How Bakersfield Handles Property Maintenance: A Practical Guide

Bakersfield maintains 163 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with property maintenance. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Bakersfield falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Property Blight

Bakersfield declares eleven specific property conditions a public nuisance under Municipal Code § 8.27.010: from partially destroyed buildings to junk, dead trees and unscreened parking. The building director enforces it with fines starting at $50 and can summarily abate imminent hazards within 48 hours.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 8.27.010. Enforcing agency: Building director / code enforcement. First infraction fine: Up to $50. Misdemeanor max: $1,000 or 6 months jail. Imminent-hazard abatement: Within 48 hours of notice.

First infraction is fined up to $50, a second within a year up to $100, and each further violation up to $250; a misdemeanor charge carries up to $1,000 or six months in county jail, or both (§ 1.40.010). Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the city can add a 10% administrative surcharge plus 1% monthly interest and lien the property for inspection and abatement costs (§ 8.80.010).

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Bakersfield makes it a public nuisance to leave junk, debris, construction equipment, discarded furniture or unwetted fill dirt visible on any property under Municipal Code § 8.27.010, with the building director able to summarily abate urgent conditions.

Key details: Governing section: BMC § 8.27.010. Enforcing official: Building director. Fill dirt deadline: Graded within 30 days of delivery. First infraction fine: Up to $50. Summary abatement (imminent danger): Within 48 hours of notice.

A first § 8.27.010 violation is an infraction starting at $50, rising to $100 for a second violation and $250 for each additional violation within a year under § 1.40.010, or a misdemeanor up to $1,000/6 months jail; each day of continued violation is a separate offense, and the city may instead summarily abate under Chapter 8.80 and bill the owner.

The Bottom Line

Bakersfield's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Bakersfield is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Bakersfield can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.