Kern County, CA Home Business: Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Regulations governing home-based businesses in unincorporated Kern County are contained in Chapter 19.94 of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance (Title 19). Per Form 606 (Instructions to Applicant Filing Home Occupation Permit) issued by the Kern County Planning and Natural Resources Department, 'No home occupation shall be established until an application for a home occupation permit has been submitted to and approved by the planning director as consistent with the requirements of this chapter' (§ 19.94.050). Applications are filed with the Planning and Natural Resources Department at 2700 'M' Street, Suite 100, Bakersfield, CA 93301. The Department's official Form 606 sets a one-time filing fee of $50.00, payable at the time of submittal. Because no public hearings are required, permits are normally processed within one to two weeks. Permits remain valid for as long as the business operates from the property but may be revoked by the Planning Director for noncompliance with the adopted standards in § 19.94.040. The home occupation must be a small business 'conducted as a residential accessory use that can be located and conducted so that an average neighbor, under normal circumstances, would not be aware of its existence,' per the Department's published purpose statement.