Filming & Production in Bakersfield, CA (2026)
3 verified filming & production rules for Bakersfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Location Permits
The City of Bakersfield issues its own film permit for commercial productions on city property and city streets — Kern County's free film permit (issued by the Kern County Film Commission) does NOT cover the City of Bakersfield. The city permit costs $200 ($170 permit fee + $30 business license) and requires $2 million general liability insurance with an endorsement (a certificate alone is not accepted).
Bakersfield Film and Production Location Permit
Some RestrictionsProduction Noise
Film productions in Bakersfield are subject to the general noise ordinance at BMC Chapter 9.22 and the construction-hours rule at BMC 9.22.050. Loud production work — generators, equipment, amplified sound, exterior dialogue — that occurs between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. on weekdays (or 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekends) generally requires a special exception granted as a condition of the city film permit.
Bakersfield Production Noise Rules for Film Shoots
Some RestrictionsStreet 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.
Bakersfield Street Closures for Film Productions
Some RestrictionsLooking for Kern County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bakersfield city rules.
Filming & Production in Kern County →