking, ingesting, or otherwise using cannabis products anywhere in a county park or other public place, including park parking areas. Adults 21 and older face a fine of up to $100; those under 21 face mandatory drug education and community service instead of a fine.
Cannabis Use Banned in All Kern County Parks
Significant RestrictionsKern County Code § 13.04.210 (Cannabis products in any Kern County park or other public place)
It is unlawful for any person to light, smoke, ingest, discard, or use in any other way, any cannabis product at any time in any Kern County park or other Kern County public place. This prohibition includes the parking areas of such parks, and therefore cannabis products are not permitted in the parking areas of any Kern County park or other Kern County public place. Violation of this section i...
Public Alcohol Use
Kern County bans selling or drinking alcohol, or carrying an opened alcoholic beverage container, at Lamont Park, Virginia Avenue Park, Heritage Park, Lost Hills Park, and Rexland Acres Park unless a special-event alcohol permit is on file. First-time violators face up to a $50 fine, rising to $250 for repeat violations within a year.
Open Container Ban at Five Kern County Parks
Some RestrictionsKern County Code § 13.04.092 (Alcoholic beverages in specified county parks)
Any sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages or possession of any can, bottle, or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed is prohibited in Lamont Park, Virginia Avenue Park, Heritage Park, Lost Hills Park, or Rexland Acres Park; provided, however, that sales, consumption of such beverages,...
Public Conduct by City in Kern County
2 cities in Kern County have their own public conduct rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Kern County ordinances
See every category we cover for Kern County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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