Bakersfield, CA Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)

6 to allow prescriptive design of concrete and masonry foundation walls only where they are laterally supported top and bottom and, again, not for structures in Seismic Design Category D, E or F. 8 requires that "wood installed in retaining or crib walls shall be preservative treated in accordance with AWPA U1 (Commodity Specifications A or F) for soil and fresh water use," and flatly states wood "shall not be used in retaining or crib walls for structures assigned to Seismic Design Category D, E or F", the category covering most of Bakersfield's high-seismicity San Joaquin Valley sites.

6). 4. Together, these sections mean a retaining wall built of wood in Bakersfield's seismic zone is prohibited outright, any wood that is used elsewhere must be pressure-treated to AWPA U1 standards, and concrete or masonry retaining walls are held to the prescriptive foundation-wall design limits unless engineered otherwise, all under permits and fees separate from a general building or grading permit.