Planning
Oil and Gas EIR Landing Page
PlanningDivision Overview Renewable Energy Notices of Preparation Environmental Documents Planning Programs Planning Documents Forms & Applications Informational Guides Oil and Gas Permitting Cannabis Land Use Ordinance General PlanGeneral Plan 2040 General Plan Timeline Community Input Documents Interactive Maps Resources & Contacts HearingsHearings Public Hearing Notices Notices of Opportunity Director’s Hearings Map Archive Planning Commission Map…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Local Emergency Declaration
On March 16, 2020 a local emergency related to the Coronavirus, was declared by the Kern County Administrative Office. This declaration was subsequently ratified by the Kern County Board of Supervisors on March 17, 2020. As a result of the emergency and subsequent declaration, the Planning and Natural Resources Department will be closed to the…
Read MoreKern County Oil and Gas Permitting
The Kern County Zoning Ordinance contains provisions for local permitting of oil and gas production. Specifically, Chapter 19.98 (Oil and Gas Production) provides development standards for all future oil and gas exploration, extraction, operations, and production activities in the unincorporated Kern County. The Amendment to the Kern County Zoning Ordinance related to Chapter 19.98 and…
Read MoreEstray Ordinance
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”…
Read MorePublic Hearing Process
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…
Read MoreSpecific Plan
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,…
Read MoreGeneral Plan Amendment
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…
Read MoreSpecial Development Standards
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…
Read MorePrecise Development Plan
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…
Read MorePublic Easement and Street Vacation
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…
Read More