Whether you’re working on new construction in Bakersfield or an ADU project in Ridgecrest, getting clear on Kern County, California building permit requirements early can save you time, rework, and inspection delays.
This guide explains what typically needs a permit, how fees are commonly estimated, what timelines to expect, and how to submit and track your application through the Kern County Permit Portal.
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What requires a building permit in Kern County?
Most new construction, additions, remodels, or system upgrades will require a permit. The Kern County Building Inspection Division uses California Building Codes, local amendments, and zoning requirements.
Projects that require a permit:
- New buildings: Any new house, garage, accessory building, commercial structure
- Additions: Room additions, patio covers, new attached or detached structures, swimming pools, etc
- Alterations: Re-roofs, garage conversions, exterior stucco, and similar work that changes the structure or exterior
- Repairs involving building systems: Replacing water heaters or other plumbing fixtures, installing or replacing A/C units, new electrical service, rewiring, and similar non-cosmetic repairs
- Moving or demolishing a building: Relocation or demo of any structure
- Installing heating equipment: Wood/pellet stoves, wall heaters, fireplaces, and similar fuel-burning equipment
- Most electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work: Separate permits are required unless specifically exempted in the Kern County Electrical / Plumbing / Mechanical codes (there are limited oilfield-specific exemptions)
What doesn’t require a building permit in Kern County, CA?
Kern County’s FAQ lists the following as not requiring a building permit:
- Small accessory structures: One-story detached sheds, playhouses, similar uses <120 sq ft floor area
- Fences <7 ft high
- Short partitions / cases: Movable cases, counters, and partitions <5′ 9″ high
- Short retaining walls: Retaining walls <4 ft high (bottom of footing to top of wall) that do not support a surcharge or impound Class I, II, or III-A liquids
- Small water tanks: Tanks on grade <5,000 gallons with height-to-diameter ratio <2:1
- Low platforms, walks, driveways: Not more than 30" above grade and not over a basement or story below (check with the Building Official if accessible to the public)
- Purely cosmetic work: Painting, wallpapering, and similar finish work
- Temporary stage/film sets: Motion picture, TV, theater stage sets and scenery
- Small residential awnings: Window awnings on Group R-3 or U-1 (typical single-family/garage) projecting <54" from an exterior wall
- Very shallow prefabricated pools: Prefabricated swimming pools <24" deep
Kern County building permit cost
Permit fees in Kern County are based on project type, construction valuation, and size. Below are typical fee ranges.
New construction permit fees:
You can find more information on additional fees in the county fee schedule.
Kern County trade permits
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, wiring, or low-voltage system installation.
Permit issuance fee (each electrical permit): $23
Mechanical permits
Covers heating, cooling, and ventilation work in residential or commercial settings.
Permit issuance fee (each mechanical permit): $23
Special permits
Additional permits may be required for site structures or finishes.
Permit issuance fee (each structure permit): $23
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How to get a building permit in Kern County
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Kern County’s FAQ spells out what they expect with a permit application. In practice, you should have:
- Completed Kern County building permit application
- Plans (3 sets if submitting on paper; clear, complete PDFs if electronic):
- Site plan: All property lines, existing + proposed structures, use of each, distances to property lines, and a north arrow
- Floor plan: Walls, doors, windows, use of each room, and key dimensions
- Structural plans: Foundation plan, wall framing with required bracing, floor framing, roof framing or truss layout, cross sections, connection details, and statement of special inspections (if required)
- Electrical plan: Required smoke detector locations for residential
- Plumbing & mechanical plans: Required for most commercial projects and unusual residential work
- Structural calculations for most commercial and non-conventional projects (2 sets, stamped/signed by a CA-licensed architect or engineer)
- Title 24 energy documentation (2 sets, if required)
- Soils / foundation investigation if required under CBC Chapter 18
- Owner/contractor info: Names/addresses plus contractor’s license and workers’ comp details
- Scope of work and estimated valuation: Be ready to provide a realistic construction value
Step 2: Submit online via the Permit Portal
You can now complete the entire permit process online.
Here’s how to do so in Accela:
- Go to Kern County’s Building Inspection page
- Create a Citizen Portal account if you don’t already have one
- The portal walks you through:
- Filling out the electronic application and legal declarations
- Entering project valuation
- Uploading your plans and supporting documents in compliance with the Electronic Document Submittal Requirements and Submittal Checklist
- Paying minimum / intake fees so your submittal can move into plan review
Paper/counter option
You can still print and fill out the Building Permit Application and bring it to a Building Inspection office (main office is in Bakersfield; satellite offices in Lake Isabella and Ridgecrest have limited hours).
- City of Bakersfield Building Department
- Address: 1715 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Phone: (661) 326-3720
- Lake Isabella Office
- Address: Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
- Ridgecrest Office
- Address: Open Monday and Wednesday
- Hours: 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
- Lebec Office
- Address: Open Tuesday and Thursday
- Hours: 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Step 3: Plan review and corrections
Kern County breaks the permit lifecycle into four main phases; the second is Plan Review. Once your application is complete and minimum fees are paid:
- Routing to departments: Building Inspection acts as a one-stop shop and routes your plans to all departments that have a safety or regulatory interest (e.g., Building, Planning, Fire, Environmental Health, Flood, Traffic/PM&E)
- Code review: Each department checks your plans against its codes and ordinances (CBC, CRC, local amendments, zoning standards, etc.)
- Corrections (if needed): If something is missing or non-compliant, Kern sends you written correction letters (“compliance letters”) by email or mail; you must revise plans and submit responses through the portal or at the counter
- Approval: After each department signs off electronically and any remaining fees are calculated, your permit is ready to issue
Note: Use the Kern County Building Permit search page to find your application status.
Step 4: Pay final fees and receive your permit
After all departments approve the plans:
- A complete list of fees is generated by a permit technician (building permit + plan check + any related department fees)
- You must pay the remaining balance (beyond the minimum application fees already paid) before issuance
- Once paid:
- Your permit is issued in the system
- You receive approved plans and a Job Card (either downloadable via the portal or handed to you at the office)
On-site requirement
The approved plans and Job Card must be on site and available to the inspector at all times. Kern County’s FAQ explicitly says approved plans must remain on the job site for the duration of the project; if they’re not available, inspections won’t be performed.
Step 5: Start work and request inspections
Only start construction after the permit is issued.
Once you’re in the construction phase:
- Use the Job Card inspection list: It shows all required inspections (footings/foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation/drywall, finals, etc.)
- Schedule inspections:
- Call the inspection request line at (661) 862-8681, or
- Schedule online through the Citizen Portal using your permit number
- Same-day inspections are available if you schedule before 8:00 a.m., subject to availability
- Final and occupancy:
- After all required inspections pass, your permit is “finalized”
- Structures are not legally occupiable until the permit has been finalized; a Certificate of Occupancy is issued when required by code
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Kern County permitting resources
- Kern County Building Inspection Division
- Address: 2700 "M" Street, Suite 150, Bakersfield, CA 93301-2370
- Phone: (661) 862-8650
- Email: bid@kerncounty.com
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- BID Inspection Requests
- Phone: (661) 862-8681
- After Hours BID Inspection Requests
- Phone: (661) 862-8681
- Kern County building permit fees
- Kern County’s FAQ
- Kern County building permit application
- Kern County permit portal
- Does my project require a building permit?
- Office location and hours
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