Bolthole Index

Kern County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in McFarland, California

The City of McFarland, California adopts its own zoning in Title 17 of its municipal code1 and has its own Title 15 Buildings and Construction chapter2. Inside city limits, the city's planning and building offices are the first call, not Kern County's3. We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside the city, so ask Kern County Environmental Health before planning any septic system4.

At a glance

Zoning
City of McFarland zoning (Title 17) inside city limits1
Building permit
City has its own Title 15 building chapter and publishes a building permit application; confirm details with the city25
Septic
Kern County Environmental Health regulates septic in unincorporated Kern County; coverage inside McFarland not confirmed4
RV living
Temporary only in R-1 through R-4; a building permit for a conventional home is required first6
Tiny home
Must qualify as a recognized structure type under state rules; no McFarland tiny-home provision confirmed7
Manufactured home
Allowed in R-1 through R-4 if it meets age, width, foundation and roof conditions8
Accessory dwelling unit
City has an ADU ordinance consistent with state law5

Who to call

Zoning

City of McFarland, Planning and Development

Zoning questions, land-use and development applications, floodplain questions and planning commission matters inside McFarland city limits

661-792-3091

401 W. Kern Avenue, McFarland, CA 93250

Building permits

City of McFarland, Building and Renovating (Building Division)

Building permit application and fee schedule for work inside McFarland city limits, including accessory dwelling units

661-792-3091

401 W. Kern Avenue, McFarland, CA 93250

Septic permits

Kern County Public Health Services Department, Environmental Health Division

Septic (onsite wastewater) permits for unincorporated Kern County; ask whether the division also handles addresses inside McFarland city

(661) 321-3000

1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue Bakersfield

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

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

Yes. The City of McFarland adopts its own Title 17 Zoning for land inside city limits, with R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-1-5, M-P and other zones1. Uses allowed in the R-1 zone are also allowed in the R-2, R-3 and R-4 districts1. We only reviewed part of the district chapters, so confirm your parcel's zone with the city planning department, which answers the question "what is the zoning of my property" by phone when you give the site address or assessor's parcel number9.

Lot size depends on the district. The R-1-5 district has a minimum lot area of 5,000 square feet, while R-3 and R-4 have a minimum of 6,000 square feet10. We could not confirm main-building setbacks, height limits or lot coverage for McFarland, so ask the planning department before you design. Kern County's setback tables apply only to unincorporated land, not to lots inside the city3.

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

McFarland has its own Title 15 Buildings and Construction chapter, and the city's code requires secondary units to be built to Title 15 and other codes the city adopts2. The city's Building and Renovating page publishes a building permit application and fee schedule5. We did not confirm the city's exemptions or fee amounts, so ask the Building Division what your project needs before you start.

The California Building Standards Code that took effect on January 1, 2026 applies to permit applications filed on or after that date11. The state's owner-builder exemption covers contractor licensing only and does not waive building permits or inspections12. An owner-builder who signs a building permit application must pull all building permits and pass codes and building inspections13.

The Kern County Public Works Building Inspection Division serves unincorporated Kern County, so for a lot inside McFarland, start with the city3.

How do septic permits work inside McFarland, CA?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits or inspections inside McFarland city limits, or whether sewer service is available at a given lot. The Kern County Environmental Health Division regulates septic systems throughout unincorporated Kern County and also administers septic rules in various cities that have designated the County Health Officer for that purpose4. Call Environmental Health and the city to learn which applies to your address.

Where the county does permit a system, the permit must come from Environmental Health, and permits are issued only where a sanitary sewer is not available within 200 feet of the structure14. A septic system is also not allowed where soil, topography or high groundwater make it unsuitable14. About 19.3% of Kern County soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so many sites need a site evaluation or an engineered system15.

California well permits come from the local environmental health agency or local water district before you drill16.

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

RV: In McFarland's R-1 zone, and in R-2, R-3 and R-4, a trailer or RV used as a dwelling is limited to 90 days in any one-year period6. A separate city property-maintenance rule makes living in an RV unlawful unless a building permit for a conventional single-family residence is obtained first or at the same time, and the RV must leave six months after installation or seven days after the home is approved for occupancy6. We found no city rule on camping on private land; the camping provision we found covers parks and public property17.

