Chapter 17.14 — Bakersfield Zoning Code

MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL OBJECTIVE SITE DESIGN STANDARDS

Sections:

17.14.010 Purpose and intent.
17.14.020 Required amenities for all multi-unit dwelling projects.
17.14.030 Multi-unit objective standards applicable to the R-2 and R-3 zones.
17.14.040 Multi-unit objective standards applicable to the R-4, R-5, R-6, MX-1, and MX-2 zones.

17.14.010 Purpose and intent. ¶

The purpose of multi-unit objective design standards is to provide developers with a clear understanding of the city’s expectations for all multi-unit residential project design. The design standards are written as objective requirements that use “shall” and “will” statements to confer mandatory compliance, opposed to the more permissive/subjective language. Accordingly, all multi-unit residential projects shall comply with each objective design standard. Importantly, the design standards regulate site and structure design only. All multi-unit residential projects are required to comply with all applicable building permit requirements, zoning ordinance requirements, development standards (e.g., ingress/egress, height and setbacks, drainage, etc.), and all other applicable city regulations. (Ord. 5156 § 2, 2024)

17.14.020 Required amenities for all multi-unit dwelling projects. ¶

A. Purpose. All multi-unit dwelling projects shall include a mixture of amenities and open space (private/public) components based on a points system. Proposed development as shown in Table 17.14-1 shall select amenities out of the list provided in Table 17.14-2 based on the required points for the size of the project.

B. Swimming Pool Requirements. Swimming pools are required for multi-unit residential developments with fiftyone or more dwelling units, in addition to the required amenities and points associated with each amenity in Tables 17.14-1 and 17.14-2.

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

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Table 17.14-1. Multi-Unit Dwelling Project Size and Required Amenities

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Size of Project (number Points Value
of dwelling units) (minimum)
1—10 25
11—25 75
26—50 125
51—100 150
101 and up 200
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Table 17.14-2. Multi-Unit Dwelling

Amenities Points System

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Points Value per
Type of Amenity
Amenity
Courtyard -
With seating and/or 25
tables for at least 4
people
With seating and/or 35
tables for at least 10
people
With seating and/or 50
tables for at least 20
people
Pergola, shade, trellis, or 15
arbor structure
(maximum height of 10
feet)
Tot lot with at least 3 35
pieces of play equipment
including slides, swings,
monkey bars, climbing
walls, etc.
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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Table 17.14-2. Multi-Unit Dwelling

Amenities Points System

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Points Value per
Type of Amenity
Amenity
Community garden with 20
at least five garden beds
measuring 25 square feet
each
Permanent affixed 15
barbecue (per barbeque
unit)
Outdoor kitchen with a 50
countertop, sink, an
appliance and seating
and tables for at least 10
people
Sports Courts -
Tennis Court 50
Pickleball Court 25
Basketball 50
Bocce ball 30
Swimming pool 80
Hot tub 40
Splash pad fountain no 25
smaller than 50 square
feet
Open lawn areas no 10
smaller than 100 sq. ft.
Amphitheater seating for 75
at least 25 people
Podium outdoor area 40
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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Table 17.14-2. Multi-Unit Dwelling

Amenities Points System

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Points Value per
Type of Amenity
Amenity
Rooftop outdoor area 65
Community room -
Library room with 20
bookshelves and
seating for at least 5
people
Media room with 25
television and seating
for at least 10 people
Game room with a 35
least 2 game tables or
consoles
Gathering room with 50
countertop, cabinets,
and sink
Gym/fitness room with 50
at least 5 pieces of gym
equipment
Co-working space with 75
wi-fi, tables and
seating for at least 8
people, and a
bathroom
Bicycle lockers 20
Package lockers 10
On-site laundry facilities 20
Pet washing stations for 20
up to a minimum of two
50 lb dogs
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The Bakersfield Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 5214, passed April 8, 2026.

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Table 17.14-2. Multi-Unit Dwelling

Amenities Points System

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Points Value per
Type of Amenity
Amenity
Fenced dog park with -
trash can
Measuring at least 50 25
feet by 20 feet
Measuring at least 100 45
feet by 20 feet with a
dog waste bag
dispenser and dog
water fountain.
Yoga room 10
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(Ord. 5156 § 2, 2024)

17.14.030 Multi-unit objective standards applicable to the R-2 and R-3 zones. ¶

A. Connectivity.
1. Vehicular Circulation.

a. Parking areas shall be internally connected and shall use shared driveways within the development. This standard applies only within the development. Developments are not required to share driveways with neighboring properties.

b. Parking areas shall not be located in the front setback area.

c. Side and rear parking areas visible from a street shall include a minimum two-foot landscape buffer including a planting strip; a screening feature, such as a hedge, that is three feet high; and trees planted every thirty lineal feet. Trees, hedges, and shrubs shall be classified as very low (0—0.1) or low (0.1—0.3) in the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species Classification System (WUCOLS) and shall be of evergreen variety to provide screening throughout the year.

d. Parking Lot Shade.
- i. One shade tree shall be planted for every six parking spaces.

