Bolthole Index

Kern County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Delano, California

Delano, California sets its own zoning through the Delano Planning Department1, and building inside city limits follows the California Building Standards Code the city adopted2. Residential plans take 4-6 weeks to review3. We could not confirm which agency issues septic permits inside Delano, so ask Kern County Environmental Health before you plan a septic system.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes. The Delano Planning Department administers the city's zoning ordinance1
Building code
California Building Standards Code (2025 edition) adopted by the city2
Plan review
Residential projects need 2 sets of plans; review takes 4-6 weeks3
Septic permits
Not confirmed for land inside city limits; ask Kern County Environmental Health4
RV living
State rule: generally only in mobilehome or special occupancy parks unless a local ordinance allows it5
Manufactured homes
On a lot: at least 20 feet wide and 1,100 square feet6
Backyard units (ADU)
Allowed in residential zones with a building permit; up to 850 square feet7
Minimum lot, R-A district
108,900 square feet8

Who to call

Zoning

City of Delano Planning Department

Zoning ordinance, general plan, planning applications and zoning questions inside Delano city limits

(661) 721-3340

1015 11th Avenue, Delano, CA 93215

Online permits →

Building permits

City of Delano building permits and plan review

Building permits and plan check inside Delano city limits; the Building, Engineering and Planning departments review plans

Online permits →

Septic permits

Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division

Septic (onsite wastewater) permits and the county's septic program; ask this office whether it covers a specific address inside Delano

(661) 321-3000

1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield, CA

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Delano means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Delano have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The Delano Planning Department administers the city's own zoning ordinance, and the city publishes its residential districts: R-A (residential agricultural), R-1, R-2 and R-319. Inside city limits, the Delano ordinance applies, not Kern County's.

Minimum lot sizes differ sharply by district. In the R-A district, the minimum lot is 108,900 square feet for interior and corner lots alike8. In R-1 the minimum is 6,000 square feet for an interior lot and 6,500 for a corner lot10.

Minimum front yards also vary by district: 40 feet in R-A, 15 feet in R-1, and 20 feet in R-2 and R-311. We could not confirm Delano's minimum dwelling size, building height limits or lot coverage, so ask the Planning Department at (661) 721-334012.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Delano?

RV living: California's statewide rule says recreational vehicles generally may be occupied only in mobilehome parks or special occupancy parks, unless a local ordinance allows otherwise5. We did not find a Delano ordinance that allows living in an RV on a residential lot, so confirm with the Planning Department first12. Camping on sidewalks, streets, parks or any other public property inside Delano is prohibited13.

Tiny homes: California requires a tiny home to be approved as a manufactured home, a Residential or Building Code home, factory-built housing, an RV, a park trailer or a camping cabin to be occupied14. We could not confirm a separate Delano tiny-home rule.

Manufactured homes: on an individual lot in Delano, a manufactured home must be at least 20 feet wide and 1,100 square feet6.

Backyard units: Delano allows accessory dwelling units in residential zones, generally up to 850 square feet and a 4-foot side and rear setback when the unit is not converted from an existing structure7.

Do you need a building permit in Delano, and who issues it?

Building inside Delano city limits follows the California Building Standards Code, which the city adopted by reference (2025 edition)2. A building permit is expressly required for an accessory dwelling unit, a junior accessory dwelling unit or a garage conversion15. If you build as your own owner-builder, California says you must pull all building permits and pass inspections16.

The City of Delano reviews building plans: the Building, Engineering and Planning departments each review a submission, and the review takes 4-6 weeks317. Residential projects need 2 sets of plans, and the permit fee varies with square footage or valuation18.

The city's building rules apply inside Delano city limits. For land outside city limits, see the Kern County page.

How do septic permits work inside Delano?

California requires a permit for every new or replacement septic system, issued by the local city, county or special district agency19. In Kern County, the Environmental Health Division of the Public Health Services Department handles septic permits for unincorporated land, and it also administers septic rules in some incorporated cities that have designated the County Health Officer to enforce them20.

We could not confirm whether that arrangement covers Delano, or what Delano requires for a septic installation, replacement or inspection. Before you design anything, call Kern County Environmental Health at (661) 321-3000 and give them your parcel address4.

