Zoning Report
Bakersfield, CA Zoning
Bakersfield’s zoning code is organized by a modern district-based framework in Title 17, with separate chapters for residential, mixed-use, commercial, industrial, floodplain, airport approach, hillside, ADUs, parking, landscaping, signs, lighting, and nonconforming situations. The city appears to use a mix of by-right zoning, director review and approval, site plan review, and conditional use permits depending on the use and district. The code also includes special-purpose overlay or combining districts such as floodplain, airport approach, petroleum extraction, and hillside development, which can add constraints beyond the base zone.
Last researched May 2026
Zoning Districts in Bakersfield, CA
R-S Suburban Residential
Low-density suburban residential area intended for single-unit detached dwellings and accessory dwelling units on larger parcels, with animal keeping allowed under specific standards.
Allowed uses: single-unit detached dwellings, accessory dwelling units, animal keeping under specific guidelines
R-1 Residential
Lower-density residential district intended to preserve and develop single-unit neighborhoods with accessory dwelling units.
Allowed uses: single-unit detached dwellings, accessory dwelling units
R-2 Residential
Small-scale residential district allowing single-unit homes and smaller multi-unit formats.
Allowed uses: single-unit dwellings, accessory dwelling units, duplex dwellings, triplex dwellings, quadplex dwellings
R-3 Residential
Medium-density residential district intended for duplexes, townhomes, condominiums, apartments, and other medium-density housing forms.
Allowed uses: accessory dwelling units, two-unit dwellings, single-unit dwellings, multi-unit dwellings
Mixed-Use Zones
Bakersfield has a dedicated mixed-use zoning chapter, indicating districts intended to combine residential and nonresidential activity.
C-O Professional and Administrative Office
Office-oriented commercial district listed in Title 17.
C-1 Neighborhood Commercial
Neighborhood-serving commercial district listed in Title 17.
C-2 Regional Commercial
Larger-scale commercial district listed in Title 17.
C-B Central Business
Downtown/central business district listed in Title 17; parking rules indicate special treatment in the central district.
C-C Commercial Center
Commercial center district listed in Title 17.
M-1 Light Manufacturing
Light industrial district listed in Title 17.
M-2 General Manufacturing
General industrial district listed in Title 17.
M-3 Heavy Industrial
Heavy industrial district listed in Title 17.
A Agriculture
Agricultural district listed in Title 17.
OS Open Space
Open space district listed in Title 17.
HOSP Hospital
Hospital zoning district listed in Title 17.
Recent Zoning Changes
The provided code excerpts show at least two 2024 ordinance updates affecting Bakersfield zoning administration and parking. Ordinance 5175 (2024) updated planning director authority and residential parking standards, including no minimum parking standards for multifamily residential development with nineteen or less dwelling units, while preserving EV-capable and accessible parking obligations required by state law.
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