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

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ii. A minimum of fifty percent of the trees shall be deciduous, as they provide shade in the summer and sun in the winter.

  - iii. Covered parking areas with solar capture technology are exempt from this requirement.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Circulation.
- a. All structures, facilities, parking areas, amenities, and common areas shall be internally connected by pedestrian pathways.

b. Pedestrian pathways shall be separated from parking areas by landscaping, curbs, or other edge treatments.

c. Pedestrian pathways shall be directly connected to adjacent public sidewalks on each street frontage.

Fences and Walls.
- a. The following materials are prohibited for all fences and walls:
  - i. Electrified fencing;
  - ii. Barb wire/razor wire;
  - iii. Fencing using other sharp objects such as spires and glass;
  - iv. Cyclone fencing;
  - v. Vinyl; and
  - vi. Chain link;

vii. Materials not originally intended as fencing materials, such as pallets, corrugated metal or fiberglass, plywood or particle board sheeting, plastic tarps, sailcloth, etc.

Glazing.

a. Structures shall incorporate the use of energy efficient glazing on windows and glass doors to reduce heat loss and gain.

Multi-Unit Dwellings Trash and Recycling Enclosures.
- a. Trash and recycling enclosures shall include the following:
  - i. Constructed with masonry walls with finished metal doors. Masonry walls and metal doors shall be painted in accordance with the approved color palette for the project.
  - ii. Both a vehicle access gate and pedestrian access gate.

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

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iii. Downward lighting for safety and security.

Multi-Unit Dwelling Storage Spaces.

a. A minimum of ten square feet (eighty cubic feet) of outdoor storage space accessible from each unit’s ground floor patio or upper floor balcony shall be provided for all units.
- b. Outdoor storage areas shall be covered and able to be locked.

Outdoor Lighting.
- a. Pedestrian-oriented lighting shall be provided in active pedestrian areas (i.e., paseos, sidewalks, pathways, etc.).

b. Lighting for upper floor unit entries and exposed stairways shall be completely directed at the structure so that the illuminated bulb is not visible from neighboring residential properties at ground level.

c. Pedestrian pathway lighting features shall not exceed eight feet in height.
d. Lighting in parking areas shall not exceed sixteen feet in height.
e. Active pedestrian areas shall incorporate freestanding lighting separate from structures.
f. Bicycle parking areas shall be illuminated.
g. Pedestrian pathways shall have illumination levels of 0.5 foot-candles as a maintained minimum at the walking surface to identify any level changes or changes in walking conditions.
h. Overhead sports court lighting shall illuminate only the intended area.
i. Light trespass onto neighboring lots is prohibited.
j. Outdoor lighting shall use energy efficient lighting technology and shall be shielded downward to reduce glare and light pollution.

k. Gateway entry signs, directional signs, and unit and structure identifiers shall be externally illuminated for visibility at night.

l. Exposed bulbs are prohibited.
m. Colored bulbs and lenses are prohibited.

Primary Structure Entrances.
- a. Entry Lighting.
  - i. All primary structure entrances shall include dusk to dawn lighting for safety and security.

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

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b. Interior-Facing Structures.

i. The primary entrance of each interior-facing structure shall be oriented to paseos, courtyards, pathways, and active landscape areas.

ii. For safety, units not facing the street shall be oriented to provide visual access to entryways, pedestrian pathways, recreation areas, and common facilities from private dwelling units.

c. Street-Facing Structures.
- i. Structures at the street shall have a front entry oriented to the street.

Property Access.

a. If parking facilities are provided, there shall be vehicular access from a dedicated and improved street, easement, or alley to off-street parking facilities.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

a. To provide “eyes on the street” surveillance, the largest window or group of windows of a minimum of one of the following rooms shall view the street: living room, dining room, family room, or kitchen.

b. Units not facing the street shall be oriented to provide visual access to structure entries, pedestrian pathways, recreation areas, and common facilities from dwelling units.

c. Drainpipes, parapets, and ledges shall not be located within three feet of windows, corridors, and balconies. If such placement is not feasible, they shall face parking lots, public spaces, and roads.

11. Signs.

a. Entryways, structure addresses, amenities, and individual units shall be identified with signage.

b. Developments with more than one structure containing dwelling units shall also include directory signs in parking areas and along pedestrian pathways.

c. All signs shall comply with Chapter 17.60 of this code.

