Kern County, California wind ordinance
Wind: 600 ft maximum height. Every figure is quoted from the county's ordinance, read September 30, 2026.
Updated September 2026
Wind rules
7 figures read from the county's ordinance, each with the sentence it comes from.
| Rule and what the ordinance says | Requirement |
|---|---|
Setback from public access easementA minimum wind generator setback of one (1) times the overall machine height shall be maintained from any public access easement or railroad right-of-way. | 1 × height |
Setback from railroad right-of-wayA minimum wind generator setback of one (1) times the overall machine height shall be maintained from any public access easement or railroad right-of-way. | 1 × height |
Setback from public trail, pedestrian easement, or equestrian easementA minimum wind generator setback of one hundred fifty (150) feet shall be maintained from the outermost extension of any blade to any public trail, pedestrian easement, or equestrian easement. | 150 ft |
Maximum heightWind generator machine and associated meteorological tower overall height shall not exceed six hundred (600) feet | 600 ft |
Fence heightWind project facilities shall be enclosed with a minimum four- (4-) foot-high security fence | 4 ft |
Noise limitfor more than five (5) minutes out of any one- (1-) hour time periodAudible noise due to wind turbine operations shall not be created which causes the exterior noise level to exceed forty-five (45) dBA for more than five (5) minutes out of any one- (1-) hour time period | 45 dBA |
Noise limitfor any period of time when measured within fifty (50) feet of any existing residence, school, hospital, church, or public libraryor to exceed fifty (50) dBA for any period of time when measured within fifty (50) feet of any existing residence, school, hospital, church, or public library. | 50 dBA |
Source: Kern County ordinance (PDF), read September 30, 2026. Check the cited section with the county before relying on a figure.
California state law
State law can cap or override county rules. All California rules and counties.
State siting: California Energy Commission (Opt-In Certification Program)
A developer of solar or wind of 50 MW or more, or storage of 200 MWh or more, may choose state certification from the Energy Commission instead of county permits, applying by June 30, 2030; otherwise county rules apply.
Pub. Resources Code 25545, 25545.1 (AB 205, 2022). Source
Limits on local rules
If the developer opts in, the state certificate replaces local permits and overrides local ordinances; otherwise county rules apply.
Pub. Resources Code 25545.1(b). Source
Every California figure in one spreadsheet
33 figures from 9 counties, each with its quote, source, date read and any condition. 5 of those places are not on this site. Plus California state law.
How these figures were read
We found Kern County's own ordinance and had two AI models read it separately. A figure is shown only when both read the same number and the sentence it comes from was found in the document. Moratoria and bans are checked against the adopting document. Ordinances change and many figures apply only in some cases, so check the cited section with the county before relying on one.