Local zoning · Bakersfield

Bakersfield — Design Review

Q: Which zones are exempt from site plan review?

The code lists exemptions including uses permitted in the R-1 , R-S , RH , A , A-20A , FP-P and FP-S zones for many small residential uses; see § 17.08.070 for the exemption list and details.

Q: If my property is in a PCD, what extra design materials do I need?

For an exclusive PCD you must submit a preliminary development plan with the same information required by § 17.08.080(A)(3) (site plan checklist), typically including scaled plans, elevations, landscaping, grading/topography, and color renderings (§ 17.54.030–050 ).

Design Review under the Bakersfield local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains how Bakersfield handles design review for development through its site-plan and development-plan processes, where design control is implemented as part of site plan review and planned-development approvals (§ 17.08.060, § 17.08.080). It summarizes who reviews design (the development services director, the planning director and the site plan review committee), which zone districts trigger review, and the specific design standards applicants must meet. For related topics see the city's pages on parking, development standards, overlay districts, ADUs and the California Building Standards Code.

How Bakersfield organizes "Design Review" in Title 17

"Design review" in Bakersfield is implemented primarily through the site plan approval process; no separate stand‑alone “Design Review Board” ordinance is present in the retrieved materials — design review controls are bundled into Chapter 17.08 (General Regulations including Site Plan Review) and into the PUD/PCD planned‑development chapters (§ 17.08.060, § 17.08.080, § 17.52.030, § 17.54.030) .
Who decides: The development services director (with referral comments from the site plan review committee consisting of the planning director, building director, fire chief and public works director) may approve, conditionally approve or deny the site plan; appeals are to the planning commission and then the city council (§ 17.08.080B and § 17.08.080E) .
What "design" means: Bakersfield’s rules require submission of elevations, materials/finishes, landscaping, screening of rooftop and mechanical equipment and other design elements, and for retail projects impose specific façade composition standards (§ 17.08.080A; § 17.08.140(D)) .
When it applies: Site plan approval is required for new buildings, changes of use and most enlargements; certain residential-permitted uses in small residential zones are expressly exempt (§ 17.08.060, § 17.08.070) .

District-by-district breakdown (how design review is applied)

Note: each subsection lists the ordinance chapter(s) governing the district, the design-review trigger, typical uses, and the key dimensional or design standards found in the retrieved materials. If a numeric standard was not located in the retrieved excerpts for a district, the entry says "Not found in retrieved materials" and points to the chapter that would contain the full numeric standards.

C-O (Professional & Administrative Office) — C-O

Purpose: Office/professional uses (Chapter 17.20) and to accommodate administrative/professional services in appropriate locations (§ 17.20.) .
Typical permitted uses: Professional offices and similar administrative services (see Chapter 17.20 for full list). Development in C-O is subject to site plan review (§ 17.20.050 references site plan review obligations) .
Key dimensional / design standards (decision-relevant):
- Building height: maximum 60 ft (about 4 stories) (§ 17.20.060) .
- Front yard: 10 ft minimum (§ 17.20.070) .
- Side / rear yards: where abutting residential/PUD: 20 ft; street-side corner yard 10 ft (§ 17.20.080, § 17.20.090) .
Where it applies: See the zoning map and Chapter 17.20 for location; development must meet site‑plan and landscaping standards (§ 17.20.050, cross‑ref § 17.08.080 and Chapter 17.61) .

C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) — C-1

Purpose & uses: Local-scale retail and services (Chapter 17.22). Projects in commercial zones are subject to site plan review (§ 17.22.050 / cross‑ref) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials for specific numeric rules in the excerpt provided; see Chapter 17.22 for full lot and setback requirements. Design obligations include compliance with retail design standards in § 17.08.140 when retail components are involved .
Where it applies: Neighborhood shopping streets and nodes; design review imposed via site plan review (Chapter 17.08) .

C-2 (Regional Commercial) — C-2

Purpose & uses: Larger retail, auto‑oriented and regional commercial uses (Chapter 17.24). All permitted/conditional uses are subject to site plan review (§ 17.24.050) .
Key dimensional / design standards: Retail and large commercial developments must meet the retail design standards at § 17.08.140 (façade articulation, materials/texture/color breaks, projection/recess requirements) .
Where it applies: Major commercial corridors; site plan review will evaluate parking, landscaping and façades together with Chapters 17.58, 17.61, 17.60 (§ 17.24.050) .