Manufactured home: Allowed in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 if the home is certified under the federal manufactured housing act, sits on a permanent foundation, is no older than 10 years at application, is more than 16 feet wide, and has a minimum 3:12 roof pitch and conventional shingles8.

Tiny home: California requires a tiny home to be approved as a manufactured home, a Residential Code home, factory-built housing, an RV, a park trailer or a camping cabin; otherwise occupying it is illegal7. We found no tiny-home provision in McFarland's code, so ask the planning department.

ADU: The city says its ADU ordinance is consistent with state law5, and state law requires ministerial approval without a hearing18. McFarland's older secondary-unit section required a conditional use permit and a lot of at least 7,500 square feet, and it may be superseded by state law19.

Building a home in McFarland, CA: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the city planning department which zone your parcel is in and whether it lies in the floodplain9.
  2. Check the flood rules: in flood zone AH, a manufactured home must sit on a permanent foundation at or above base flood elevation, and an RV there must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days unless permitted and elevated20.
  3. File the city's planning application if your project needs one, then the building permit application with the Building Division5.
  4. Call Kern County Environmental Health about septic and your well, and confirm sewer availability with the city4.
  5. If the driveway meets a state highway, apply for a Caltrans encroachment permit21.
  6. Pass the required building inspections before occupancy13.

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

Kern County's own zoning layer excludes incorporated cities, so county zoning and building rules cover only land outside McFarland22. Land just outside the city follows the county's rules; see the Kern County page for those. Septic and wells are the main items that may stay with the county health office4.

Before you buy, check flood status with the city, sewer availability, and the zone. County-level figures for context: Kern County's effective property tax rate is 0.9%23, the typical home value is $366,23824, and annual precipitation averages 8.9 inches25. Typical home insurance runs about $1,203 a year in the county26.

Watch-outs

  • Inside McFarland, city rules apply, not Kern County's unincorporated-area rules for RVs, mobile homes and setbacks3.
  • We could not confirm McFarland's permit exemptions, fee amounts, setbacks, height limits or who regulates septic inside the city; ask the city Building Division and Kern County Environmental Health4.
  • The city's older secondary-unit section dates to a 1993 ordinance and may be superseded by state ADU law, so confirm current ADU standards with the planning department19.

Sources

  1. McFarland Code 17.12.020 - R-1 Zone uses permitted (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  2. McFarland Code 17.12.090 - Secondary units (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  3. Commercial Zoning Layer - Kern County GIS, quoted and re-checked
  4. Local Agency Management Program for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Kern County, California, quoted and re-checked
  5. City of McFarland, Building and Renovating (Building Division) (mcfarlandcity.org)
  6. McFarland Code 17.12.020 - R-1 Zone uses permitted (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  7. Information Bulletin 2016-01: Tiny Homes (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. McFarland Code 17.12.020 - R-1 Zone uses permitted (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of McFarland, Planning and Development (mcfarlandcity.org)
  10. McFarland Code 17.16.040 - Lot area (R-1-5) (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  11. Approved Building Standards (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. California Business and Professions Code section 7044, quoted and re-checked
  13. Owner-Builder Responsibilities (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Kern County Onsite Systems Manual, quoted and re-checked
  15. 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
  16. Well Standards (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. McFarland Code 9.20.030 - Camping in parks prohibited (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  18. Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook March 2026 (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. McFarland Code 17.12.090 - Secondary units (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  20. McFarland Code 15.12.200 - Standards for manufactured homes (floodplain) (McFarland), quoted and re-checked
  21. Encroachment Permits | Caltrans (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Planning Documents - Kern County Planning & Natural Resources Dept., quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  25. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Typical home insurance premium: 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 McFarland

McFarland’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction inside McFarland city; the city has a Title 15 Buildings and Construction

    • Specific adopted code editions were not reviewed.
    “the secondary residential unit shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of title 15 of the mcfarland municipal code and other codes as adopted by the city”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside McFarland city limits; the city adopts its own Title 17 Zoning (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-1-5, M-P and other zones)

