Chapter 17.12 — MIXED-USE ZONES

Sections:

• 17.12.010 Purposes of mixed-use zones.

17.12.020 Mixed-use land use regulations and allowable uses. 17.12.030 Mixed-use zone development standards. 17.12.040 Other applicable regulations and standards.

A. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the character and intent of the city’s mixed-use zones, describe allowed land uses and permit requirements in mixed-use zones, identify any supplemental land use regulations applicable to mixed-use zones, and establish development standards for the same.

B. Zoning Map. The boundaries, designations, and locations of the zones established by this zoning code shall be shown upon the map(s) entitled “Zoning Map for City of Bakersfield” and referred to in this zoning code as the zoning map. Any additional maps adopted shall also be a part of this zoning code by reference. This zoning code, together with the zoning map, is hereby adopted in compliance with current state planning, zoning, and development laws.

C. Zone Purpose Statements. The purpose of the individual mixed-use uses and the way they are applied are as follows:

1. MX-1 (Mixed-Use Neighborhood) Zone. The purpose of the MX-1 mixed-use neighborhood zone is to provide areas within the city for pedestrian oriented developments that focus on neighborhood-serving commercial uses (e.g., coffee shops, grocery stores, retail establishments). This zone also allows mixed-use development comprised of medium-density multi-unit developments (i.e., cottage court apartments, low-rise apartments, and condominiums), It is the intent of the MX-1 zone to encourage a mix of residential and commercial uses, with residential on the upper floors and commercial on the lower floors (vertical mixed-use format), as well as, stand-alone uses in certain circumstances (horizontal mixed-use format). The residential density range for this zone is twenty to thirty dwelling units per acre.

2. MX-2 (Mixed-Use Transit) Zone. The purpose of the MX-2 mixed-use transit zone is to provide for transitand pedestrian-oriented mixed-use development comprised of high density multi-unit developments (i.e., low-rise, mid-rise apartments, and condominiums). The focus of such development will be on centralized urban development along major corridors, interchanges, transit hubs, and throughout downtown Bakersfield, in conjunction with existing and planned transit facilities to support and maximize transit use. This zone is intended to encourage high quality integrated development consisting of residential and commercial uses in a horizontal and/or vertical arrangement to maximize open space of active and passive use and provide

The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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opportunities for place making. The residential density range for this zone is 30.1 to one hundred dwelling units per acre. (Ord. 5155 § 2, 2024)

A. Mixed-Use Zones Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements. Table 17.12-1 indicates the uses allowed within each mixed-use zone and any permits required to establish the use, in compliance with Chapter 17.08, General Regulations Including Site Plan Review.

B. Additional Regulations. Where the last column in Table 17.12-1 includes a chapter or section number, the regulations in the referenced chapter or section shall apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this zoning code, municipal code, and state law may also apply.

• C. Definitions. See Chapter 17.04, Definitions, for land use definitions and explanations.

• D. Uses Not Listed. Uses not listed below may be reviewed by the planning director to determine if they are similar to those listed and appropriate in this zone and if so, what type of permit is required.

The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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and
1502 1502 50801(e)
Additional Regulations 65582(d)
1597.622
—
17.65 17.12.040 17.04.160 Government Code Sections 1597.30 17.04.154.50 Health and Safety Code Section 17.04.154.50 Health and Safety Code Section Government Code Section Health and Safety Code Section
P P P P P P
MX-2 CUP CUP
P P P P P P
Permit Requirement by Zone MX-1 CUP CUP
P = Allowed by Right; DRA = Director Review and Approval; N = Not Allowed; CUP = Conditional Use Permit
Table 17.12-1. Mixed-Use Zones Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements
Key:
Land Use
Residential Uses Accessory Dwelling Unit (detached, attached, junior) Accessory Structure Assisted Living Facility Child Day Care Home Community Care Facility, Large (seven or more residents) Community Care Facility, Small (up to seven residents) Emergency Shelter Employee Housing, up to seven residents
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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(i)
65668 and
—
65660 65583.2(h)
65583.2(c)
Additional Regulations
17.04.330 17.63 Government Code Sections Housing developments on previous housing element sites shall be allowed by right when 20% or more of the units are designated for lower-income households and comply with Government Code Section Housing developments on rezoned sites for the 6th cycle housing element shall be allowed by right when 20% or more of the housing units are reserved for lower-income households. Must also meet minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre and comply with Government Code Sections
P P N P P P P
MX-2
P P P P P P
Permit Requirement by Zone MX-1 CUP
P = Allowed by Right; DRA = Director Review and Approval; N = Not Allowed; CUP = Conditional Use Permit
Key:
Land Use
Home Occupation Low Barrier Navigation Center Mobile Home Parks/Travel Trailer Parks Multi-Unit Dwellings (standalone or incorporated) Previously Developed Sites Rezoned Sites Single-Room Occupancy Units
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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65651 65651
Additional Regulations
Government Code Section Government Code Section 17.22.020 17.22.030 17.24.040 17.24.020 17.24.030 17.24.040
P P P
MX-2 n/a n/a n/a DRA CUP
P P P
Permit Requirement by Zone MX-1 DRA CUP n/a n/a n/a
P = Allowed by Right; DRA = Director Review and Approval; N = Not Allowed; CUP = Conditional Use Permit
Key:
Land Use
Supportive Housing Transitional Housing C-1 Neighborhood Commercial Zone Uses C-1 Uses Permitted C-1 Uses Permitted Subject to Planning Director Review and Approval C-1 Uses Permitted Only by Conditional Use Permit C-2 Regional Commercial Zone Uses C-2 Uses Permitted C-2 Uses Permitted Subject to Planning Director Review and Approval C-2 Uses Permitted Only by Conditional Use Permit
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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• (Ord. 5206 § 1, 2025; Ord. 5184 § 1, 2024; Ord. 5155 § 4, 2024)

A. Table 17.12-2, Mixed-Use Zone Development Standards. The intent of Table 17.12-2 is to clearly and precisely establish the basic site and structure regulations that apply to all developments in each of the mixed-use zones. The table also indicates where additional site and structure requirements, including, but not limited to, off-street parking, landscaping, signage, fences and obstructions, and performance standards, apply to mixed-use zones.

