Signage Rules: Bakersfield vs Ridgecrest

Can I put a small sign in my window for my home business?

No. Bakersfield's zoning code bars any exterior indication of a home business, including window signs. Online listings and business cards are the appropriate form of advertising.

Can I park my work van with company logo in the driveway?

Generally yes if it is a standard-sized personal work vehicle, but not if parked as a display or in a way that advertises the business. Box trucks, trailers, and multiple logo vehicles can trigger nuisance violations.

Can I put up a small sign for my home business in unincorporated Kern County?

No. § 19.94.040(9) of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance states 'No sign shall be permitted, other than the clearly posted address of the home.' Form 606 also confirms 'no advertising signs are permitted on the property.' The only allowed exterior marker is your standard street address.

Does this include a sandwich board or temporary sign only on appointment days?

Yes, it includes those. The ordinance allows only the 'clearly posted address of the home' with no exception for temporary, portable, or appointment-day signs. Any other on-site advertising violates § 19.94.040(9).

What about a sign on my vehicle parked at the residence?

Kern County's standards do not specifically address vehicle signage in § 19.94.040(9), but § 19.94.040(10) caps business vehicles at 5 tons, and § 19.94.040(7) prohibits any nuisance beyond normal residential conditions. A prominent business-branded vehicle that draws customer traffic could conflict with the appointment-only and no-nuisance standards even if the address-only sign rule is read narrowly.