12. Structure Orientation.

a. Structures shall incorporate parcel design measures that reduce heating and cooling needs by orienting structures (both common facilities and private dwelling units) on the parcel to reduce heat loss and gain depending on the time of day and season of the year. (Ord. 5156 § 4, 2024)

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

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17.14.040 Multi-unit objective standards applicable to the R-4, R-5, R-6, MX-1, and MX-2 zones. ¶

A. Connectivity.

Vehicular Circulation.

b. Parking areas shall not be located in the front setback area.

c. Side and rear parking areas visible from a street shall include a minimum two foot landscaped buffer including a planting strip; a screening feature, such as a hedge, that is three feet high; and trees planted every thirty lineal feet. Trees, hedges, and shrubs shall be classified as very low (0—0.1) or low (0.1—0.3) in the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species Classification System (WUCOLS) and shall be of evergreen variety to provide screening throughout the year.

d. Parking Lot Shade.

i. One shade tree shall be planted for every six parking spaces. A minimum of fifty percent of the trees shall be deciduous, as they provide shade in the summer and sun in the winter.

ii. Covered parking areas with solar capture technology are exempt from this requirement.

2. Pedestrian Circulation.

a. All structures, facilities, parking areas, amenities, and common areas shall be internally connected by pedestrian pathways.

b. Pedestrian pathways shall be separated from parking areas by landscaping, curbs, or other edge treatments.

c. Pedestrian pathways shall be directly connected to adjacent public sidewalks on each street frontage.

3. Glazing.

a. Structures shall incorporate the use of energy efficient glazing on windows and glass doors to reduce heat loss and gain.

Ground Floor Commercial Spaces.
- a. Mixed-used structures with nonresidential ground floor uses shall design the ground floor with minimum fifteen-foot ceiling height to accommodate a variety of uses.

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

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Fences and Walls.
- a. The following materials are prohibited for all fences and walls:
  - i. Electrified fencing;
  - ii. Barb wire/razor wire;
  - iii. Fencing using other sharp objects such as spires and glass;
  - iv. Cyclone fencing;
  - v. Vinyl; and
  - vi. Chain link;

vii. Materials not originally intended as fencing materials, such as pallets, corrugated metal or fiberglass, plywood or particle board sheeting, plastic tarps, sailcloth, etc.

Outdoor Lighting.

a. Pedestrian-oriented lighting shall be provided in active pedestrian areas (i.e., paseos, sidewalks, pathways, etc.)

c. Pedestrian pathway lighting features shall not exceed eight feet in height.
d. Lighting in parking areas shall not exceed sixteen feet in height.
e. Active pedestrian areas shall incorporate freestanding lighting separate from structures.
f. Bicycle parking areas shall be illuminated.
g. Pedestrian pathways shall have illumination levels of 0.5 foot-candles as a maintained minimum at the walking surface to identify any level changes or changes in walking conditions.

h. Overhead sports court lighting shall illuminate only the intended area. Light trespass onto neighboring lots is prohibited.

i. Outdoor lighting shall use energy efficient lighting technology and shall be shielded downward to reduce glare and light pollution.
j. Gateway entry signs, directional signs, and unit and structure identifiers shall be externally illuminated for visibility at night.

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

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k. Exposed bulbs are prohibited.
l. Colored bulbs and lenses are prohibited.

Multi-Unit Dwelling Storage Spaces.

a. A minimum of ten square feet (eighty cubic feet) of outdoor storage space accessible from each unit’s ground floor patio or upper floor balcony shall be provided for all units.

b. Outdoor storage areas shall be covered and able to be locked.

Parking Structures.

a. If parking structures are proposed as part of the multi-unit residential development, the parking structure openings on each level shall be screened with decorative paneling or vertical vegetation (e.g., vines).

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

b. Units not facing the street shall be oriented to provide visual access to structure entries, pedestrian pathways, recreation areas, and common facilities from dwelling units.

c. Drainpipes, parapets, and ledges shall not be located within three feet of windows, corridors, and balconies. If such placement is not feasible, they shall face parking lots, public spaces, and roads.

10. Screening.

a. All screening of ground-mounted and roof-mounted equipment shall be painted in accordance with the approved color palette for the project.

11. Signs.

a. Entryways, structure addresses, amenities, and individual units shall be identified with signage. Developments with more than one structure containing dwelling units shall also include directory signs in parking areas and along pedestrian pathways.

b. All signs shall comply with Chapter 17.60 of this code.

Street-facing facade transparency.

a. Mixed-use structures with ground floor commercial uses shall have windows that make up a minimum of sixty percent of the ground floor frontage.

Structure Entry.

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

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a. All structures located adjacent to a street shall have at least one primary entry door facing the sidewalk.
b. All ground floor entrances shall include a direct connection to the sidewalk.
c. Exterior stairways/stairwells that are not enclosed shall not be visible from the public right-of-way.

14. Trash and Recycling Enclosures.

a. All trash and recycling enclosures shall include the following:
- i. Constructed with masonry walls with finished metal doors. Masonry walls and metal doors shall be painted in accordance with the color palette submitted for the project.
- ii. Both a vehicle access gate and pedestrian access gate.
- iii. Downward lighting for safety and security.
- iv. Separated from adjacent parking stalls by a minimum three-foot-wide planter with low growing native plants. (Ord. 5156 § 4, 2024)