Fire Regulations in Bakersfield, CA (2026)
7 verified fire regulations for Bakersfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Bakersfield requires an operational permit for any open fire, including a backyard fire pit, chiminea, or bonfire, kindled or maintained on public or private ground anywhere in the city. Bakersfield Municipal Code § 15.65.080 amends California Fire Code § 105.5.34 and carries no size exemption for casual backyard burning; permit holders must follow every instruction and stipulation the fire prevention division attaches.
Bakersfield Backyard Fire Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 15.65.080 (CFC § 105.5.34, Open Burning, amended)
Section 105.5.34 of the CFC, Open burning, is amended to read as follows: 105.5.34 Open burning. An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to.
Fireworks
Bakersfield allows only permitted 'safe and sane' fireworks, sold from licensed stands during a narrow window around July 4th, while any 'dangerous' fireworks under state law stay banned outright.
Bakersfield Fireworks Sale and Use Rules
Significant RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 8.44.040(A), (R)
A. Those fireworks which are classified as "dangerous" fireworks under Section 12505 of the California Health and Safety Code are prohibited, except that such fireworks as are defined and classified as "safe and sane fireworks" in Section 12529 of the California Health and Safety Code may be displayed, sold and used pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and not otherwise... R. "Safe and sa...
Brush Clearance
Bakersfield requires all property owners to maintain 100 feet of defensible space in hazardous fire areas and to abate dry weeds, grass, and combustible vegetation citywide. The city's annual weed abatement program issues notices in spring, with the Fire Department authorized to hire contractors and bill the property through the tax roll.
Bakersfield Brush and Weed Abatement
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 (100-Foot Defensible Space in State Responsibility Area)
4291. (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line ... Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be un...
Outdoor Burning
Bakersfield requires an operational permit for any open fire on public or private ground under Municipal Code § 15.65.080, which amends California Fire Code Section 105.5.34: violators face misdemeanor prosecution with fines up to $1,000 or six months' jail under the fire code's amended penalty section.
Bakersfield Open Burning Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 15.65.080 (California Fire Code § 105.5.34)
Section 105.5.34 of the CFC, Open burning, is amended to read as follows: 105.5.34 Open burning. An operational permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground. Instructions and stipulations of the permit shall be adhered to.
Wildfire Zones
Portions of northeast and eastern Bakersfield bordering the Kern foothills fall within CAL FIRE's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, triggering Chapter 7A building code requirements for new construction and 100-foot defensible space under PRC §4291. Most of the urban core falls outside mapped hazard zones.
Bakersfield Wildfire Hazard Zones
Significant RestrictionsCAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal — Fire Hazard Severity Zones (PRC §§ 4201-4204; Gov. Code §§ 51175-89)
California's seasonally dry Mediterranean climate lends itself to wildfires, and in an effort to better prepare, CAL FIRE is required to classify the severity of fire hazard in areas of California... The California laws that require Fire Hazard Severity Zones include California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280 and California Government Code ...
Smoke Detectors
California Health and Safety Code §13113.7 and §13114 require working smoke alarms in every dwelling unit in Bakersfield, with specific placement in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level. Since 2015, replacement alarms in existing homes must be 10-year sealed-battery devices, and rental units must include interconnected alarms.
Bakersfield Smoke Detector Requirements
Some RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 13113.7(a)(1)–(2)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy. For all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2014,...
Propane Storage
Bakersfield restricts liquefied petroleum gas storage citywide wherever the planning department's zoning map shows a residential or commercial designation, and bars LPG-burning equipment from pits, attics, underfloor spaces or below-grade areas unless vapors can be safely vented away.
Bakersfield Residential Propane Storage Limits
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 15.65.230
Section 6104.2 of the CFC, Geographic limits in which the storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, is amended to read as follows: Section 6104.2 (Geographic limits in which the storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas): areas of the City of Bakersfield which rep...
Looking for Kern County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bakersfield city rules.
Fire Regulations in Kern County →