Bakersfield uses specific plans under California Government Code 65450 to guide large-scale development including the Old Town Kern, Mill Creek, and Westside Parkway corridor areas, layering tailored zoning over the Title 17 baseline.
Specific plans serve as zoning overlays for areas needing customized design, infrastructure, and use rules beyond the standard Title 17 Zoning Ordinance. Notable Bakersfield examples include the Mill Creek Linear Park area downtown, the Old Town Kern revitalization plan, and the Westside Parkway corridor. Each specific plan is adopted by City Council ordinance after California Environmental Quality Act review. Specific plans bind subsequent development to plan standards including density, design, and circulation. They are amended through formal council action and typically prevail when conflicting with general zoning.
Building permits inconsistent with adopted specific plan standards are denied at plan check and require zone-text amendment or variance to proceed.
See how Bakersfield's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
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