B. Density. Maximum density standards shall be consistent with this title, the general plan (or applicable master plan, specific plan, or area plan).

The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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10/15 5/15
Rear (ft.)
Side- (ft.) 5/10 0/10
Corner
Adjacent to:
Commercial Zone/
Noncommercial Zone
5/10 5/10
Setbacks (min. ft.)
Side (ft.)
0 0 Section or Chapter
Front (ft.)
3
N/A
Units
17.65
Between Accessory 17.08.130
17.12.040
Chapter Section
3
N/A
Units
Development Feature (min. ft.) Between Dwelling/ Accessory
Additional Regulations
(minimum unless otherwise specified) Distance between Structures Units 10 N/A
Between Dwelling
75 120
Height
(max. ft.)
(min feet) N/A N/A
Parcel square Regulation
Area per Dwelling
N/A N/A
Parcel square feet or acres)
Area (min
Zone MX-1 MX-2 Other
Applicable Regulation Accessory Dwelling Units Accessory Structures
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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Section or Chapter
17.61 17.14 17.58 17.60
17.08.180 17.08.110 17.08.125 17.08.170
Section Section Chapter Chapter Chapter Section Section Chapter
Additional Regulations
Regulation
Fences, Walls, and Hedges Height of Buildings Landscape Standards Multi-Unit Dwelling Objective Design Standards Off-Street Parking and Loading Street Setback Exceptions Yard Encroachments Signs
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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• (Ord. 5155 § 4, 2024)

• A. MX-1-Mixed-Use Neighborhood Zone. Additional Standards per the Allowable Uses in Table 17.12-2.

  1. Accessory Structures.

a. The accessory buildings or structures necessary for such use located on the same lot or parcel of land, including a storage garage for the exclusive use of the patrons and employees of the above stores or businesses.

2. Caretaker Unit.

   • a. Dwelling for use by caretaker or night security, or as accessory and incidental to the permitted use on the parcel.

Additional Development Standards per Those in Table 17.10-2.

3. Side Setback.

   • a. The side and side-corner setback shall be a minimum of ten feet when the lot abuts upon the side of a lot in any zone other than a commercial zone.

4. Rear Setback.

   • a. The rear setback shall be a minimum of fifteen feet when the lot abuts upon the side of a lot in any zone other than a commercial zone. If the lot abuts a commercial zone the rear setback can be ten feet.

5. Multi-Story Step-Backs.

   • a. A minimum step-back of three feet is required for all structures greater than two stories on all elevations of the structure on no less than sixty percent of the first story structure’s wall length.

6. Separation of Uses.

a. Commercial development proposed adjacent to property zoned or designated for residential development shall be required to be separated by a solid masonry wall constructed a minimum height of six feet from highest grade. Any wall located within or along the front yard area shall not exceed a height of four feet.

7. Rooftop Equipment.

The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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a. Rooftop areas of commercial structures shall be completely screened from view by parapets or other finished architectural features constructed to a height of the highest equipment and unfinished structural element or architectural feature of the building. This requirement shall apply to all new commercial construction and remodeling of existing commercial structures which involve a change of fifty percent or more of the roof structure or an addition of fifty percent or more to the floor area of the commercial structure.

8. Encroachments.

a. An encroachment permit is required for any sidewalk uses including, but not limited to those identified in Table 17.12-3.

Table 17.12-3. Mixed-Use Zone Setback Encroachments

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Regulation Section or Chapter
Sills, eaves, cornices, canopies, and other similar architectural Allowed in setback area
features 8 feet or more above surface grade
Movable tables, chairs, umbrellas, outdoor heaters (outdoor Allowed in setback area
seating) as allowed with an encroachment permit
Movable partitions or planters to define an outdoor seating Allowed in setback area
area
Bicycle racks Allowed in setback area
Trees and tree wells Allowed in setback area
Planters and planting beds extending not more than 18 inches Allowed in setback area
into the setback area and not more than 18 inches in height
above grade
Bay windows, on a foundation or cantilevered, chimneys, or Allowed in setback area
wells for basement windows or stairs, occupying in the
aggregate not more than 20 percent of the length of the side
of the structure on which they are located.
Utility structures Allowed in setback area
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• B. MX-2-Mixed-Use Transit Zone—Additional Development Standards per Those in Table 17.10-2.

1. Side Setback.

• a. The side and side-corner setback shall be a minimum of ten feet when the lot abuts upon the side of a lot in any zone other than a commercial zone.

The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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2. Rear Setback.

   • a. The rear setback shall be a minimum of fifteen feet when the lot abuts upon the side of a lot in any zone other than a commercial zone. If the lot abuts a commercial zone the rear setback can be five feet. (Ord. 5155 § 4, 2024)