Sign Regulations in Bakersfield, CA (2026)
5 verified sign regulations for Bakersfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Bakersfield regulates signs under its sign ordinance in the zoning code (BMC Title 17). Political signs are afforded strong First Amendment protections. California Elections Code §18370 prohibits local governments from banning political signs within specified timeframes before and after elections.
Bakersfield Political Sign Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. Elections Code § 18370(a)
A person shall not, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, within the 100 foot limit specified in subdivision (b), do any of the following: (1) Circulate an initiative, referendum, recall, or nomination petition or any other petition. (2) Solicit a vote or speak to a voter on the subject of marking the voter's ballot. (3) Place a sign relating to voters' qualifica...
Garage Sale Signs
Bakersfield's sign matrix caps garage, yard, and estate sale signs at two per residence, one on-site and one off-site, each no larger than 3 square feet and 6 feet tall, unlit, and barred from the public right-of-way. Off-site signs can't be affixed to any utility pole, street sign, or fence, must come down within 3 consecutive days, and a property gets no more than two sales a year.
Garage Sale Sign Rules in Bakersfield
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 17.60.060(B)(1)
v. Garage, Yard and Estate Sales: Freestanding; 2 per residence (1 on-site, 1 off-site); 3 sq. ft.; 6 ft.; No; Off-site sign shall not be placed within right-of-way and shall not be affixed in any manner to any utility pole, street sign, fence, etc.; a. No property shall be allowed signage for more than 2 sales per calendar year. b. The maximum duration of the use of these signs shall not excee...
Holiday Displays
Bakersfield's outdoor lighting chapter exempts holiday lights from its glare, shielding and energy-use standards, but only while they're seasonal decorations in use for 60 consecutive days or less, under Bakersfield Municipal Code § 17.71.060.F. Leave a display up longer and it must meet the full outdoor-lighting code.
Bakersfield Seasonal Lighting 60-Day Limit
Light RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 17.71.060.F
17.71.060 Exemptions. The following are exempt from the provisions of this chapter: A. Traffic control signals and devices; B. Temporary emergency related lighting (e.g., fire, police, utility repair); C. Moving vehicle lights; D. Navigation lights (e.g., airports, heliports, radio/television towers); E. Signs in conformance with Chapter 17.60 of this code; F. Seasonal decorations provided they...
Digital Billboards
Billboards in Bakersfield are confined to the C-2, M-1, M-2 and M-3 zones, capped at 300 square feet (plus 30 square feet of cutouts), and must sit at least 1,000 feet from another billboard and 300 feet from residential property, and § 17.60.070.E.11 lets them carry electronic message displays under those same limits.
Bakersfield Digital Billboard Regulations
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 17.60.070.E
E. Outdoor Advertising Signs (Billboards). All outdoor advertising signs are regulated as follows: 1. Signs are permitted in the C-2, M-1, M-2 and M-3 zone districts, in addition to that permitted in those respective districts. 2. Signs shall not exceed an area of three hundred square feet, excluding cutouts or extensions provided they do not exceed thirty square feet in area. 3. Signs shall no...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Bakersfield lets one freeway-oriented sign per site rise above the normal zone size and height caps, up to 350 square feet and 75 feet, but only for businesses supplying food, lodging or vehicle services next to Highway 99, and only inside mapped 2,000-by-3,000-foot rectangles centered on nine specific freeway interchanges under Bakersfield Municipal Code § 17.60.070.D.
Bakersfield Freeway-Oriented Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsBakersfield Municipal Code § 17.60.070.D
D. Freeway-Oriented Signs. Freeway-oriented signs identify premises where food, lodging and places of business engage in supplying goods and services essential to the normal operation of motor vehicles, and which are directly dependent upon an adjacent freeway. These signs shall be subject to the following regulations: 1. Signs shall be within the C-1, C-2, C-C, PCD, M-1, M-2 or M-3 zone distri...
Looking for Kern County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bakersfield city rules.
Sign Regulations in Kern County →