What Bakersfield Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Bakersfield is a mid-sized city in Kern County, California, with about 403000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 206 ordinances across 43 categories that affect daily life in Bakersfield.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Home occupations in Bakersfield may not display any exterior signage under BMC Title 17. The zoning code requires that home businesses produce no outward indication of commercial activity.

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (moderate), Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Bakersfield for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Bakersfield water customers are served by multiple providers including California Water Service (Cal Water) Bakersfield District and the City of Bakersfield Water Resources Department. Permanent state-wide conservation rules under Water Code §10608 and regulations from the State Water Resources Control Board prohibit watering during/after rain, runoff onto pavement, and daytime irrigation.

Also covered: Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (strict), Weed Ordinances (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Fence Regulations

Retaining Walls: Bakersfield requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, and for any retaining wall supporting a surcharge (such as a driveway, pool, or structure) regardless of height. Engineered plans stamped by a California-licensed civil or structural engineer are required for walls over 4 feet.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Fence Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Bakersfield for details.

Animal Ordinances

Animal Hoarding: Bakersfield enforces animal hoarding through Chapter 6 pet-limit rules combined with California Penal Code Section 597 cruelty laws when neglect, unsanitary conditions, or lack of veterinary care endanger the animals being kept..

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Livestock (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Bakersfield for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Open outdoor burning of yard waste and trash is prohibited in Bakersfield year-round under San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Rule 4103 and Bakersfield Municipal Code provisions. Only permitted agricultural burns and small recreational fires in approved devices are allowed, with authorization required from the SJVAPCD and Bakersfield Fire Department..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Smoke Detectors (strict), Wildfire Zones (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Bakersfield for details.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: Bakersfield enforces abandoned vehicle removal through its participation in the Kern Abandoned Vehicle Abatement program under California Vehicle Code §22669 and §22710. Vehicles left inoperable, wrecked, or stored for over 72 hours on public or private property can be tagged, towed, and disposed of by the city..

Also covered: RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Bakersfield residential pools must meet state safety requirements including anti-entrapment drain covers under the federal Virginia Graeme Baker (VGB) Act, equipotential bonding of all metal within 5 feet of water, and the two-feature drowning prevention rule of H&S 115922. Pool alarms, door alarms, and safety covers must meet ASTM standards when used to satisfy the second required feature.

Also covered: Fencing Requirements (strict), Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Hot Tub Rules (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Bakersfield for details.

Noise Ordinances

Industrial Noise: Industrial noise in Bakersfield is strictly regulated under BMC Chapter 9.22, which sets zone-based exterior decibel limits and prohibits industrial properties from exceeding 70 dBA at a residential receiver. Oil field operations, rail yards, and warehouses must comply, though oil and gas activity also has separate state CalGEM and CEQA mitigation requirements..

Also covered: Outdoor Music (moderate), Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Aircraft Noise (permissive). See the full noise ordinances guide for Bakersfield for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Permits: Bakersfield processes accessory dwelling units under Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 17.65 (current through Ord. 5199, June 11, 2025).

Also covered: Shed Rules (permissive), Carport Rules (moderate), ADU Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Bakersfield for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: Short-term rentals in Bakersfield must follow the same BMC Chapter 9.22 noise standards as other residences, with quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Also covered: Registration Rules (moderate), Taxes & Fees (strict), Occupancy Limits (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Bakersfield for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Bakersfield does not require a permit for garage or yard sales that comply with the frequency and duration limits in BMC 17.04.305. Residents may hold sales of personal goods without obtaining a permit, provided they adhere to the twice-yearly and two-day limits..

Also covered: Frequency Limits (moderate), Time Restrictions (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Bakersfield for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Bakersfield permits commercial cannabis activity including dispensaries under BMC 17.04.154 and the city's cannabis regulatory program. Dispensaries must obtain both a city cannabis permit and comply with zoning restrictions that limit locations to specific commercial and industrial zones with required buffer distances from sensitive uses..

Also covered: Buffer Zones (strict), Commercial Cannabis Zoning (strict), Personal Cultivation Limits (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Bakersfield for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rental Registration: Bakersfield does not require a mandatory rental property registration program. Rental properties must comply with standard building codes, property maintenance standards, and business licensing requirements, but there is no registry or database of rental units maintained by the city..

Also covered: Source-of-Income Discrimination (moderate), Relocation Assistance (moderate), Security Deposit Rules (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Public Health Rules

Food Handler Certification: Bakersfield food workers must obtain a California Food Handler Card within 30 days of hire under California Health and Safety Code. The card requires passing an accredited course and is valid for three years..

