Bakersfield processes State Density Bonus Law applications under California Government Code 65915, granting additional units, reduced parking, and concessions to projects that include affordable, senior, or supportive housing components.
Under California Government Code 65915, projects offering qualifying affordable units receive density bonuses up to 50 percent or more, plus parking reductions, height waivers, and other concessions. Bakersfield is a charter city but cannot opt out of state density bonus law. The Title 17 Zoning Ordinance includes a local Affordable Housing Density Bonus chapter implementing state requirements. Most applications come from infill multifamily projects in central and southwest Bakersfield. Concessions still require objective design review by the Planning Department but cannot be denied for projects meeting statutory affordability thresholds.
Improper denial of qualifying density bonus applications exposes the city to housing-element accountability lawsuits and penalty awards under state Housing Crisis Act statutes.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code 6.04.230 prohibits keeping any animal, bird, or fowl that by sound or cry unreasonably disturbs the peace or interferes with the c...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 9.22 prohibits any loud, unnecessary noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, or that causes discomfort...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not generally ban overnight street parking, but BMC 10.40.010 makes it unlawful for any vehicle (operable or not) to remain parked on a publ...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not restrict year-round lawn ornaments (statues, gnomes, flamingos, religious figures, sports themes) on residential property. There is no p...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not regulate residential inflatable holiday displays by size, lighting, or motor noise. They qualify as seasonal decorations exempt under BM...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield's outdoor lighting standards exempt seasonal decorations as long as they are not in use for more than 60 consecutive days. Residential lots zoned...
See how Bakersfield's density bonus law rules stack up against other locations.
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