Kern County, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Kern County Code § 13.16.020(F)
- Location
- Kern River Riparian Preserve Park, near Lake Ming Rd
- Banned activities
- Smoking, fires, camping, weapons, unauthorized vehicles
- Allowed passive uses
- Fishing, hiking, leashed dog walking, picnicking
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor or administrative violation
- Adopted
- Ord. No. G-8980, § 2, 11-10-20
Summary
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.
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 littering. Anyone violating the provisions of this subsection may be guilty of a misdemeanor or administrative violation and subject to appropriate penalties. ... NOTICE: KERN RIVER RIPARIAN PRESERVE PARK. UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLES, THE USE OF ANY FIREARMS, OPEN FIRES OF ANY KIND, OVERNIGHT CAMPING, SMOKING, LITTERING, MOLESTING AND DAMAGING FLORA AND FAUNA ARE ALL STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 59 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
020(F) prohibits operating motorized or off-road vehicles without authorization inside the Kern River Riparian Preserve Park, a specifically surveyed parcel along the lower Kern River near Lake Ming Road, and separately lists other banned uses as inconsistent with the park's resource-protection and passive-recreation purpose: weapons use of any kind, unauthorized taking, molesting or harming of flora or fauna, fires of any kind, smoking, overnight camping, and dumping or littering. The section states the county's intent is to operate the preserve consistent with the Kern River Plan Element and Kern River Specific Trails Plan, protecting the riparian corridor while allowing compatible passive uses such as fishing, hiking, leashed dog walking, picnicking and Class I bicycle riding that do not disturb the habitat.
The county is required to post educational and instructional signs conspicuously along the preserve's boundaries and at access points, and the code sets out the exact required wording, naming smoking specifically among the banned activities alongside unauthorized vehicles, firearms, open fires, overnight camping, littering, and molesting or damaging flora and fauna. Access for maintenance, construction, and authorized vehicles and equipment remains permitted under subsection G despite the general prohibition.
Violations & Fines
Anyone who smokes, sets a fire, camps overnight, uses a weapon, or operates an unauthorized vehicle in the Kern River Riparian Preserve Park may be charged with a misdemeanor or an administrative violation and is subject to appropriate penalties under Section 13.16.020(F), which the county enforces through posted signage citing the section number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is smoking banned everywhere in Kern County parks?
Can I still walk my dog or fish at the preserve?
What is the penalty for smoking in the preserve?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.