Pop. 27,959 · Kern County
Ridgecrest Municipal Code Chapter 3 (Animals), Section 3-4 ('Leash law') makes it unlawful to keep or maintain any dog in any place in the city except fastened securely by a chain, rope, harness, or leash, or confined securely within private property legally controlled by the person in possession. Under Sec. 3-3, the animal control officer must impound any dog (and any animal except cats) found at large on any street, sidewalk, lane, alley, or public or unoccupied place, unless securely chained, roped, or leashed. Violations are infractions under Sec. 3-2. State law overlay: Cal. Food & Agricultural Code section 30951 requires all dogs over four months old to wear an identifying collar tag or license tag.
Exotic pets in Ridgecrest are regulated by California state law (CA Code of Regulations §671). Ferrets, hedgehogs, and many wild animals are illegal to own in California.
Beekeeping in Ridgecrest is subject to RMC animal provisions. Beekeepers must comply with California Department of Food and Agriculture hive registration requirements.
Unincorporated Kern County does not mandate spaying or neutering of pets. Owners of unaltered dogs instead pay higher license fees ($60 per year versus $15 for altered dogs), and California law requires shelters and rescues to sterilize dogs before adoption.
Ridgecrest does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance, so STR guests must follow the same general noise and disturbance rules that apply to every Ridgecrest residence. Loud parties, amplified music, and other disturbances at vacation rentals are enforced under the general nuisance and disturbance-of-the-peace provisions in the Ridgecrest Municipal Code.
Ridgecrest has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance, so STRs are not subject to a city-specific guest cap. Maximum occupancy at a Ridgecrest vacation rental is governed by the California Building Code and Fire Code as adopted by the city, plus any HOA or platform-imposed limits.
Ridgecrest has no dedicated short-term rental parking ordinance. STR guests use the same on-site parking and on-street parking rules that apply to any single-family residence in the city, governed by the Ridgecrest Municipal Code traffic and parking chapters and the city's zoning code.
Ridgecrest imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on short-term rentals of less than 30 consecutive days. Hosts must register with the city and remit TOT monthly.
Ridgecrest does not have a dedicated STR-specific ordinance. STR operators likely need a city business license. No specific STR permit program was found as of 2025.
California law requires hosting platforms to verify or disclose liability insurance for short-term rental listings, applying uniformly across all California cities.
Aircraft noise in Ridgecrest is regulated by the FAA and the adjacent Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake (NAWS). Local ordinances do not govern military or commercial aircraft.
Ridgecrest prohibits unnecessary noise that disturbs residents under its municipal code. Quiet hours are generally enforced from 10 PM to 7 AM in residential areas.
Persistent barking that constitutes a nuisance is prohibited under the Ridgecrest Municipal Code. Ridgecrest Animal Control responds to barking dog complaints.
Construction noise in Ridgecrest is restricted to daytime weekday and Saturday hours under the RMC. No construction is permitted on Sundays without special authorization.
Section 8.36.020 of the Kern County Code prohibits operating any public address system or sound equipment when the sound emanates beyond the confines of a permanent building to a degree that constitutes 'loud and raucous noise,' or when used to promote any private affair, business, or commercial enterprise.
Stationary noise sources at commercial and industrial sites within 500 feet of residentially developed and zoned property in unincorporated Kern County may not exceed an average 65 dB Ldn, with a tighter nighttime test between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
No Kern County-specific ordinance directly restricts leaf blower use, hours, or decibel levels in unincorporated areas; the county's general noise rules and California's statewide small off-road engine law (HSC Sec. 43018.11) are what apply.
Abandoned vehicles in Ridgecrest may be cited and towed after 72 hours under California Vehicle Code §22651 and RMC provisions.
Ridgecrest regulates street parking under Chapter 15 (Traffic and Vehicles) of the RMC. Certain streets have time-restricted or prohibited parking zones.
Large commercial vehicles parked in residential zones in Ridgecrest are subject to RMC zoning and traffic regulations.
RV and recreational vehicle parking on Ridgecrest streets is subject to the 72-hour limit and zoning restrictions. RVs may be stored on private property within setback requirements.
Kern County does not impose a blanket overnight parking ban on unincorporated streets, but any vehicle left in place for 72 consecutive hours can be declared abandoned and removed under Chapter 10.28.
In unincorporated Kern County, off-street parking areas and driveways must be surfaced with approved materials, residential driveways must be at least 14 feet wide with 15 feet of vertical clearance, and parking is generally barred from required front-yard setbacks abutting a street.
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.
California law requires Kern County to approve applications to install electric vehicle charging stations administratively through a nondiscretionary building permit, limits county review to health and safety requirements, and deems applications complete or approved if the county misses statutory deadlines.