Also covered: Bed-Bug Rules (moderate), Restaurant Grade Cards (moderate), Rodent Control (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Flavored Tobacco Bans: California Senate Bill 793, upheld by voters as Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the sale of most flavored tobacco products in Bakersfield. The ban covers menthol cigarettes, flavored vape pods, and flavored chew with limited exceptions..

Also covered: Tobacco Age Restrictions (strict). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Bakersfield for details.

Building Safety

Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed: California Code of Regulations Title 8 Sections 1635 through 1670 set Cal/OSHA scaffold standards. Bakersfield contractors must train workers, design scaffolds for four times working load, and obtain encroachment permits when blocking sidewalks..

Also covered: Green Building Code (moderate), Pest Control (moderate), Lead Paint (strict). See the full building safety guide for Bakersfield for details.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: California's Solar Rights Act (Civil Code §714) severely limits HOA restrictions on solar energy systems. HOAs in Bakersfield cannot prohibit solar installations and may only impose reasonable restrictions that do not significantly increase cost or decrease efficiency.

Also covered: Panel Permits (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Bakersfield for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: Bakersfield enforces sidewalk obstruction and unlawful camping ordinances that restrict sitting, lying, or sleeping on public sidewalks and rights-of-way, particularly in commercial corridors and near schools or parks..

Also covered: Encampment Sanitation (strict), Bridge Housing Siting (moderate). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: Bakersfield grocery stores and large retailers cannot give out single-use plastic carryout bags under California SB 270. Stores must charge at least 10 cents for each reusable or paper bag provided at checkout..

Also covered: Plastic Straw Rules (moderate), Polystyrene Foam Rules (permissive), Utensils-On-Request (moderate). See the full single-use items guide for Bakersfield for details.

Water Use Rules

Turf Replacement Rebates: Cal Water and the Kern County Water Agency periodically offer turf-replacement rebates encouraging homeowners to convert thirsty fescue lawns to drought-tolerant landscaping, low-water plants, or California-native gardens during dry years..

Also covered: Lawn Watering Restrictions (moderate), Recycled Water Rules (moderate), Leak Reporting Duty (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Environmental Rules

Erosion Control: Bakersfield requires erosion and sediment control on all construction and grading activities under the city's grading ordinance and stormwater management regulations. The San Joaquin Valley's dry climate and high winds make dust and erosion control particularly important.

Also covered: Climate Emergency Mobilization (permissive), Heat Island Mitigation (permissive), Vehicle Idling Restrictions (strict). See the full environmental rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Density Bonus Law: Bakersfield processes State Density Bonus Law applications under California Government Code 65915, granting additional units, reduced parking, and concessions to projects that include affordable, senior, or supportive housing components..

Also covered: Specific Plans Overview (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Bakersfield for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Curb Management: Bakersfield uses standard California curb colors including red for no-stopping, yellow for commercial loading, green for short-term parking, white for passenger drop-off, and blue for accessible parking under California Vehicle Code 21458..

Also covered: Bike Lane Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Massage Establishments: Bakersfield massage establishments must hold a city business tax certificate, and individual practitioners need California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification under state law SB 731..

Also covered: Smoke Shop Rules (moderate), Tattoo & Body Modification (moderate), Tobacco Retail License (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Bakersfield for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Bakersfield regulates tree removal primarily through its zoning code and property maintenance standards. While the city does not have a comprehensive heritage tree ordinance, trees within the public right-of-way are protected and require city approval before removal.

Also covered: Protected Tree Species (moderate), Parkway Planting (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (permissive). See the full tree protection guide for Bakersfield for details.

Public Conduct

Public Marijuana Use: Bakersfield prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in any public place under California Health and Safety Code 11362.3, with no on-site consumption lounges allowed because the city bans commercial cannabis..

Also covered: Loud Party Ordinance (moderate), Public Alcohol Use (strict), Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (moderate). See the full public conduct guide for Bakersfield for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Bakersfield charges a 12% transient occupancy tax on hotel and short-term rental stays under 30 days, collected by the operator and remitted monthly to the city Finance Department under municipal code Chapter 3.40..

Also covered: Hotel Living Wage (permissive). See the full hotels & lodging guide for Bakersfield for details.

Immigration Policy

Sanctuary Policy Preemption: Bakersfield police follow California SB 54 the TRUST Act, which limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement statewide. The conservative-leaning city has historically chafed at the rules but must comply with state preemption..

