News & Press Releases

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…

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…

New Website – https://kern2040.com/ In 2017 the Kern County Planning and Natural Resources initiated the process on the Kern County General Plan Update for 2040. As part of that process, a new website has been created. This website is dedicated to keeping the public aware of the progress in updating…

The RENEWBIZ Grant Program assists organizations with the cost of developing or improving commercial and industrial districts within the unincorporated communities of East Kern County. It is a flexible source of competitive funding for a broad range of facade improvement activities. For further information, please view the Grant Application and Handbook below.…

Section 19.81 of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance is intended to reduce unnecessary night lighting and to minimize lighting impacts on surrounding properties to help protect Kern County’s rural characteristic of access to a natural dark sky environment and to avoid public nuisances. Full Informational Guide (90 KB) Please refer to…

The County of Kern has updated the Housing Element of the General Plan in accordance to State law for the planning period 2015-2023. The Housing Element provides an identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs and a statement of goals, policies, and implementation programs that enable Kern County…

May  19, 2015 – Board of Supervisors Hearing 5/19/2015 Staff Report (45.1 MB) 5/19/2015 Addendum Staff Report (23.5 MB) May 13, 2015 – Board of Supervisors Hearing IWVLMP 5.13.15 Staff Report (36.3 MB) April 9, 2015 – Planning Commission Hearing 4/9/2015 Staff Report (19 MB) Notice of Public Hearing (1.5 MB) March 30, 2015 –…

This project was approved on November 9, 2015 and became effective on December 9, 2015. A Notice of Preparation for a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report was released on May 31, 2018. The Project Boundary (Local Permitting Boundary Area) encompasses 3,110 square miles and generally includes the San Joaquin Valley Floor portion…

Document: Kern County Zoning Ordinance – November 2017 revision

Changes in Permit Process with the Issuance of new Incidental Take Permit for the Metropolitan Bakersfield Area The County of Kern and the City of Bakersfield have received a new Incidental Take Permit (ITP) from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Plan (MBHCP) ensures…