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Taft department reports: building permits, new stores, police and fire activity
Summary
City staff reported increased building activity in 2023'024, including hundreds of permits, several large retail projects and rising new-business licenses; the police and Kern County fire representatives also gave monthly activity updates and summarized recent mutual-aid responses to major wildfires.
City staff told the Taft City Council on March 4 that building and economic activity has remained steady, with the city issuing several hundred permits across 2023 and 2024 and a number of commercial projects progressing toward opening.
Planning and building staff reported that in 2024 the city issued 258 permits with a total valuation of about $6,400,000; 93 of those permits were for residential solar installations. In 2023 the department issued 255 permits with a combined valuation of about $6,700,000, and the department recorded a 2023 high of 108 residential solar permits in one year. Staff said those years included permits for recent commercial work such as Tractor Supply, and that Apple Market (a grocery store adjacent to Tractor Supply) had received its final inspection and was expected to open soon.
Staff also noted local business-license activity: 56 new business licenses were issued in 2023 (33 outside, 23 inside city addresses) and 99 in 2024 (58 outside, 41 inside). Planning Director Mark Staples encouraged potential business owners to consult city staff before signing leases, citing building-code and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements that can affect retrofit costs and permitability.
On residential development, staff said Habitat for Humanity is building at 233 Calvin; a new single-family home and ADU were completed near South Eighth; another property on Warren is being replaced after fire damage; and a new single-family home with an ADU was permitted on a narrow lot at 117 North. Staff said there are generally three to five residential units developed each year and that the city is seeking a builder to finish the Sandy Creek Estates tract.
Police Chief provided February 2025 statistics: 71 total incidents, 370 calls for service, 701 officer-initiated contacts year-to-date, 41 total cases written, 47 misdemeanor arrests and 17 felony arrests for the month.
Kern County Fire reported February incidents and summarized a major mutual-aid deployment in late winter to the Palisades and Eden fires. County fire representative Carrie Wright said the department sent roughly 70 firefighters, 23 engines, hand crews, dozers and other equipment to the incidents and did not close any local fire stations during the deployments.
Council members praised volunteers and service clubs, and several members urged residents to participate in local economic development efforts. Staff said they attend industry site-selection conferences and expressed optimism that as rooftops increase in the market area, national and regional retailers may consider Taft for future investment.
No formal council action was required on the reports; staff said they would continue outreach to prospective builders and retailers and follow up on active commercial permits.