Filming & Production

Street Closures: Film productions that need to close, restrict, or use a Bakersfield city street must obtain the closure through the City of Bakersfield film permit — the Kern County Public Works road permit does not cover Bakersfield city streets. The closure is coordinated through Bakersfield Public Works and Police Traffic, included on the city film permit, and typically requires the production to pay for Bakersfield Police Department traffic-control standby at posted hourly rates..

Also covered: Production Noise (moderate), Location Permits (moderate). See the full filming & production guide for Bakersfield for details.

Earthquake Safety

Unreinforced Masonry: Bakersfield is one of California's URM-program cities, with mandatory seismic retrofit requirements for unreinforced masonry bearing-wall buildings codified at BMC Chapter 15.40 (Earthquake Hazard Reduction in Existing URM Bearing Wall Buildings) and administered under BMC Chapter 15.41. The city completed a full URM inventory and reports roughly 85% of identified URM buildings have been brought up to 1993 retrofit standards..

Also covered: Seismic Gas Shutoff (moderate), Soft-Story Retrofit (permissive), Foundation Anchoring (moderate). See the full earthquake safety guide for Bakersfield for details.

Street Vending

Vending Zones: BMC Chapter 5.45 governs where in Bakersfield sidewalk vendors may operate. At all times the vendor must maintain a minimum of four feet of unobstructed sidewalk for pedestrian traffic and meet all ADA accessibility standards.

Also covered: Cart & Stand Rules (moderate), Vendor Permits (moderate). See the full street vending guide for Bakersfield for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Bakersfield adopts the California Fire Code (2022 Edition) at BMC Chapter 15.65. Under CFC §308.1.4 as incorporated, open-flame cooking devices may not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in multi-family buildings (R-2 occupancies).

Also covered: Smoker Rules (permissive), Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Bakersfield for details.

Holiday Decorations

Lawn Ornament Rules: Bakersfield does not restrict year-round lawn ornaments (statues, gnomes, flamingos, religious figures, sports themes) on residential property. There is no permit, no quantity limit, and no aesthetic-content limit.

Also covered: Inflatable Display Rules (permissive), Holiday Light Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Bakersfield for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Bakersfield workers earn California's statewide minimum wage of $16.50 per hour, indexed annually to inflation under CA Labor Code 1182.12. Bakersfield has not enacted a local minimum wage above the state floor..

Also covered: Paid Leave Preemption (moderate). See the full employment preemption guide for Bakersfield for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks in Bakersfield must obtain permits from the Kern County Environmental Health Division and a city business license. Mobile food vendors must comply with California Retail Food Code requirements and city regulations governing mobile food vending operations..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Bakersfield for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Bakersfield actively enforces property blight standards under BMC Chapter 8.27. The code requires property owners to maintain their properties free of conditions that constitute a public nuisance, including accumulated junk, debris, abandoned vehicles, graffiti, and deteriorated structures..

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Vacant Lot Maintenance (strict). See the full property maintenance guide for Bakersfield for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Bakersfield regulates signs under its sign ordinance in the zoning code (BMC Title 17). Political signs are afforded strong First Amendment protections.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Bakersfield for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Bakersfield does not have a comprehensive dark sky ordinance. While Kern County has adopted some outdoor lighting standards, the City of Bakersfield's lighting regulations are primarily addressed through the zoning code for commercial and industrial development rather than a dedicated dark sky program..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Bakersfield for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drone use in Bakersfield is primarily governed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The city does not have its own specific drone ordinance.

Also covered: Commercial Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Bakersfield for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Bakersfield establishes building setback requirements through its Zoning Ordinance (BMC Title 17). Setbacks vary by zoning district and specify minimum distances from property lines for structures.

Also covered: Lot Coverage Limits (moderate), Structure Height Limits (strict). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Bakersfield for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: Bakersfield is subject to California's mandatory commercial and residential recycling laws, including AB 341 (mandatory commercial recycling), AB 1826 (mandatory commercial organics recycling), and SB 1383 (statewide organic waste reduction). All residents and businesses must participate in recycling programs..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Bulk Item Disposal (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Bakersfield for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Bakersfield requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain permits under the municipal code. The city regulates transient merchants, solicitors, and canvassers to protect residents from fraud while respecting First Amendment rights for religious and political speech..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Bakersfield for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Bakersfield enforces a juvenile curfew under BMC Title 9, Division VII (Offenses by or Against Minors). Minors under 18 are prohibited from being in public places during specified nighttime hours without a parent or guardian.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Bakersfield for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Bakersfield, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.