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Bakersfield, CA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified April 2026

Key Facts

New Homes
Must include Level 2 EV-ready circuit (CALGreen)
Expedited Permit
Required for residential chargers (Gov Code §65850.7)
HOA Restriction
Cannot prohibit (Civil Code §4745)
Non-EV Parking
Public property can be cited
Installation Permit
Hardwired chargers need building permit

Summary

Bakersfield follows the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) requirements for EV charging infrastructure in new single-family, multi-family, and commercial construction, and California Government Code §65850.7 limits HOA and city restrictions on residential EV charger installation. Permits are issued through the Bakersfield Building Department.

65850.7. (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) The implementation of consistent statewide standards to achieve the timely and cost-effective installation of electric vehicle charging stations is not a municipal affair, as that term is used in Section 5 of Article XI of the California Constitution, but is instead a matter of statewide concern. (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that local agencies not adopt ordinances that create unreasonable barriers to the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and not unreasonably restrict the ability of homeowners and agricultural and business concerns to install electric vehicle charging stations.

Source: California Government Code §65850.7View official code

Full Breakdown

Electric vehicle charging in Bakersfield is governed primarily by state law, with local administration by the Bakersfield Building Department. New construction must comply with the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Title 24 Part 11), which since 2020 requires every new single-family home to include at least one Level 2 EV-ready receptacle and 40-amp dedicated circuit in the garage, and new multi-family and nonresidential projects to provide EV-capable and EV-ready parking spaces as a percentage of total parking (10% EV-capable minimum in most categories, increasing in the 2022 code cycle).

7, which requires Bakersfield to use a streamlined, non-discretionary checklist-style review and approve compliant applications within a statutory timeframe. Homeowners associations cannot prohibit residential EV charger installation under California Civil Code §4745; they may impose reasonable aesthetic and engineering conditions but cannot make installation unreasonably expensive or effectively impossible. Public charging stations in city-owned parking are regulated under BMC Title 10 with signage identifying EV-only spaces and time limits; non-EV vehicles parked in marked charging spots can be cited. Commercial properties providing public charging must comply with California Air Resources Board labeling and pricing transparency rules.

The Bakersfield Building Department issues electrical permits for any hardwired charger installation, and PG&E offers residential EV rate plans that may require a separate submeter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my HOA stop me from installing a home EV charger?
No. California Civil Code §4745 prohibits HOAs from banning residential EV charger installation, though they can impose reasonable aesthetic conditions.
Do I need a permit to install a Level 2 charger at my Bakersfield home?
Yes. Hardwired installations require an electrical permit from the Bakersfield Building Department, and Gov Code §65850.7 requires the city to process it through an expedited checklist review.
Can I park a gas car in an EV charging stall to run into a store?
No. Marked EV charging stalls are restricted to vehicles actively charging, and non-EVs (plus EVs not plugged in) can be cited on public property.

Sources & Official References

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