Bakersfield, CA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)

E regulates 'outdoor advertising signs (billboards)' as a distinct sign type, separate from on-site business signage. Billboards are permitted only in the C-2, M-1, M-2 and M-3 zone districts, in addition to whatever signage those districts already allow for the business on site. Area is capped at 300 square feet, though cutouts or extensions up to 30 square feet don't count against that limit. Height tops out at 35 feet in the C-2 district and 50 feet in the M-1, M-2 and M-3 districts. Spacing rules keep billboards from clustering: a new billboard must be at least 1,000 feet from another billboard and at least 100 feet from any other freestanding sign.

Residential buffering is built in, billboards must sit back at least 300 feet from any property zoned residential or developed with residential uses, and 25 feet from adjacent property lines generally (no setback where the billboard fronts a public street). Billboards can't be placed on or project over public property or right-of-way, can't project over or attach to a building, and double-faced boards are allowed only if the two faces are back-to-back, no more than two feet apart and equal in size. Illumination is permitted provided no light is directed onto neighboring properties or the right-of-way.

547 are permitted' on billboards meeting all of the above area, height, spacing and setback standards, Bakersfield does not run a separate, more restrictive regime for electronic billboard faces.