Planning

WHAT IS AN ESTRAY ORDINANCE? The California Food and Agriculture Code, allows the Board of Supervisors to declare certain portions of the county as being devoted chiefly to grazing. Areas so designated are generally referred to as “Open Range.” Kern County established an Estray Ordinance in 1942. In such areas, a person may not “take up”…

PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OVERVIEW To assist the public in understanding the public hearing process for land use applications, the following information is provided as an overview. Kern County Planning Commission Hearing The Kern County Planning Commission is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to consider and take action on certain land use and planning issues in addition…

WHAT IS A SPECIFIC PLAN? A specific plan is a regulatory tool that local governments use to guide development in a localized area and to systematically implement the general plan. A specific plan is intended as a more detailed development plan than is a general plan. WHAT DOES A SPECIFIC PLAN LOOK LIKE? According to state law,…

WHAT IS A GENERAL PLAN? California law requires that each county and city in the state develop and adopt a general plan. The general plan consists of a statement of development policies and includes a diagram or diagrams and text setting forth objectives, principles standards, and plan proposals. It is a comprehensive long-term plan for…

WHAT IS THE METROPOLITAN BAKERSFIELD HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN? The Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan (MBHCP) is a program that addresses the effect of urban growth on federally and State protected plant and animal species within the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan area. The MBHCP is a joint program of the City of Bakersfield and Kern County that…

WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS? The Kern County Zoning Ordinance regulates the use of land. It lists certain allowed uses according to particular zoning districts. Zoning districts that allow construction of multifamily dwelling units, commercial uses, or industrial uses are subject to Special Development Standards. More specifically, projects within the following zoning districts are subject…

WHAT IS A PRECISE DEVELOPMENT (PD) PLAN? The Precise Development (PD) Combining District is used to designate areas with unique site characteristics or environmental conditions, or areas surrounded by sensitive land uses to ensure that new development in such areas is compatible with the existing land uses and identified constraints. The PD Combining District may be…

WHAT IS A VACATION? The term “vacation” means the complete or partial abandonment or termination of the public right to use a street, highway, or public service easement. A street or highway is defined as all or part of, or any right in, a state highway or other public highway, road, street, alley, trail, or other…

ZONE DISTRICTS Base zone districts were established to regulate and control a diversity of land uses. A separate handout is available that describes the various district classifications. The Zoning Ordinance, which contains detailed zoning regulations, can be ordered or purchased at the Planning Department. Specific uses may be authorized in one (1) district or in several…

WHAT IS A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP)? Certain uses of land or types of businesses specified in the Kern County Zoning Ordinance require a conditional use permit application. Approval of a conditional use permit requires the submittal of an application form, plot plan, and payment of filing fees. The conditional use permit application requires a public…