Bakersfield restricts livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs) to estate (E), agricultural (A), and certain large-lot residential zones under BMC Title 17. Standard residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) do not permit livestock. Kern County agricultural land surrounding Bakersfield allows extensive livestock operations under county zoning. Urban slaughter is prohibited.
BMC Title 17 zoning determines where livestock can be kept within Bakersfield city limits. Estate and agricultural zones typically require minimum parcel sizes — horses often need at least 1 acre per animal, cattle require larger acreage, and dairies or feed operations require specific agricultural zoning. Pigs are particularly restricted due to odor and nuisance potential. Within city limits, livestock must be kept in structures set back from property lines (typically 50+ feet from neighboring dwellings) with manure management to prevent odor, flies, and runoff. Kern County outside Bakersfield is major agricultural territory with extensive cattle ranching, dairies, and feedlots governed by Kern County Planning. 4-H and FFA youth projects may be permitted with special authorization in some residential zones. Commercial slaughter is prohibited in residential zones; animals raised for personal meat consumption must be processed at licensed facilities.
Keeping livestock in residential zones violates BMC Title 17 and can result in orders to remove animals plus administrative citations. Manure accumulation, odor, and flies create public nuisances subject to abatement. Animal welfare violations (inadequate food, water, shelter) are prosecuted under California Penal Code §597 by Kern County Animal Services. Unlicensed slaughter operations face significant penalties. Continued violations can escalate to misdemeanor charges.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 9.22 prohibits any loud, unnecessary noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, or that causes discomfort...
Bakersfield, CA
Aircraft noise over Bakersfield, including operations at Meadows Field (BFL) and Bakersfield Municipal Airport (L45), is governed almost entirely by federal ...
Bakersfield, CA
Industrial noise in Bakersfield is strictly regulated under BMC Chapter 9.22, which sets zone-based exterior decibel limits and prohibits industrial properti...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not ban gas-powered leaf blowers citywide, but their use is constrained by the Bakersfield Municipal Code noise chapter and San Joaquin Vall...
Bakersfield, CA
Amplified music in Bakersfield is regulated under Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 9.22, which makes it unlawful to play a radio, stereo, musical instrumen...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 9.22 sets numeric decibel limits that vary by the zoning of the receiving property and the time of day. Typical limits are...
See how Bakersfield's livestock rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.