Soils matter too: only about 19.3% of Kern County soils are rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system21.

How do you build a home in Delano, step by step?

  1. Confirm the zoning district and lot standards with the Delano Planning Department at (661) 721-3340129.
  2. Ask the city about sewer and water service, then ask Kern County Environmental Health about septic and wells at (661) 321-3000 if the lot is not on city sewer or water4.
  3. Prepare plans to the California Building Standards Code the city adopted; residential submissions need 2 sets of plans23.
  4. Submit plans through the city, where Building, Engineering and Planning review them over 4-6 weeks317.
  5. Check whether the site falls in a special flood hazard area: new construction and substantial improvements there must meet the city's floodplain standards22.
  6. Pass the required building inspections before occupancy16.

What stays with Kern County, and what to check before you buy in Delano?

Land outside Delano city limits falls under Kern County's rules, not the city's; the Kern County page covers unincorporated parcels. Septic and well questions point to Kern County Environmental Health either way, so call before you close4.

Wells: California requires a permit from the local environmental health agency or water district before a well is built, modified or destroyed23.

Driveways onto a State highway need an encroachment permit from Caltrans24. We could not confirm a general city driveway permit rule, so ask Planning.

Flood: parts of Delano sit in special flood hazard areas, where a recreational vehicle must stay fewer than 180 consecutive days, be road-ready, or meet the floodplain permit rules25.

Taxes: Kern County's effective property tax rate is 0.9%, and the median property tax bill is $2,833 a year2627.

Watch-outs

  • Septic authority inside Delano city limits is unconfirmed; ask Kern County Environmental Health at (661) 321-3000 before you buy a lot that is not on city sewer4.
  • Delano's city rules do not apply to unincorporated Kern County land; check which side of the city line a parcel is on, and use the Delano Planning Department for zoning inside city limits112.
  • We could not confirm Delano's rules on owner-builder exemptions, minimum dwelling size, building height, lot coverage, short-term rentals or tiny-home occupancy, so verify each with the Planning Department before you commit12.

Sources

  1. Planning (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 14.03 - California Building Standards Code, §14.03.010 (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  3. cityofdelano.org (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  4. Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division (kernpublichealth.com)
  5. hcd.ca.gov (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. §20.10.160 - Manufactured housing (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  7. §20.11.200 - Accessory dwelling units (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 20.4 - Residential Districts, §20.4.30 (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 20.4 - Residential Districts, §20.4.30 (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 20.4 - Residential Districts, §20.4.30 (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  11. Chapter 20.4 - Residential Districts, §20.4.30 (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  12. City of Delano Planning Department (cityofdelano.org)
  13. §9.38.020 - Camping prohibited (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  14. Information Bulletin 2016-01: Tiny Homes (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. §20.11.200 - Accessory dwelling units (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  16. Owner-Builder Responsibilities (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. City of Delano building permits and plan review (cityofdelano.org)
  18. cityofdelano.org (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  19. 2023 OWTS Policy (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Local Agency Management Program for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Kern County, California (2026 county census)
  21. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  22. §14.60.240 - Anchoring (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  23. Well Standards (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Encroachment Permits | Caltrans (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. §14.60.300 - Standards for recreational vehicles (Delano), quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Delano

Delano’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction or modification of an ADU, JADU, or garage conversion inside Delano city limits.

    • The permit requirement is stated for ADUs, JADUs, and garage conversions.
    • The permit is required as set forth in the California Residential Code and other building standards adopted by the city.
    “A building permit shall be required for construction or modification of an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit or garage conversion as set forth in the California Residential Code and other building standards adopted by the city.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction inside Delano city limits.

    • The adopted code includes the California Building, Residential, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy, Existing Building, Green Building, Referenced Standards, and Fire Codes listed in the section.
    • The 2024 International Property Maintenance Code is also adopted by reference.
    • The section states that the Kern County Fire Code amendments apply to the California Fire Code.

    building standards edition: 2025 · property maintenance code edition: 2024

    “Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), also referred to as the California Building Standards Code, is hereby adopted by reference and incorporated as though fully set forth in this chapter.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New, relocating, remodeled, or renovated businesses inside Delano city limits.

