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Kern County · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Kern County

Residential parcels under ¼ acre: detached accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft combined and the main home's height.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: Residential parcels under ¼ acre: detached accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft combined and the main home's height.

Each rule below links to the section of the Kern County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Kern County's code says

Kern County code What Kern County's code adds
Maximum height
  • No higher than the main home.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels under ¼ acre in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    The accessory buildings shall not exceed the height of the principal dwelling.
  • No higher than the main home.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels between ¼ and ½ acre in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    and shall not exceed the height of the principal dwelling.
  • No more than 20 feet or the main home's height, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels over ½ acre and under 3 acres, R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts, Metropolitan Bakersfield plan area.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    and shall not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet or the height of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater.
  • No more than the maximum building height of the zoning district.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels of 3 acres or more, R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts, Metropolitan Bakersfield plan area.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    and shall not exceed the maximum building height permitted in the applicable zoning district.
  • No more than 35 feet high.
    Applies: Listed E and R districts: one detached garage in an interior lot required front yard, front half sloping over 1 foot in 4 feet.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    and further provided that no such building shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 600 square feet combined.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels under ¼ acre in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of six hundred (600) square feet.
  • No more than 1,000 square feet combined, or the main home's square footage, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels between ¼ and ½ acre in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of one thousand (1,000) square feet, or the square footage equivalent of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater
  • No more than 3,600 square feet combined, or twice the main home's square footage, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels over ½ acre and under 3 acres, R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts, Metropolitan Bakersfield plan area.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of three thousand six hundred (3,600) square feet or twice the square footage equivalent of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater
  • No more than 5,000 square feet combined, or 3 times the main home's square footage, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on residential parcels of 3 acres or more, R-1, R-2, R-3 and E districts, Metropolitan Bakersfield plan area.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    detached accessory buildings shall not exceed a combined total of five thousand (5,000) square feet or three (3) times the equivalent square footage of the principal dwelling, whichever is greater
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the side or front property line.
    Applies: Listed E and R districts: one detached garage in an interior lot required front yard, front half sloping over 1 foot in 4 feet.
    § 19.08.180 · code text
    provided, however, that no portion of any such building shall be less than five (5) feet from the side or front property line of the lot

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Kern County?

Residential parcels under ¼ acre: detached accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft combined and the main home's height.

General information, not legal advice.

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Kern County Municipal Code — full text