Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Kern County adopted the California Building Standards Code.

The County amended some of the State Codes.

Helpful resources for Kern County, California include the following.

• Jurisdiction's Information Page(s):
  • Kern county Building Inspections
• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for California

Residential Building Code

California adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control; however, local governments are free to make laws more strict (with some limitations).See PLRB, California Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Kern County adopted the 2012 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2022 California Residential Code (2021 IRC)(Kern County, CA 17.06.030 - California Residential Code—Adopted.)

...California Code of Regulations, Title 24 Part 2.5 being that portion of the 2022 edition of the California Building Standards Code, referred to as the California Residential Code, including Appendix Chapters AH, AQ, AX, and AZ and as modified and amended by this chapter, is adopted by this reference into the Kern County Residential Code. Additions...

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: Yes

Ice Barrier

Comments

Kern County adopted the 2013 California Residential Code. Kern County, Cal., Muni Code § 17.06.030. The County did not adopt Appendix Chapters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, J, L, M, N, O, P, and Q of the State Residential Code. Kern County, Cal., Muni Code § 17.06.040. In addition, the County did not adopt the following provisions of the California Residential Code: 

“Section 1.8.8 Appeals Board”, “Section R103 Department of Building Safety”, “Section R104 Duties and Powers of Building Official”, “Section R105.3.1.1 Determination of substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings in flood hazard areas”, “Section R105.3.2 Time limitation of application”, “Section R105.5 Expiration”, “Section R106.3.2 Previous approvals”, and “Section R112 Board of Appeals”.

Kern County, Cal., Muni Code § 17.06.040

Kern County amended the Geographic and Climatic Design Criteria of IRC Section R302.1 as follows:

Additional criteria shall be established by the local jurisdiction based on site specific information. Whenever reference is made to Table R301.2(1) by any section of this code, refer to other sections contained herein of this code for the required information, or contact the building official.

Kern County, Cal., Muni Code § 17.06.110

Commercial Building Code

Kern County adopted the 2012 IBC, statewide with limitations. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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2022 California Bldg. Code, Part 2 (2021 IBC)(Kern County, CA Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Comments

Kern County adopted the California Building Code. Kern County, Cal., Muni Code § 17.08.030. The County did not adopt Appendix Chapters A, B, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, and M. Kern County, Cal., Muni Code § 17.08.040. In addition, the County did not adopt the following provisions of the California Building Code:

“Section 101.4.4 Property maintenance”, “Section 103 Department of Building Safety”, “Section 104 Duties and Powers of Building Official”, “Section 105.3.2 Time limitation of application”, “Section 105.5 Expiration”, “Section 107.3.2 Previous approvals”, “Section 110.3.10.1 Flood hazard documentation”, and “Chapter 29 Plumbing Systems”. 

Kern County, Cal., Muni Code § 17.08.040.

Other Building Codes