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 6.04.230 prohibits keeping any animal, bird, or fowl that by sound or cry unreasonably disturbs the peace or interferes with the c...
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
Bakersfield does not generally ban overnight street parking, but BMC 10.40.010 makes it unlawful for any vehicle (operable or not) to remain parked on a publ...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not restrict year-round lawn ornaments (statues, gnomes, flamingos, religious figures, sports themes) on residential property. There is no p...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not regulate residential inflatable holiday displays by size, lighting, or motor noise. They qualify as seasonal decorations exempt under BM...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield's outdoor lighting standards exempt seasonal decorations as long as they are not in use for more than 60 consecutive days. Residential lots zoned...
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.