    • The city Building Inspector and Kern County Fire inspect the property.
    • A Certificate of Occupancy is issued after the building passes inspections.
    “The city Building Inspector and Kern County Fire (see below) will visit the property and review the building to ensure that it is safe to open for business. After the building passes inspections, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued which will allow you to open for business.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Businesses opening or relocating inside Delano city limits.

    • An approved Tenant Occupancy Permit and Certificate of Occupancy are required before opening.
    • The city issues the Certificate of Occupancy after Building Inspector and Kern County Fire inspections.
    “Prior to opening for business - whether new or relocating - an approved Tenant Occupancy Permit and a Certificate of Occupancy are required.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Delano city limits.

    • The Delano Planning Department administers the Delano zoning ordinance.
    “The Planning Department exists to provide good planning techniques and practices in promoting quality development through proper zoning and land use laws, general plan updates, and effective building standards. [...] Administer the Delano zoning ordinance”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Residential zoning districts inside Delano city limits, including R-A, R-1, R-2, and R-3.

    • Table 4.A identifies uses permitted, conditionally permitted, or prohibited by district.
    • Table 4.B provides residential site-development standards by district.
    “Table 4.A also identifies, by zone district, those land uses and activities that are permitted, are permitted subject to an approved conditional use permit, or are prohibited.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles placed on sites within areas of special flood hazard in Delano city.

    • The RV must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days, or be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or meet the floodplain permit and manufactured-home elevation and anchoring requirements.
    • Ready for highway use means on wheels or jacking system, attached only by quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, with no permanently attached additions.

    maximum consecutive days under temporary option: < 180 days (The other listed alternatives remain available.)

    “All recreational vehicles placed on sites within area of special flood hazard will either: 1. Be on the site for fewer than one hundred eighty consecutive days; 2. Be fully licensed and ready for highway use - a recreational vehicle is ready for highway use if it is on its wheels or jacking system, is attached to the site only by quick disconnect type utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions, or 3. Meet the permit requirements of Section 14.60.130 through Section 14.60.220 of this chapter and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in Section 14.60.290 .”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping on public property inside Delano city limits.

    • The prohibition covers sidewalks, streets, alleys, lanes, public rights-of-way, parks, benches, other publicly owned property, and areas under bridges or viaducts.
    • Exceptions are specific authorization by the Code or a city-council exemption for a special event meeting the stated public-interest, notice, insurance, indemnification, date, and location conditions.
    “No person may occupy a campsite in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right of way, park, bench, or any other publicly-owned property or under any bridge or viaduct, unless (i) otherwise specifically authorized by this Code or (ii) upon city council resolution, the city council may exempt a special event from the prohibitions of this section, if the city council finds such exemption to be in the public interest and consistent with their goals and notices and in accordance with conditions imposed by the city council.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured, mobile, and modular homes installed on individual lots inside Delano city limits.

    • The lot must permit single-family detached housing.
    • The home must be permanently attached to a permanent foundation and comply with applicable building regulations.
    • A mobilehome must be certified under the National Mobilehome Construction and Safety Standards Act and documentation must be submitted for a building permit.
    • The home must be at least 20 feet wide and 1,100 square feet.
    • Compatibility, setbacks, parking, coverage, height, signs, architectural, roof, siding, and garage/porch requirements apply.
    • Homes not meeting installation and architectural requirements require a conditional use permit.

    minimum width: >= 20 feet · minimum area: >= 1100 square feet

    “the manufactured home is no less than twenty feet wide and no less than one thousand one hundred square feet in area.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    ADUs and JADUs inside Delano city limits.

    • The lot must be in a residential zoning district.
    • A building permit is required.
    • Attached and detached ADUs are generally limited to 850 square feet, or 1,000 square feet when more than one bedroom is included.
    • A detached ADU may not exceed 16 feet or the primary dwelling's height, whichever is greater.
    • A four-foot side and rear setback applies when not converted from an existing structure; no minimum lot area or lot size may be imposed for ADU approval.
    • Parking and other listed exceptions apply.

    attached or detached ADU maximum area: <= 850 square feet (1,000 square feet if the ADU includes more than one bedroom) · detached ADU maximum height: <= 16 feet (or the height of the primary dwelling, whichever is greater) · minimum side and rear setback for non-converted ADU: 4 feet (No setback is required in the existing-structure or same-location exception.)

