Kern County, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Per Kern County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 19.94.040 (Minimum Standards), a home occupation in unincorporated Kern County must comply with ten specific standards. The business must be conducted solely by occupants of the residence, except as permitted by AB 1616 (Cottage Food Operations). No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross area of one (1) floor of the residence, or equivalent area in an enclosed detached accessory building, may be used for the home occupation. The use may not require external alterations or involve construction features or use of electrical or mechanical equipment that would change the fire rating of the structure or the fire district in which it is located. Outside storage of any kind related to the home occupation is prohibited. The home occupation must be conducted by appointment only. It may not require commercial carrier freight deliveries at the site at a frequency greater than normally found in a residential area. The home occupation may not create noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference, fire hazard, or any other hazard or nuisance to any greater or more frequent extent than that usually experienced in an average residential occupancy under normal circumstances. There may be no sales of products or merchandise other than those produced on the premises, limited to those incidental to the permitted home occupation. Vehicles required for the operation of a home occupation shall not exceed five (5) tons. For Cottage Food Operations permitted under AB 1616, off-street parking must comply with Chapter 19.82.020L: two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit plus one additional off-street space per employee.