Garage conversions to living space in Ridgecrest require building and zoning permits. California ADU law allows garage conversions to ADUs with specific rules.
Ridgecrest follows California Government Code §65852.2 for ADUs. Detached ADUs are allowed up to 1,200 square feet and 16 feet in height; attached ADUs may be 25 feet tall to match the primary dwelling. New-construction ADUs need only a 4-foot rear and side setback. ADUs under 750 sq ft are exempt from impact fees, and fire sprinklers are not required unless the primary residence already has them.
Sheds and accessory structures in Ridgecrest require permits from the Building and Safety Division and must comply with zoning setback requirements under Chapter 106.
In unincorporated Kern County, carports are regulated as residential accessory structures, and the combined size of all detached accessory buildings on a residential parcel is capped by lot size -- from 600 square feet on lots under 1/4 acre up to 5,000 square feet (or three times the dwelling's square footage) on lots of 3 acres or more. Carports may not occupy a required front, side, or rear yard and generally may not sit closer to the front property line than the main dwelling.
Kern County has no tiny-home-specific ordinance: a tiny house built on a permanent foundation can be permitted as an accessory dwelling unit under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 19.90 (implementing Government Code Sections 66310-66342), but a tiny house on wheels is classified as a recreational vehicle and cannot serve as a permanent dwelling in unincorporated areas. Temporary RV occupancy requires a conditional use permit and is limited to vacant lots of at least 20 acres in select districts.
Ridgecrest enforces a layered framework: local Ridgecrest Municipal Code Chapter XI § 11-1.1 (Protective Enclosure for Swimming Pools, Etc.), the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §§115920-115929), and the 2022 California Building Code §3109 / California Residential Code Appendix AX adopted under the building department. Any swimming pool, fish pond, wading pool, or artificial body of water 18 inches or deeper must be enclosed by a permanent barrier of at least five feet (60 inches), and new or remodeled pools must include at least two of seven approved drowning prevention features.
A building permit from the Kern County Building Inspection Division is required before constructing any swimming pool, spa or hot tub in unincorporated Kern County. The County adopts the 2019 California Building, Residential and Plumbing Codes, and Appendix M of the adopted Plumbing Code (Kern County Code section 17.20.190) requires that the method of pool wastewater disposal be approved by the Administrative Authority before any work begins. Pre-gunite, electrical and final inspections are required.
Hot tubs and spas count as swimming pools under California's Swimming Pool Safety Act, but units fitted with a locking safety cover meeting the ASTM International F1346 standard are exempt from the Act's drowning prevention requirements in unincorporated Kern County.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act defines a pool as any structure holding water over 18 inches deep and expressly includes above-ground structures, so above-ground pools in unincorporated Kern County face the same drowning prevention and permit rules as in-ground pools.
When unincorporated Kern County issues a permit to build or remodel a pool or spa at a private single-family home, state law requires at least two of seven drowning prevention safety features, verified by the building official before final approval.
Open burning in Ridgecrest is regulated by the Kern County Air Pollution Control District (KCAPCD) and the California Air Resources Board. Burn permits may be required for agricultural or brush burning.
Ridgecrest is one of the Kern County cities that permit 'Safe and Sane' state-licensed fireworks around July 4th. A social host ordinance (adopted November 2025) makes property owners liable for illegal fireworks use on their property.
Recreational fire pits in Ridgecrest are allowed subject to RMC and California fire safety requirements. Fires must be contained, supervised, and only used on permitted burn days.
Small recreational backyard fires for cooking or warmth are allowed under California Fire Code § 307 as adopted by Kern County, but any burning of vegetation, debris, or trash requires a burn permit and an air-district 'permissive' day.
Kern County adopted its own Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Ordinance Code Chapter 17.34), tying local hazardous fire areas to the state Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and in 2025 released updated FHSZ maps adding Moderate, High, and Very High zones in Local Responsibility Areas under SB 63.
Kern County requires 30 feet of clearance of all non-ornamental combustibles around every structure and a total 100 feet of fuel reduction, enforced annually by the Kern County Fire Department under Ordinance Code Chapter 8.46. Properties in State Responsibility Areas must complete clearance by June 1 each year.
The Kern County Fire Code requires a construction permit to install or modify LP-gas containers of 125 gallons water capacity or more (other than at a single-family residence) and caps aggregate LP-gas storage at 2,000 gallons water capacity outside M-2/M-3 industrial zones.
Ridgecrest fence height limits are governed by Chapter 106 (Zoning). Standard residential limits are typically 3–4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards.
