Planning

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…

The Zoning Ordinance lists development standards for each zone district. Relief from strict application of these requirements may be possible through either the ZONE MODIFICATION or ZONE VARIANCE process. Variances that would allow an activity or use not expressly authorized by a zone district are prohibited (Section 65906 of the California Government Code). WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MODIFICATION…

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…

WHAT IS A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE? A Certificate of Compliance is a legal document which certifies that a parcel of land complies with the Subdivision Map Act. In other words, it is a document that states Kern County accepts the fact that a particular parcel of real property has been legally created. There are a number…

WHAT IS A PARCEL MAP (PM)? A “parcel map” is a land division map processed through the Planning and Natural Resources Department resulting in the creation of four (4) or fewer lots, which is specifically authorized by the State Subdivision Map Act and Chapter 18.25 of the Kern County Land Division Ordinance. In the case of…

WHAT IS A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT (LLA)? A lot line adjustment is the process that is used to change property lines of existing parcels. The process can be used to do a number of things, such as: combine up to four (4) adjacent parcels into one (1) parcel, alter the boundary between up to four (4) parcels,…

WHAT IS A PARCEL MAP WAIVER (PMW)? Normally when land is subdivided, both a tentative and final map are required by the State Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Section 66410 et. seq.); however, when fewer than five (5) parcels will be created, a parcel map is allowed under State Law (Government Code Section 66426). As applied…

WHAT IS A TRACT MAP? A tract map is one of the processes used to subdivide real property into smaller lots. Typically, the tract map is used to create five (5) or more residential lots. This type of subdivision is normally associated with full urban improvements, which would include paved streets, curb, gutter and sidewalk, fire…