Most of Kern County's population resides within incorporated cities, such as Bakersfield, which manage their own building permits and zoning. The Kern County Planning and Community Development Department handles unincorporated areas. Special districts and overlays for flood control, fire safety, and other environmental factors may apply depending on the specific location within the county.
Kern County has specific dust control ordinances that require measures to mitigate dust generation during construction activities, particularly in arid regions.
How this fits with the state
The state authority here is California Contractors State License Board. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.
Source · City-by-city; Bakersfield and other incorporated cities operate their own building departments and permit portals.Last verified · 05 / 2026