Parking Rules in Bakersfield, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Bakersfield or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Bakersfield has 7 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

RV & Boat Parking

RVs and campers may not be parked on public streets for more than 72 hours. BMC §10.32.160 prohibits parking motor vehicles, trailers, or campers on unpaved front yards or rear yards visible from public streets.

Key details: Street Limit: 72 hours max. Unpaved Areas: No parking in front yard per BMC §10.32.160. Private Property: Must be on paved surface if visible. Contact: Bakersfield 311 / (661) 326-3600.

Code compliance notice with correction period. Fines $100 to $500/day after notice. Towing for street violations.

Driveway Rules

Bakersfield Municipal Code Title 17 and Chapter 10.64 regulate where residents can park on their own property, requiring vehicles in residential zones to be on a paved or all-weather surface and prohibiting parking on landscaped front yards. Driveway approaches must meet city engineering standards and cannot block sidewalks.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Bakersfield code enforcement](https://bakersfield.municipal.codes/BMC/17) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Overnight Parking

Bakersfield does not impose a blanket overnight street-parking ban, but vehicles cannot remain in the same public-street spot for more than 72 hours under California Vehicle Code §22651(k) and BMC 10.64. Oversized and commercial vehicles face additional 2 AM – 6 AM restrictions on posted streets, and RVs cannot be used for habitation on the street.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Bakersfield code enforcement](https://bakersfield.municipal.codes/BMC/10.64) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

EV Charging

Bakersfield follows the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) requirements for EV charging infrastructure in new single-family, multi-family, and commercial construction, and California Government Code §65850.7 limits HOA and city restrictions on residential EV charger installation. Permits are issued through the Bakersfield Building Department.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Bakersfield code enforcement](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=65850.7) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Bakersfield is more permissive than most cities when it comes to ev charging. That said, there are still limits.

Street Parking Limits

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 public street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours. Posted time-limit signs (set under BMC 10.72.070) and the city's Residential Permit Parking Program also restrict parking in specific zones.

Key details: Code Section: BMC 10.40.010 (72-hour rule); BMC 10.72.070 (posted time limits). 72-Hour Limit: Applies to all vehicles on any public street/alley. RV Limit on Streets: 72 hours (BMC 10.40.010). Permit-Parking Authority: CVC 22507; near Bakersfield College.

Violation of the 72-hour rule may result in citation and tow under BMC 10.40.010 — vehicles may be removed and stored under police direction. Standard parking citations in Bakersfield generally start around $50–$75 for posted time-zone overstays; tow and storage charges are paid separately to the towing operator and the city impound. Residential Permit Parking Program violations are issued as parking citations.

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.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Bakersfield code enforcement](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=22669) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Compared to other cities, Bakersfield takes a harder line on abandoned vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 10.64 prohibits parking commercial vehicles over 6,000 pounds gross weight or over 20 feet long on residential streets for more than a brief loading period. Oil-field service trucks, big rigs, and construction trailers must be stored in commercial or industrial zones or on properly zoned private property.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Bakersfield code enforcement](https://bakersfield.municipal.codes/BMC/10.64) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Compared to other cities, Bakersfield takes a harder line on commercial vehicle restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Bakersfield is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Bakersfield, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Bakersfield's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.