    “The lot or parcel shall be located in a residential zoning district.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision development and subdivision sanitary-sewer infrastructure inside Delano city limits.

    • The City of Delano Subdivision Standards were approved by City Council on February 18, 2025 by Resolution No. 2025-10.
    • The standards cover traffic control, sanitary sewers, water systems, drainage, and streets.
    “The City of Delano Subdivision Standards was approved by City Council on February 18, 2025 by Resolution No. 2025-10.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements in Delano areas subject to the special flood hazard provisions.

    • New construction and substantial improvements must be adequately anchored against flotation, collapse, and lateral movement from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including buoyancy.
    • Manufactured homes have additional elevation and anchoring requirements under §14.60.290.
    • Recreational vehicles in special flood hazard areas must satisfy one of the alternatives in §14.60.300.
    “All new construction and substantial improvements shall be adequately anchored to prevent flotation, collapse or lateral movement of the structure resulting from hydrodynamic and hydrostatic loads, including the effects of buoyancy.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permits inside Delano city limits.

    • The City states that building-permit cost varies according to square footage or valuation.
    • The City FAQ separately states that a plan-check fee is required when plans are submitted.
    “How much does a building permit cost? Cost varies upon square footage or valuation.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Residential and commercial building-plan submissions inside Delano city limits.

    • Residential projects require two sets of building plans, including floor plans and elevations with dimensions, plus a site plan showing distances from property lines.
    • Commercial projects require five sets of building plans and two sets of structural calculations or Title 24.
    • A plan-check fee is required upon submittal.
    • The City states plan approval takes four to six weeks and involves Building, Engineering, and Planning.

    residential plan sets: 2 sets · commercial plan sets: 5 sets · estimated review time: 4-6 weeks

    “Four to Six weeks. There are three departments that review the plans - Building, Engineering, and Planning.”

Rules another office applies inside Delano

Delano does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts inside Delano city limits.

    • Table 4.B distinguishes interior and corner lots.

    R-1 minimum lot area, interior: 6000 square feet net area · R-1 minimum lot area, corner: 6500 square feet net area · R-2 minimum lot area, interior: 9000 square feet net area · R-2 minimum lot area, corner: 9500 square feet net area · R-3 minimum lot area, interior: 12000 square feet net area · R-3 minimum lot area, corner: 12500 square feet net area

    “minimum lot area (net area in sq ft) a. b. interior corner 108,900 108,900 6,000 6,500 9,000 9,500 12,000 12,500”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-A residential agricultural district inside Delano city limits.
      “table 4.b residential site development standards R-A R-1 R-2 R-3 1. minimum lot area (net area in sq ft) a. b. interior corner 108,900 108,900 6,000 6,500 9,000 9,500 12,000 12,500”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    R-A, R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts inside Delano city limits.

    • Table 4.B distinguishes straight-street lots, cul-de-sac or knuckle lots, corner lots, reverse-corner lots, one-story structures, portions exceeding one story, and accessory dwelling units.
    • The fetched excerpt continues beyond the displayed rear-yard rows.

    minimum front yard, R-A: 40 feet (The table lists 40 feet for both straight-street and cul-de-sac/knuckle lots.) · minimum front yard, R-1: 15 feet (20 feet appears in parentheses for the listed cul-de-sac/knuckle condition.) · minimum front yard, R-2: 20 feet (The table lists 20 feet for both displayed front-yard conditions.) · minimum front yard, R-3: 20 feet (The table lists 20 feet for both displayed front-yard conditions.)

    “4. minimum front yard setback (note 8) a. b. lot adjacent to a straight street cul-de-sac lot or knuckle lot 40' 40' 15' (20') 15' (20') 20' 20' 20' 20'”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Delano or Kern County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Delano city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Delano residential districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Delano city limits.
  • Building height — Building height inside Delano city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Delano city limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Delano publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kern County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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