Kern County, CA Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Retail/warehouse 8,501-60,000 sq ft
- 1 loading space
- Office/hotel 100,001-200,000 sq ft
- 1 loading space
- Apartments 26-100 units
- 1 loading space
- Location requirement
- Same lot as the use
Summary
Kern County's zoning ordinance requires commercial, industrial, and larger residential developments in unincorporated areas to provide on-site loading and unloading space in addition to required parking, with freight loading spaces scaled to building floor area or apartment unit count.
19.82.060 OFF-STREET LOADING SPACES. A. For every building or facility occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, wholesale or retail store, market, passenger terminal, apartment complexes consisting of more than fifty (50) dwelling units, theater, hotel, motel, restaurant, hospital, laundry, dry cleaning plant, or similar use requiring the receipt or distribution of vehicles or merchandise, adequate space for standing, loading, and unloading shall be provided and maintained on the same lot in addition to the automobile parking required by Section 19.82.020 of this chapter. B. Freight loading space requirements are as follows: 1. Retail, wholesale, warehousing, and all other uses primarily engaged in the handling of goods: 0 - 8,500 sq. ft., 0 spaces; 8,501 - 60,000 sq. ft., 1 space; 60,001 - 100,000 sq. ft., 2 spaces; over 100,000 sq. ft., 3 plus 1 for each additional 80,000 sq. ft. 2. Office, hotel and all other uses not included above: 0 - 100,000 sq. ft., 0 spaces; 100,001 - 200,000 sq. ft., 1 space; 200,001 - 500,000 sq. ft., 2 spaces; over 500,000 sq. ft., 3 plus 1 for each additional 300,000 sq. ft. 3. Apartments: 0 - 25 units, 0 spaces; 26 - 100 units, 1 space; 101 - 200 units, 2 spaces; over 201 units, 3 plus 1 for each additional 100 units.
Full Breakdown
Under Kern County Zoning Ordinance Section 19.82.060, buildings occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, wholesale or retail stores, markets, passenger terminals, apartment complexes of more than 50 dwelling units, theaters, hotels, motels, restaurants, hospitals, laundries, and similar uses must maintain adequate standing, loading, and unloading space on the same lot, in addition to the automobile parking required by Section 19.82.020. Retail, wholesale, and warehousing uses need one freight loading space at 8,501-60,000 square feet of gross floor area, two at 60,001-100,000, and three plus one per additional 80,000 square feet over 100,000. Offices, hotels, and other uses need one space at 100,001-200,000 square feet, two at 200,001-500,000, and three plus one per additional 300,000 square feet above 500,000. Apartments need one space at 26-100 units, two at 101-200, and three plus one per additional 100 units over 201.
Violations & Fines
Failure to provide required loading spaces is a zoning violation: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail, each day a separate offense, plus administrative penalties under Chapter 8.54 (Sections 19.114.060, 19.114.070).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which uses must provide off-street loading space in unincorporated Kern County?
Do small shops need a loading space in Kern County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
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