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Our Mission...
We are committed to improving the quality of life by safeguarding our community through education,
cooperation, and fair application of health and safety standards. We take pride in our customer service,
integrity, professionalism and ability to understand and meet the needs of our community.
(more info...)
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Food and Consumer Protection Program
The Food Program serves in the best interest of the public by assuring that all food is safe for people to eat.
The Food Program uses the California Retail Food Code, and other state laws to enforce food
safety and construction requirements in all retail food facilities.
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Mobile Food Facility & Application Forms
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Food Service Rebates
Restaurants & Markets
Temporary Food Facilities & Community Events
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More Information
Food Safety Related Links
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Hazardous Materials (CUPA)
The Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) was developed to consolidate the administration of six specific state hazardous
materials programs under one agency. The CUPA for the County of Kern is the Environmental Health Services Department.
The CUPA for the city of Bakersfield is the Bakersfield Fire Department. Under CUPA, site inspections of
these hazardous materials programs (above ground storage tanks, underground storage tanks, hazardous waste
treatment, hazardous waste generators, hazardous materials management and response plans, and the Uniform Fire Code)
are consolidated and accomplished by a single inspection. These departments also provide emergency response
to hazardous materials events, performing health and environmental risk assessment and substance identification.
For Hazardous Materials Emergency, call Fire Dispatch at 661-861-2521.
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Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP)
California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP)
Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST)
Hazardous Waste Generator & Tiered Treatment of Hazardous Waste
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More Information
CUPA Related Links
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Housing
This program assures compliance with the requirements for sanitation, maintenance, occupancy, use and ventilation in
hotels and motels, detention facilities and employee housing. These facilities are inspected to ensure safe and healthful
shelter for Kern County residents and visitors. In addition, this program performs environmental evaluations of the housing
environment of each child who is identified through blood testing as being lead poisoned. These investigations seek to uncover
the sources of the lead so the hazards can be eliminated.
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Motels
Employee Housing
Detention Facilities
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Mold
More Information
Housing Program Related Links
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Land Development
The Land Development program reviews new and tentative land uses for proposed water supply, sewage disposal methods and preservation
of environmental quality. Staff work closely with the Planning Department in the review of applications for zone changes, adjustments,
conditional use permits and precise development plans; review of proposed general and specific plans, negative declarations, and draft
environmental impact reports. This program also serves as a technical resource regarding noise pollution and permits and inspects biosolids
application sites.
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Individual Sewage Disposal Systems
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More Information
Land Development Related Links
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Medical Waste
The Kern County Environmental Health Services Department, Medical Waste Program is a sub-division of the Solid Waste Program. This sub-program implements the California Health and Safety Code, Sections 117600-118360, also known as the Medical Waste Management Act, and oversees the registration and inspection of those medical waste generators required to hold a Kern County Environmental Health Permit. The Medical Waste Program also responds to and investigates complaints involving the improper treatment and/or disposal of medical waste.
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Body Art
The Body Art Program oversees the registration of body art practitioners, the inspection of
facilities which are utilized for tattooing, body piercing and the application of permanent cosmetics,
and investigations of complaints.
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Body Art Application
Temporary Event Forms
Facility Forms
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Tattooing, Body Piercing & Permanent Cosmetics
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More Information
Body Art Related Links
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Solid Waste
The Solid Waste program oversees the handling, processing, and disposal of non-hazardous solid wastes to
safeguard public health. Solid Waste facilities include sanitary landfills, transfer stations,
composting facilities, and non-hazardous contaminated soil facilities. We also regulate septic
pumping businesses, toilet rental agencies and refuse haulers. The Solid Waste Program also
regulates businesses that generate waste tires and tire haulers.
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Septic Pumpers, Grease Pumpers & Toilet Rental Agencies
Solid Waste Facilities
Refuse Haulers
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More Information
Solid Waste Related Links
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Swimming Pools
The Public Swimming Pool Program is responsible for the inspection of all public swimming pools,
spa pools and special purpose pools in Kern County, to ensure they are built, maintained and
operated in compliance with state and local laws.
The Public Swimming Pool Program conducts plan reviews and approvals of all public pools prior
to their construction, alteration or renovation. All plans are reviewed to ensure compliance
with appropriate state and local laws and regulations.
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More Information
Public Swimming Pools and Spas Related Links
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Tobacco Retailer Program
The County of Kern recently passed a Tobacco Retailer’s Permit Ordinance requiring all merchants,
located in the unincorporated area of the county and incorporated cities that have adopted the ordinance,
who sell tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco paraphernalia to obtain and maintain a valid Tobacco Retailer’s
Permit issued by the Kern County Environmental Health Services Department.