    “Any uses allowed in the R-1 zone are allowed in the R-2, R-3 and R-4 zoning districts.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts in McFarland city; only some district chapters were reviewed

    • Code text names R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-1-5, M-P, E, A-1 and R-R zones; the zoning map and every district chapter were not reviewed.
    “Any uses allowed in the R-1 zone are allowed in the R-2, R-3 and R-4 zoning districts.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum lot area by district inside McFarland city: R-1-5 5,000 sq ft; R-3 6,000 sq ft (1,500 per unit); R-4 6,000 sq ft (1,000 per unit)

    • Lots recorded below the minimum when the ordinance passed may hold one dwelling per 1,500 sq ft (R-3) or 1,000 sq ft (R-4).
    • R-1, R-2, E, A-1 and R-R minimums not reviewed.

    R-1-5 minimum lot area: >= 5000 sq ft · R-3 minimum lot area: >= 6000 sq ft · R-4 minimum lot area: >= 6000 sq ft

    “the minimum lot area shall be six thousand square feet. the minimum lot area per dwelling unit shall be fifteen hundred square feet.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Trailers/RVs used as dwellings in the R-1 zone (and R-2, R-3, R-4) inside McFarland city

    • Separate property-maintenance rule: living in an RV is unlawful unless a building permit for a conventional single-family residence is obtained first or concurrently, and the RV is removed after six months or seven days after the dwelling is approved for occupancy, or if the permit lapses.

    temporary dwelling limit: <= 90 days per year (in any one-year period)

    “a mobilehome or recreational vehicle is to be removed from the premises or placed in dead storage when: a. six months have passed since the mobilehome or recreational vehicle was installed.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping inside McFarland city; the provision found covers city parks and recreation facilities and public property, not private land

    • Camping may be permitted in parks in conjunction with city-sponsored events.
    • Private-land camping rules not found; see RV temporary-dwelling limits.
    “d. camping may be permitted in park and recreation facilities in conjunction with any city sponsored and approved event.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes on lots in the R-1 zone (also allowed in R-2, R-3, R-4) inside McFarland city

    • Certified under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Act of 1974
    • Installed on a permanent foundation per Health and Safety Code 18551
    • No older than ten years at application
    • Width greater than sixteen feet
    • Minimum 3:12 roof pitch, conventional shingles, one-foot eave, nonreflective siding to ground level

    maximum age: <= 10 years · minimum width: > 16 feet

    “m. manufactured homes shall be permitted provided that the proposed manufactured home complies with the following requirements:”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Secondary residential units in R-1, E and A-1 zones inside McFarland city (section 17.12.090, 1993 ordinance; may be superseded by state ADU law)

    • Conditional use permit approved by planning commission and city council
    • Lot at least 7,500 net sq ft; principal dwelling at least 1,100 sq ft and owner-occupied
    • One unit per lot; unit max 900 sq ft or 50% of principal dwelling, whichever greater; min 640 sq ft
    • Approved by the Kern County director of health
    • Mobile homes not allowed as secondary units

    minimum lot area: >= 7500 sq ft · minimum unit size: >= 640 sq ft

    “e. secondary residential unit plot plan review and approval. no secondary residential unit may be established until an application for a conditional use permit (cup) has been submitted to and approved by the planning commission and city council.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in zone AH on the flood insurance rate map inside McFarland city (Chapter 15.12 Floodplain Management)

    • Manufactured homes must be elevated on a permanent foundation to or above base flood elevation.
    • RVs in zone AH must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days and ready for highway use, or meet permit and elevation requirements.
    • Elevation certification by engineer or surveyor, verified by building inspector, provided to floodplain administrator.

    RV site duration in zone AH: < 180 consecutive days (unless permitted and elevated)

    “shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is 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 McFarland or Kern County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits inside McFarland city
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder rules inside McFarland city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside McFarland city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside McFarland city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in R-1 and other districts inside McFarland city
15 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • 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 McFarland publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kern County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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