Bakersfield Municipal Code Ch. 14.24 Privies

Sections: 14.24.010 Definitions. 14.24.020 Permit required. 14.24.030 Conditions under which permitted—Permit expiration. 14.24.040 Construction specifications. 14.24.050 Pits. 14.24.060 Location in relation to other buildings. 14.24.070 Existing privies. 14.24.080 Required at outdoor exhibitions—Separate privies for each sex.

When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning specified in this section, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

A. “Health officer” means the duly appointed and acting health officer of the county while performing the duties of health officer in the city, or such person as may hereafter, by law, be authorized to perform the duties now being performed by that official in the city.

B. “Privy” means a structure used as a toilet under a part of all of which is a vault or pit intended for the reception of human waste matter. (Prior code § 8.76.010)

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to construct, place, or maintain, or to allow, permit or suffer to be constructed, placed or maintained in the city, any privy as defined in subsection B of Section 14.24.010 without first obtaining a permit from the health officer, and then only for the purposes set forth in Section 14.24.030. (Prior code § 8.76.020)

A. The health officer may issue permits for the construction or placing of privies within the city for temporary use by construction workers, carnivals, circuses, public gatherings and under such other circumstances where in the sound judgment of the health officer it is deemed to be for the best interests of public health and sanitation to issue such permits.

B. Every such permit shall expire thirty days from the date of issuance by the health officer, but may be renewed for like periods of thirty days in the discretion of the health officer. (Prior code § 8.76.030)

A. Every privy, where permitted, shall be of durable materials and all cracks or ventilating openings in the structure shall be effectively battened or covered with wire screening not larger than sixteen mesh.

B. Every such structure shall be provided with a door, which door shall be equipped with a spring or similar device, or so hung that it will close of its own accord when not in use.

C. Hinged covers shall be placed and maintained over all seat holes and so installed and so maintained that they will close tightly over the seat holes of their own accord when not in use. (Prior code § 8.76.040)

A. All privies shall be placed over a pit of not less than forty-eight inches in depth, and said privies shall be located and maintained over such pits in a manner that will prevent the ingress and egress of flies and other insects.

B. All such pits shall be provided with ventilator openings directly into the pit, and extending above the roof of the privy.

C. Such openings shall be effectively screened with wire screening as provided in Section 14.24.040.

D. When the excreta in any privy comes within two feet of the surface, the pit shall be disinfected and filled with dry earth in such a manner that will prevent the escape of obnoxious or offensive odors and prevent insects, animals and persons from coming in contact therewith. (Prior code § 8.76.050)

Any privy hereafter constructed or placed, shall be set as far from any human habitation or any place where food or drink for human consumption is located as can reasonably be done, having due regard to the size and dimensions of the property upon which the privy is to be installed, but in no event less than thirty feet from such human habitation or place where food or drink for human consumption is located. (Prior code § 8.76.060)

Every person, firm or corporation now maintaining a privy in the city, shall obtain a permit from the health officer and shall cause said privy to conform to the requirements of Sections 14.24.040 and 14.24.050, within five days after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. (Prior code § 8.76.070)

A. Every person, firm or corporation conducting or maintaining any carnival, circus, tent show, exhibition, contest, marathon, or revival, or any other function or activity which is similarly attended by large numbers of persons shall provide, within reasonable access a number of water closets or temporary privies as shall, in the opinion of the health officer, be sufficient for the use of members of the public attending such function or activity.

B. Separate water closets or privies shall be provided for the use of each sex, which shall be plainly so designated.

C. No person shall use, or be allowed to use, any water closet or privy assigned to persons of the opposite sex. (Prior code § 8.76.080)

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

Disclaimer: The city clerk has the official version of the Bakersfield Municipal Code. Users should contact the city clerk for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: www.bakersfieldcity.us City Telephone: (661) 326-3000

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