Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 6 caps the number of dogs and cats kept at one residence, with kennel or cattery permits required above the limit. Single-family lots commonly allow up to four dogs without special review.
Bakersfield typically limits a single-family residence to four dogs and a similar small number of cats, with additional animals requiring a kennel permit or special-use review through the planning department. Apartment and multi-family unit limits are stricter. Owners exceeding the limit must apply for a kennel or cattery permit, which involves zoning compatibility, neighbor notice, and inspection by Bakersfield Animal Care to confirm humane housing, sanitation, and noise control. Service and assistance animals do not count toward the cap under federal Fair Housing protections.
Keeping more pets than allowed without a kennel permit is a code violation with administrative fines of 100 to 500 dollars per offense, plus orders to reduce the household count.
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 pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
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