Bolthole Index

Kern County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Ridgecrest, California

Ridgecrest, California (Kern County) has its own zoning code, Chapter 106 of the city code1, and its own building department takes permit applications by email2. Septic and well rules inside city limits were not confirmed; ask Kern County Environmental Health3. RVs on residential lots may be stored but not lived in4.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, city zoning in Chapter 106 of the city code1
Building permits
Issued by the City of Ridgecrest Building Department2
Septic
Not confirmed inside city limits; ask Kern County Environmental Health3
RV living
Not allowed on residential lots; storage only4
Minimum house size
480 sq ft of building area, at least 12 ft wide5
CEH minimum lot
2½ acres in the Country Estate District6
Owner-builder
California allows owners to build on their own property, with conditions7

Who to call

Building permits

City of Ridgecrest Building Department

Building permit applications, plan review and permit fees inside Ridgecrest city limits

760-499-5072

permits@ridgecrest-ca.gov

100 W California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555

Zoning

City of Ridgecrest Planning Division

The city's general plan and zoning ordinance, and review of development requests

760-499-5000

100 W California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555

Septic permits

Kern County Public Health Services Department — Environmental Health Division

Septic (onsite wastewater) permits for Kern County; ask whether a Ridgecrest address falls under this office

(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 Ridgecrest means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Ridgecrest, California have zoning?

Yes. Ridgecrest, a city in Kern County, adopts its own zoning in Chapter 106 of the city code, with residential districts such as R-1, RMH and CEH1. The City of Ridgecrest Planning Division maintains the zoning ordinance8.

A few rules that matter to a buyer:

  • Single-family dwellings in residential zones must have at least 480 square feet of building area and be at least 12 feet wide5.
  • The CEH Country Estate District requires a site of at least 2½ acres, with one dwelling unit per site6.
  • In CEH, side yards are at least 20 feet on each side of the main building9. Building height and coverage follow the R-1 district10; we could not confirm those R-1 figures, so ask the Planning Division.
  • Accessory dwelling units in CEH must meet section 106-37 of the city code11.
  • Mobilehomes as single-family dwellings are allowed in the RMH district only if listed criteria are met, such as skirting unless on a permanent foundation12.

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

Inside Ridgecrest city limits, the City of Ridgecrest Building Department takes building permit applications, by email to permits@ridgecrest-ca.gov, and answers questions about plan review and fees at 760-499-50722. Either the property owner or a licensed contractor may submit the application2.

California has adopted a statewide building code that applies to residential construction13, and an owner-builder who signs a building permit application still needs a permit14. We could not confirm the city's inspection steps, certificate of occupancy rules or fee schedule, so ask the Building Department.

The Kern County Building Inspection Division serves unincorporated land only; for a parcel outside city limits, use the Kern County page.

How do septic permits work in Ridgecrest?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits, or whether sewer connection is required, for addresses inside Ridgecrest city limits. In unincorporated Kern County, septic permits come from the Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division15. California requires a permit for new and replacement septic systems16.

Before buying, call Kern County Environmental Health at (661) 321-30003 and the City Building Department2 to learn whether the parcel is on city sewer or needs a septic system. Well permits were also not confirmed for city addresses; ask the same offices.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Ridgecrest?

Not in an RV on a residential lot. Ridgecrest allows RV parking on lots in residential zones for storage only, and the RV may not be used as a dwelling unit4. It may not be permanently connected to sewer, water or electricity, though temporary electrical connection for charging batteries is allowed4.

We found no tiny-home provision in the city code. California state law allows accessory dwelling units under state ADU law17; ask the Planning Division how that applies to a specific lot8.

Building a home in Ridgecrest: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside Ridgecrest city limits and find its zoning district with the Planning Division8.
  2. Check district standards: minimum dwelling size5, lot size and setbacks9.
  3. Ask Kern County Environmental Health, and the city, whether the lot uses sewer or septic3.
  4. Check flood hazard: new construction in flood hazard areas must have the lowest floor at or above base flood elevation18.
  5. Email the building permit application to the Building Department2.
  6. If the driveway meets a state highway, a Caltrans encroachment permit is required19.

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

Kern County's rules cover unincorporated land, not city lots; for land outside city limits, see the Kern County guide. Septic is the main county role, as described above15.

Kern County's farmland averages about $10,539 per acre20 and the county's effective property tax rate is 0.9%21. Annual precipitation is about 8.9 inches22.

Watch-outs

  • Do not rely on Kern County's unincorporated-area rules inside Ridgecrest; the city's own offices decide zoning and building permits there2.
  • We could not confirm the R-1 lot size, setbacks, height or coverage, so ask the Planning Division before assuming CEH figures apply23.
  • Septic, well, owner-builder and permit fee rules inside the city were not confirmed; call the City Building Department2.

