Animal Ordinances in Bakersfield, CA (2026)
8 verified animal ordinances for Bakersfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules, and burros are allowed in Bakersfield only within the R-S (Residential Suburban) zone, capped at one adult animal per quarter acre of fenced enclosure dedicated to their housing (BMC § 17.10.040(C)(1)(b)). Any structure housing them must sit at least fifty feet from any dwelling and one hundred feet from the front lot line. R-1 through R-6 zones don't allow livestock.
Bakersfield Livestock Allowed Only in R-S Zone
Significant RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 17.10.040(C)(1)(b), (C)(2)(a)-(b)
b. Keeping of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, mules, and burros in a ratio not exceeding one adult animal of the foregoing for each one-quarter acre of fenced enclosure area dedicated for the habitation of said animals. ... 2. No fowl or animals, nor any pen, coop, stable, corral or other structure or enclosure housing livestock or poultry shall be kept or maintained within: a. Fifty feet of any ...
Dog Leash Laws
It's unlawful for any dog, licensed or not, to stray, run, or otherwise be at large on any Bakersfield street, sidewalk, alley, park, or public place, or on another person's property without permission. Bakersfield Municipal Code § 6.04.220(A) is enforced by animal control, and anyone who finds a stray dog may hold it but must notify the shelter within four hours.
Bakersfield Dog At-Large and Leash Law
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 6.04.220(A)
It is unlawful for any dog whether or not the same is licensed and/or vaccinated, to stray, run, or in any other manner to be at large in or upon any public highway, street, sidewalk, alley, lane, park or other public place, or upon the property of any person other than the animal owner, without the permission of the owner or occupant of such property.
Breed 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
Some 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...
Exotic 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
Some 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...
Pet Limits
Bakersfield's municipal code does not cap cats, but any premises keeping more than three dogs at least twelve weeks old is legally a "kennel" under Chapter 6.06, and operating one without a police-issued annual license is unlawful. The fourth dog is the trigger: owners with three or fewer dogs need only the standard individual dog license.
Bakersfield Kennel License Required at Four Dogs
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 6.06.010; § 6.06.020
“Kennel” means any premises on which more than three dogs at least twelve weeks of age are kept including any business of boarding, breeding, or providing day care for dogs. A “kennel” does not include: (1) the public shelter; (2) any animal care facility, kennel, pound or training facility operated by any subdivision of local, state, or federal government; (3) any humane society, any veterinar...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Bakersfield requires every dog over six months old to be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an annual unaltered animal certification under Municipal Code § 6.07.030. Certification requires vet exams, proper housing and a clean violation record.
Bakersfield Mandatory Dog Spay/Neuter Law
Significant RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 6.07.030(A)-(B)
A. No person shall keep a dog over the age of six months which has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds an unaltered animal certification for the animal issued pursuant to Section 6.07.040. B. Any person intentionally providing care or sustenance for a dog shall be deemed the owner of such dog and shall comply with this section.
Coyote Management
It's unlawful to purposely provide food, feed or bait to coyotes, deer, foxes, raccoons, skunks or other wild animals anywhere within a Bakersfield city park, under Municipal Code § 12.56.050(H).
Bakersfield Bans Feeding Coyotes in City Parks
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 12.56.050(H)
Purposely or knowingly, in any manner, provide access to food, feed or bait to any wild animal, including, but not limited to, coyotes, deer, squirrels, feral cats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, waterfowl, birds or beavers;
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Bakersfield lets a small-animal veterinary clinic open as a by-right use in the C-1 neighborhood commercial zone under § 17.22.020(B)(31), but the ordinance draws a hard line at boarding, 'excluding kennel services', so any overnight kennel component takes the use out of this permitted list.
Bakersfield Veterinary Clinic Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 17.22.020(B)(31)
17.22.020 Uses permitted. The following uses are permitted in a C-1 zone: A. Any use listed in the uses permitted section in the C-O zone; B. Any one or more of the following uses: ... 31. Veterinary (small animal only), excluding kennel services;
Looking for Kern County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bakersfield city rules.
Animal Ordinances in Kern County →