Animal Ordinances in Bakersfield, CA (2026)
13 verified animal ordinances for Bakersfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Bakersfield permits backyard chickens (hens) in residential zones under BMC Title 17 subject to number limits and setback requirements. Roosters are generally prohibited in residential zones due to noise. Larger livestock (cows, horses, goats, pigs) are restricted to agricultural and estate zones with minimum parcel sizes. Coops and enclosures must be maintained in sanitary condition.
Animals: Chickens Livestock
Some RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
Bakersfield requires dogs to be on leash or otherwise under physical control when off the owner's property. Leash laws are enforced by Kern County Animal Services through a contract with the City of Bakersfield. Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated against rabies, and wear tags. Off-leash activity is permitted only in designated off-leash dog parks and on private property with owner consent.
Animals: Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
Bakersfield does not have breed-specific legislation (BSL) targeting pit bulls, Rottweilers, or other specific dog breeds. California Food and Agricultural Code §31683 prohibits cities from adopting breed-specific ordinances that declare a dog dangerous based on breed alone, though cities may adopt breed-specific spay/neuter programs. Bakersfield regulates dangerous and vicious dogs based on individual behavior rather than breed.
Animals: Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsCal. Food & Agricultural Code § 31683
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except as prov...
Beekeeping
Bakersfield permits beekeeping in agricultural and some residential zones subject to setback and density requirements. California Food and Agricultural Code §29000 and following governs commercial beekeeping, apiary registration with the county agricultural commissioner, and bee health. Hobbyist beekeepers with a few hives on residential lots must comply with local setbacks and cannot create nuisances.
Animals: Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 6 prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals as pets within city limits, deferring to California Fish and Game restricted species rules under Title 14 CCR Section 671.
Exotic Animal Restrictions in Bakersfield
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife - Restricted Species Permits (14 CCR Sec. 671)
Restricted Species Permits are required for every person who imports, exports, transports, or possesses any restricted animal listed in Section 671(c), Title 14, of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). Entitlements: Restricted Species Permit Application/Amendment - New: $155.53; Renewal and Amendment: $80.60 - Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of an existing permit...
Wildlife Feeding
Bakersfield prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife such as coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and feral dogs under BMC nuisance provisions and California Fish and Game Code. Bird feeding is generally permitted but feeders that attract rodents, create nuisance, or feed non-target wildlife may be ordered removed. Feeding coyotes and predatory wildlife is specifically discouraged due to public safety risks.
Animals: Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsLivestock
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.
Animals: Livestock
Some RestrictionsAnimal 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.
Animal Hoarding Enforcement in Bakersfield
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Penal Code § 597(b)
Except as provided in subdivision (a) or (c), a person who overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter, cruelly beats, mutilates, or cruelly kills an animal... and whoever, having the charge or custody of an animal, either as owner or otherwise, subjects an animal to needless suffering, or inflicts unnecessary...
Pet Limits
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.
Household Pet Number Limits
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
Bakersfield encourages but does not strictly mandate cat licensing through Chapter 6. Cats running at large face impoundment, and rabies vaccinations are required for all cats over four months old per California Health and Safety Code.
Cat Licensing and Outdoor Rules
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 6 charges higher license fees for unaltered dogs and applies California Food and Agricultural Code spay-neuter requirements at adoption. Most adopted shelter animals must be sterilized before release.
Mandatory Spay and Neuter Rules
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31108.3 requires shelters and rescues to microchip dogs and cats before adoption. Bakersfield Animal Care implants chips during licensing, and registration is strongly encouraged for all pets.
Microchipping Requirements at Shelters
Some RestrictionsCoyote Management
Bakersfield experiences regular coyote sightings near foothills, river corridors, and outlying subdivisions. The city follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance focused on hazing, pet protection, and avoiding food-source attractants.
Coyote Encounters and Management
Few RestrictionsLooking for Kern County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bakersfield city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Kern County →