Sources

  1. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-324. Dwellings in all residential zones (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Ridgecrest Building Department (ridgecrest-ca.gov)
  3. Kern County Public Health Services Department — Environmental Health Division (kernpublichealth.com)
  4. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-366. General provisions (off-street parking) (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  5. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-324. Dwellings in all residential zones (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  6. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-313. CEH Country Estate District; 2½-acre minimum (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  7. California Business and Professions Code Section 7044 (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Ridgecrest Planning Division (ridgecrest-ca.gov)
  9. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-313. CEH Country Estate District; 2½-acre minimum (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  10. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-313. CEH Country Estate District; 2½-acre minimum (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  11. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-313. CEH Country Estate District; 2½-acre minimum (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  12. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-323. RMH Residential Mobilehome District (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  13. California Health and Safety Code Section 17922 (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Owner-Builder Responsibilities (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Local Agency Management Program for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Kern County, California, quoted and re-checked
  16. 2023 OWTS Policy (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook March 2026 (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 103-9. Standards (flood damage prevention) (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked
  19. Encroachment Permits | Caltrans (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Ridgecrest Code Sec. 106-313. CEH Country Estate District; 2½-acre minimum (Ridgecrest), quoted and re-checked

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 Ridgecrest

Ridgecrest’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Ridgecrest city limits

    • Zoning is in Chapter 106 of the city code, with residential districts such as R-1, RMH and CEH.
    “Except as provided, dwellings, including mobilehomes, in any residential zones shall meet the requirements of the respective zone and the following:”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in all residential zones inside Ridgecrest city

    • Multiple-story dwellings must have a ground floor of at least 480 square feet.

    minimum building area: >= 480 sq ft · minimum width: >= 12 feet

    “Each single-family dwelling shall contain not less than 480 square feet of building area and shall be at least 12 feet wide.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    CEH Country Estate District inside Ridgecrest city (rural residential)

    • Minimum lot width is 220 feet and minimum depth is 300 feet.
    • Only one dwelling unit is allowed per site.
    • The R-1 lot size was not retrieved.

    minimum site area: >= 2.5 acres

    “The minimum site area shall be no less than 2½ acres.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    CEH Country Estate District inside Ridgecrest city

    • On a cul-de-sac or knuckle lot, the front setback is set by a line scribed between two points 40 feet behind the front property line, and it is never less than 30 feet.
    • Accessory structures may be in the required rear yard if they do not encroach on a utility easement.
    • R-1 setbacks were not retrieved.

    front yard: >= 40 feet (not less than 30 feet on a cul-de-sac or knuckle lot) · rear yard: >= 20 feet · side yard each side: >= 20 feet

    “The minimum side yard setback on each side of a main building shall not be less than 20 feet on either side.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    CEH district inside Ridgecrest city; coverage follows the R-1 district

    • The R-1 coverage figure was not retrieved.
    “Building height and coverage shall be as set forth in the R-1 district.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    CEH district inside Ridgecrest city; height follows the R-1 district

    • The R-1 height figure was not retrieved.
    “Building height and coverage shall be as set forth in the R-1 district.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    RVs parked on lots in residential zones inside Ridgecrest city

    • Parking is for storage only. The RV may not be used as a dwelling unit.
    • The RV may not be permanently connected to sewer, water or electricity. It may be connected to electricity temporarily for charging batteries and other purposes.
    • RVs must go in the side or rear yard where accessible, otherwise in the front setback area, and may not extend over the right-of-way.
    “Parking is permitted only for storage purposes and any camper, recreational vehicle, boat or boat trailer shall not be:”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobilehomes as single-family dwellings in the RMH district inside Ridgecrest city

    • Section 106-29 applies.
    • Unless on a permanent foundation, an opaque skirt must screen the area under the mobilehome.
    • Appliances other than heating or cooling equipment may not be installed outside the home or accessory structures.
    • Mobilehomes in other residential zones must meet that zone's requirements and section 106-324.
    “Mobilehomes used as single-family dwellings shall be permitted only if the following criteria are met:”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    CEH district inside Ridgecrest city

    • Accessory dwelling units must meet section 106-37, which was not retrieved.
    • The RMH district excludes accessory dwelling units.
    “Accessory dwelling units subject to the requirements of section 106-37.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in flood hazard areas inside Ridgecrest city

    • New construction and substantial improvements must have the lowest floor, including basement, at or above base flood elevation. Nonresidential structures may instead be floodproofed.
    • Manufactured homes must be anchored and elevated in the flood zones listed in the chapter.
    “New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Building permits inside Ridgecrest city
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Ridgecrest city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside Ridgecrest city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Ridgecrest city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Ridgecrest city
14 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

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 Ridgecrest publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kern County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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