Wildfire Zones: Bakersfield vs Ridgecrest
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Bakersfield, CA and Ridgecrest, CA?
Bakersfield and Ridgecrest have similar restriction levels.
Bakersfield, CA
Kern County
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.
View full Bakersfield rules →Ridgecrest, CA
Kern County
California uniformly classifies and maps Fire Hazard Severity Zones statewide, with mandatory building, disclosure, and defensible space rules tied to zone designations.
View full Ridgecrest rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bakersfield | Ridgecrest |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Statutes | - | Gov Code 51178, PRC 4202 |
| Zones | - | Moderate, High, Very High |
| Mapping authority | - | State Fire Marshal, CAL FIRE |
| Adoption deadline | - | 120 days after release |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bakersfield FAQ
Ridgecrest FAQ
Can my city downgrade my Very High zone designation?
No. Cities must adopt the state maps and may only increase, not decrease, the hazard classification of any parcel.
What disclosures apply when selling a home in a fire hazard zone?
AB 38 requires sellers of homes built before 2010 in High or Very High zones to provide a home-hardening disclosure to buyers.
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