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Kern County, CA Data Centers & Crypto Mining: Data Center Zoning & Siting (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Dedicated Ordinance
None; general industrial zoning
Districts
M-1, M-2, M-3 industrial
Base Approval
Director plot plan review
Governing Chapter
Zoning Ordinance Ch. 19.80
Environmental
CEQA review applies

Summary

Kern County has no dedicated data center ordinance. In unincorporated areas a data center is an industrial use, sited in the M-1, M-2, or M-3 districts under Zoning Ordinance Title 19, cleared through a Planning Director plot plan review and CEQA. Bakersfield, Delano, and Ridgecrest set their own zoning.

City-specific rules exist: Bakersfield has its own data center zoning & siting rules that differ from Kern County's county-level regulations. If you live in Bakersfield, check the city-specific page instead.

The purpose of the Light Industrial (M-1) District is to designate areas for wholesale commercial, storage, trucking, assembly-type manufacturing, and other similar industrial uses.

Source: Kern County Zoning Ordinance (Title 19) & County General Plan Noise ElementView official code

Full Breakdown

Unincorporated Kern County regulates data centers only through its general Zoning Ordinance (Title 19), not a data-center chapter. A server or computing facility is not a named use, so the Planning Director classifies it as a similar industrial use under Sections 19.08.030 through 19.08.080 and places it in the M-1 Light Industrial (Chapter 19.36), M-2 Medium Industrial (Chapter 19.38), or M-3 Heavy Industrial (Chapter 19.40) district. Permitted industrial uses require a plot plan review approved by the Planning Director under Chapter 19.80 before any grading or building permit issues (Section 19.80.040). The county's vast unincorporated oil, ag, and industrial land gives real siting capacity, but a discretionary approval triggers CEQA review.

Violations & Fines

Building or expanding a data center in unincorporated Kern County without an approved Chapter 19.80 plot plan review, any required conditional use permit, or CEQA clearance stalls approval and draws county code enforcement until the project conforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can a data center be built in Kern County?
In unincorporated areas, only in the M-1, M-2, or M-3 industrial districts under Zoning Ordinance Title 19, with a Planning Director plot plan review under Chapter 19.80 and CEQA review for larger projects.
Does Kern County have data center rules, and how can I weigh in?
No. Kern County has no dedicated data-center ordinance; facilities are governed only by general industrial zoning, CEQA, and the county noise standard. To push for one, contact the Kern County Board of Supervisors at kerncounty.com/government/board-of-supervisors.
Does county zoning apply inside Bakersfield or Ridgecrest?
No. Zoning Ordinance Title 19 governs only unincorporated Kern County. Incorporated cities like Bakersfield, Delano, Ridgecrest, California City, Shafter, and Tehachapi adopt and enforce their own zoning within their limits.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kern County

Data Center Noise LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Preferential Parking DistrictsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: BeekeepingSome RestrictionsBusiness Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential PropertyHeavy RestrictionsZoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus LawSome RestrictionsWater Use Rules: Turf Replacement RebatesSignificant RestrictionsSign Regulations: Political SignsSome Restrictions

All Kern County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California data centers & crypto mining overview

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Data Center Zoning & Siting in Cities Across Kern County

Bakersfield, CARidgecrest, CADelano, CA