The intent of this ordinance is to encourage responsible tobacco retailing and to discourage the violations
of federal, state and local tobacco laws, especially those laws that forbid the sale and distribution of
tobacco products to minors. The Kern County Environmental Health Services Department is the lead agency
and is responsible for the administration, oversight, and enforcement of this new ordinance.
The permit requirement is in addition to the existing State of California tobacco retailing license,
regular city business license and Environmental Health Permit.
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| How Do I Apply? |
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Prior to acceptance of the Environmental Health Services Health Permit Application, the applicant must complete a training program in the laws relating to the sale of tobacco products in California as provided by or approved by the County’s Public Health Services Department. Training Schedule
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To apply, fill out the Tobacco Retailer’s Permit Application that includes the County’s Public Health Services Department verification of training and submit it in person with the $165.00 permit fee to:
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Kern County Environmental Health Services Department
2700 “M” Street, Counter 10
Bakersfield, California
(661) 862-8700
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Q: When did the ordinance went into effect?
A: The ordinance went into effect July 1, 2007.
Q: What does the $165 permit fee cover?
A: The fee covers the cost of program administration, oversight, inspection, and enforcement.
Q: Does the Tobacco Retail License need to be posted?
A: Yes. Each tobacco retailer license shall be prominently displayed in a publicly visible location.
Q: Does the Tobacco Retail License expire?
A: Yes. The term of a tobacco retailer license is one year beginning each year on July 1 and ending on June 30 of the following year. Renewal of your license should be done in a timely manner to avoid penalties and administrative action.
Q: What are the penalties?
A: If payment is not received by July 31, a 50% reinstatement fee will be added to the $165 fee.
Q: What if I have additional questions?
A: If you would like additional information, please contact Diana Wilson at (661) 862-8734
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Vector Control
The Vector Control Program provides for the surveillance, mitigation and educational outreach regarding
animals that are capable of transmitting diseases to humans, which includes involvement with seasonal
plague surveillance and response to ongoing and emerging vectors.
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Vector Control Program Information
Zoonotic Diseases - Animal & Insect Vectors
The Vector Control Program is involved with the prevention and control of vector (insect and animal) borne diseases through education and enforcement. Diseases which are spread from insects and animals to man, known as zoonotic diseases, are of primary concern.
Zoonotic diseases
include but are not limited to:
Cat Scratch Fever,
Colorado Tick Fever,
Giardia,
Hanta Virus,
Lyme Disease,
Plague,
Q Fever,
Rabies,
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,
Salmonella,
Tick Relapsing Fever,
Tularemia,
Typhus,
Western Equine Encephalitis, and
West Nile Virus.
The Kern County Environmental Health Services Department Solid Waste and Vector Control Programs
work co-operatively with the California Department of Health Services Vector-borne Disease Branch,
local government agencies and mosquito abatement/vector control districts to safeguard the general
public and combat the spread of vector borne diseases within Kern County.
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Concentrated Animal Feedlot Information (CAFO)
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Vector Control Program Related Links
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Water Wells & Small Water Systems
The Water Well & Small Water System Programs ensure the public receives water that is safe to drink and
the quantity supplied is adequate to meet the community’s needs. The Water Well Program issues permits
to construct, reconstruct and destroy water wells. The Small Water System Program is involved with the
permitting, inspection, and monitoring of small public water systems and the evaluation of the
construction and water quality of existing water wells (Water Supply Certificate). The Cross Connection
Program ensures that all backflow prevention assemblies are tested on a routine basis to maintain
the safety and integrity of the water supply.
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Water Wells and Systems Forms
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Water Wells & Small Water System Information
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More Information
Water Safety Links
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Kern County, California
Environmental Health Form Privacy Notice
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"The information collected on the Environmental Health Complaint Form is primarily used by Environmental Health to investigate the situation reported and to follow-up as necessary. The information may be retained indefinitely in Environmental Health's computer database or may be immediately deleted if the information is incorrect or inappropriate. If any of the information you provide becomes inaccurate for any reason, you are requested to directly contact the Environmental Health office to request changes. The information collected on the Environmental Health Complaint Form is exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act (Gov't. Code section 6254) and will not be released absent court order."
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I Agree and I Want To Submit An Environmental Health Complaint Form
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