Kern County prohibits barbed wire and electrified fences in residential and Estate zones, with narrow exceptions: electrified fences are allowed only for animal containment on RS-combining-district lots of at least 2.5 acres. Sharp wire or points are also barred at the top of fences under 6 feet.
Per the California Building Code as adopted in Kern County Title 17, fences not over 7 feet high are exempt from building permits. Fences exceeding 7 feet, masonry retaining walls, and pool-enclosure barriers require a permit from the Kern County Public Works Building Inspection Division.
In unincorporated Kern County, boundary-fence disputes between neighbors are governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Section 841), which presumes adjoining landowners share equally in the reasonable costs of building, maintaining, or replacing a shared fence. A landowner who intends to incur fence costs must give each affected neighbor 30 days' prior written notice.
In unincorporated Kern County, a retaining wall needs a building permit if it is over 4 feet tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, or if it supports a surcharge or impounds Class I, II, or III-A liquids at any height. The retaining portion of a wall does not count toward the county's zoning height limits for fences and walls.
California's Swimming Pool Safety Act in Health and Safety Code Section 115920 mandates statewide drowning prevention barriers around residential pools, with cities prohibited from adopting weaker standards.
Tree removal on private property in Ridgecrest generally does not require a permit unless the tree is in the public right-of-way or affects a protected area.
Unincorporated Kern County requires every property to clear non-ornamental combustibles and vegetation 30 feet around structures and 100 feet of fuel reduction by June 1 each year under Chapter 8.46 (Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths).
Kern County requires non-ornamental trees to be limbed up at least 6 feet from the ground, with dead limbs removed and trees and limbs cleared at least 10 feet from chimney outlets, under Chapter 8.46 (Weeds and Other Hazardous Growths).
Unincorporated Kern County requires new and rehabilitated landscapes to comply with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) under Title 19, Chapter 19.86 of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.
Kern County Ordinance Code Chapter 8.46 declares weeds and other hazardous growths a public nuisance subject to abatement, administered by the Fire Department under the Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP).
No Kern County-specific ordinance restricts residential rainwater harvesting in unincorporated areas. Under the California Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, property owners may capture and use rainwater from rooftops without a water right permit.
No Kern County ordinance prohibits artificial turf in unincorporated areas, and state law bars the county from prohibiting living drought-tolerant landscaping on residential property. HOA bans on artificial turf are void under state law, though since 2024 local governments may regulate synthetic turf if they choose.
SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.
AB-1572 prohibits using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, institutional, and HOA-common areas, accelerating native and low-water landscape conversions statewide.
Kern County Zoning Ordinance § 19.94.040 limits home occupations to 25% of the gross area of one floor of the residence (or equivalent accessory building space), restricts work to occupants of the residence, prohibits outside storage, requires appointment-only operation, and caps business vehicles at five tons. The use must remain compatible with the residential character of the neighborhood.
Kern County prohibits all home occupation signs in unincorporated areas. Under § 19.94.040(9), 'No sign shall be permitted, other than the clearly posted address of the home.' The County's official application materials reinforce that 'no advertising signs are permitted on the property' for any home-based business.
Kern County Chapter 19.96 sets development standards and a Planning Director permit process for large family day-care homes serving up to 14 children, though California law now treats family daycare homes as a residential use by right.
Kern County residents can sell approved low-risk homemade foods as cottage food operations. Class A operations register with Kern County Public Health for direct sales; Class B operations need a permit and may also sell through stores and restaurants.
Home occupations in unincorporated Kern County must be run by appointment only and solely by residents of the home. Freight deliveries beyond normal residential frequency are prohibited, and on-site sales are limited to products made on the premises.
Unincorporated Kern County requires a ministerial Home Occupation Permit from the Planning and Natural Resources Department before any business activity may be conducted from a residential dwelling. The one-time filing fee is $50 and applications are typically processed within one to two weeks with no public hearing required.
Ridgecrest is a desert city with flash flood risk from sudden desert storms in dry washes and alluvial fans. FEMA-mapped flood zones include some AE and X areas. The Indian Wells Valley groundwater basin is critically overdrafted.
The California Coastal Act, Public Resources Code sections 30000 through 30900, requires Coastal Development Permits for nearly all work in the coastal zone and gives the Coastal Commission appeal jurisdiction over local decisions.
California Water Code sections 13260 and 13383 implement the federal Clean Water Act through statewide MS4 NPDES permits issued by the State and Regional Water Boards, binding all municipal stormwater dischargers uniformly.
Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.
Recreational drone flight in California is governed primarily by FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 USC 44809, with state-level rules added by Civil Code 1708.8 and Government Code 853 applying uniformly statewide.
