A property owner may discover that their property’s existing zone district does not allow a desired use and will request a change to the appropriate zone district. Occasionally, a zone change is requested by a property owner whose parcel has already been developed, yet the change is necessary to bring the site’s use into conformity…

Completed applications will be set for a public hearing before the Kern County Planning Commission and then the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission meets the second and fourth Thursdays (excluding holidays) of every month, and the meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. When the Planning Commission concludes its hearing, a recommendation is made, and the…

Base zone districts were established to regulate and allow a diversity of land uses. The Zoning Ordinance, which contains detailed zoning regulations, can be viewed on the Department website at https://www.kernplanning.com/planning. Specific uses may be allowed in one (1) district or in several zone districts. For example, a tobacco processing facility is an intensive use that…

If the Board of Supervisors approves the zone change, it normally becomes effective in thirty (30) calendar days. Sometimes the Board of Supervisors will approve a zone change where that approval is “held in suspense” pending certain other actions that may be required. For example, a zone change application for R-1 zoning may be “held…

Most completed zone change applications are ultimately approved if they are consistent with the overlaying General Plan or Specific Plan land use designation. By State law, zone districts must be consistent with a jurisdiction’s general plan (or Specific Plan) designation. If the requested zoning is not consistent with the overlaying General Plan, then an additional…

Applications can be mailed, obtained directly from the Department, or their website. Submittal requirements include the payment of filing fees, authorization of the property owner, a legal description of the site, a scaled plot plan, and a completed “Hazardous Waste Site Verification Statement.” The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that an environmental study be…

Applicants should allow two (2) weeks for a preliminary review. A typical zone change will require approximately three (3) months to process from the time the application is completed. If a Negative Declaration is required, processing time will be five (5) to six (6) months, and if an Environmental Impact Report is necessary, applicants should…