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Kern County · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Kern County

Kern County's own rules on running a business from home, with the code text for every value.

Ask about running a business from home in Kern County See coverage

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
Permit
  • A home occupation permit approved by the planning director is required.
    Applies: Before any home business starts.
    § 19.94.050 · code text
    No home occupation shall be established until an application for a home occupation permit has been submitted to and approved by the planning director as consistent with the requirements of this chapter in accordance with the procedures set out in Sections 19.102.040 through 19.102.060 of this title.
Businesses not allowed
  • antique shop
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    A. Antique shop;
  • barbershop or beauty parlor, except pursuant to Section 19.94.020(D)
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    B. Barbershop or beauty parlor, except pursuant to Section 19.94.020(D);
  • funeral chapel or funeral home
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    C. Funeral chapel or funeral home;
  • gift shop
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    D. Gift shop;
  • medical or dental clinic or hospital, or chiropractic office
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    E. Medical or dental clinic or hospital, or chiropractic office;
  • renting of trailers, autos, trucks and motorcycles
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    F. Renting of trailers, autos, trucks and motorcycles;
  • restaurant or catering business
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    G. Restaurant or catering business;
  • stable or kennel
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    H. Stable or kennel;
  • taxi service
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    I. Taxi service;
  • towing service
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    J. Towing service;
  • veterinary clinic or hospital
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    K. Veterinary clinic or hospital;
  • car repair or small engine repair
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    L. Car repair or small engine repair;
  • cabinet making
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    M. Cabinet making;
  • appliance repair
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    N. Appliance repair;
  • upholsterer, auto or furniture
    § 19.94.030 · code text
    O. Upholsterer, auto or furniture.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Kern County?

Kern County's code: A home occupation permit approved by the planning director is required. (Before any home business starts.) (§ 19.94.050); antique shop (§ 19.94.030).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Kern County property

Ask GoCodebook how Kern County's running a business from home rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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