California sets a statewide minimum wage floor under Labor Code 1182.12, currently $16.50 per hour for all employers as of 2025. Local governments are not preempted and may set higher minimums; many cities exceed the state rate substantially.
California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours or five days annually effective January 2024, applying universally.
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.
California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.
California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.
California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700-114437) sets uniform mobile food facility permit, equipment, and food safety standards enforced by counties statewide.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.
California HOAs may levy regular and special assessments, charge late fees and interest, record liens, and ultimately foreclose on delinquent owners under the Davis-Stirling Act. State law (Civil Code sections 5650-5740) caps fees and interest and imposes strict notice steps and a delinquency threshold before any foreclosure may proceed.
California tightly regulates HOA governance. The Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900-4955) governs board meetings and member access, sections 5100-5145 mandate secret-ballot elections with independent inspectors, and sections 5200-5240 give members broad rights to inspect association records.
California HOAs enforce recorded CC&Rs and architectural rules, but Civil Code section 4765 requires architectural decisions to be fair, reasonable, and in good faith, and sections 5900-5965 require internal dispute resolution plus an attempt at alternative dispute resolution before most enforcement lawsuits can be filed.
California HOAs may fine members for rule violations, but only under a published schedule of fines and after strict due-process steps. Civil Code section 5855 requires written notice and a hearing before any monetary penalty, and section 5725 bars fines from becoming a foreclosable lien on the home.
California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag displays, drought-tolerant landscaping, EV charging stations, and most noncommercial signs, even where local city rules are silent.
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.
The California Values Act (SB 54, 2017) codified at Government Code 7284-7284.12 limits state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It applies uniformly to every California agency and bars participation in most civil immigration enforcement.
California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and holidays), and lease violations require a 3-day notice to cure or quit. No-fault terminations of covered tenancies require 30, 60, or 90 days. Self-help lockouts are illegal.
California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat, water, electricity, and sanitation. If repairs fail after notice, a tenant may repair and deduct up to one month's rent under § 1942 or withhold rent.
Civil Code 1946.2 requires landlords statewide to have just cause to terminate tenancies of qualifying tenants who have lived in a covered unit at least 12 months.
California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written notice (24 hours is presumed reasonable) and may enter only during normal business hours, for specific permitted reasons such as repairs, inspections, or showings.
California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is valid only if it reasonably estimates the landlord's actual loss from late payment; arbitrary penalty fees are unenforceable.
To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more, under Civ. Code § 1946.1. AB 1482 requires just cause after 12 months; military and DV tenants may exit early.
California limits annual rent increases statewide to 5% plus the local change in the cost of living, capped at 10%, under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB-1482). It also lets cities and counties enact their own stricter rent-control ordinances, subject to the limits of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
California requires written notice before raising a month-to-month tenant's rent. Under Civ. Code § 827, increases of 10% or less in 12 months need 30 days' notice; increases above 10% need 90 days' notice. AB 1482 separately caps yearly increases on covered units.
As of July 1, 2024, California landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. The deposit, minus any lawful deductions, must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days after move-out, or the landlord risks penalties of up to twice the deposit.
California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A squatter or trespasser who has not paid taxes gains no ownership and can be removed by unlawful detainer, ejectment, or a police trespass action.
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.
The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.
California prohibits grocery stores and large retailers from providing single-use plastic carryout bags under Public Resources Code 42280-42288, enacted by SB 270 (2014) and ratified as Proposition 67 in 2016. Recycled paper or reusable bags require a 10-cent minimum charge.
California restricts expanded polystyrene food containers statewide through SB 54 (2022) packaging requirements under Public Resources Code 42040-42081. The law mandates that polystyrene foodware achieve 25 percent recycling by 2025 or face statewide sales prohibition.
California Public Resources Code 42270-42273, enacted by AB 1884 (2018), prohibits full-service restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless requested by the customer. The on-request rule applies uniformly to dine-in restaurants statewide.
Civil Code section 714 voids HOA covenants and rules that prohibit or unreasonably restrict residential solar energy systems, preempting private and local restrictions.
California's Solar Rights Act and the SolarAPP+ mandate (SB 379) require expedited permit review of small residential solar systems, preempting restrictive local processes.
California prohibits sale of tobacco and vapor products to anyone under 21 statewide under Business and Professions Code 22958, enacted by SBX2-7 in 2016. The Tobacco 21 standard applies uniformly across all California jurisdictions.
California bans retail sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide under Health and Safety Code 104559.5, enacted by SB 793 (2020) and upheld by voters via Proposition 31 in November 2022. The ban applies uniformly to all California retailers.
California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970 establishes uniform retailer licensing, while local governments may adopt stricter rules.