C-B (Central Business) — C-B

Purpose: Downtown / core commercial with emphasis on urban intensity and public amenities (Chapter 17.25) .
Typical uses: Broad mix of commercial uses; some uses require planning‑director review or a conditional use permit (§ 17.25.030–040) .
Key dimensional/design standards:
- No maximum building height in C-B (i.e., unlimited) (§ 17.25.060) .
- No minimum yards generally; but when abutting residential/PUD single‑unit there is a 20 ft minimum side/rear setback (§ 17.25.070) .
- Rooftop equipment must be screened; public benefit features (plazas, open space) are encouraged (§ 17.25.050, § 17.25.090) .
How design review works here: All development in C-B is subject to site plan review under Chapter 17.08; downtown projects are commonly conditioned to provide public benefit features under § 17.25.090 .

PUD (Planned Unit Development) — PUD

Purpose: Enables flexible, integrated site design and customized standards; design and architectural controls are central to approval (Chapter 17.52) .
Typical process: Requires preliminary and final development plans with detailed site and elevation drawings; review is at public hearing (planning commission) for combining uses and may include conditions altering numeric standards (§ 17.52.030, § 17.52.050, § 17.52.060) .
Key design authority: The planning commission/city council may approve standards more or less restrictive than the rest of Title 17 (including architectural design and lot/yard/height rules) in order to preserve cohesiveness (§ 17.52.060) .
Where it applies: Large integrated residential or mixed projects; final development plan becomes part of the zoning ordinance for the site (§ 17.52.040) .

PCD (Planned Commercial Development) — PCD

Purpose: Like PUD but for commercial centers, allowing cohesive and flexible commercial design (Chapter 17.54) .
Key process & review: Preliminary and final development plans are required when the PCD is exclusive; site plan review committee and planning commission review are used; development plans must include all information required by § 17.08.080 (§ 17.54.030–050) .
Where design standards live: PCD approvals incorporate project‑specific design standards into the zoning for the parcel; see § 17.54.020–050 for required submittals and the decision process .

OS (Open Space) — OS

Purpose & uses: Parks, preservation and limited recreational facilities (Chapter 17.37) .
Design triggers: Any development proposed in OS that is a permitted or conditional use remains subject to site plan review (§ 17.37.060) .
Dimensional standards: Not enumerated in the retrieved excerpts; see Chapter 17.37 for specifics.

Decision‑relevant quick table

Topic / District	What matters most to design review	Code reference
Site plan required	New building, change of use, enlargements — site plan approval required before construction (§ 17.08.060)	§ 17.08.060
Exemptions	Small residential permitted uses in R-1, R-S, RH, A, A-20A, FP-P, FP-S are exempt from site plan review (§ 17.08.070)	§ 17.08.070
Retail façade standards	Façade articulation, color/texture/material changes, no uninterrupted walls >100 ft for retail projects subject to site plan review (§ 17.08.140(D))	§ 17.08.140
C-O setbacks & height	10 ft front; 20 ft side/rear when adjacent to residential; 60 ft height limit (§ 17.20.070–090, § 17.20.060)	§ 17.20.070–090, § 17.20.060
C-B height & yards	No maximum height; no minimum yards except 20 ft side/rear where abutting residential/PUD (§ 17.25.060–070)	§ 17.25.060–070
PUD/PCD project plans	Detailed preliminary & final development plans, elevations, color renderings, 3D graphics may be required (§ 17.52.030, § 17.54.030, § 17.66.040)	§ 17.52.030, § 17.54.030, § 17.66.040

Checklist

Confirm whether the proposed project requires site plan approval (any new construction, change of use, enlargement) — see § 17.08.060 .
Prepare site plan packet per § 17.08.080(A): scaled site plan, elevations, floor plans, off‑site improvements, CEQA info and required checklists (including hazardous materials/fire marshal items) .
For retail/commercial projects, include façade materials, color/texture changes and articulation to meet § 17.08.140(D) .
Where applicable (PUD/PCD), submit full preliminary development plan with color renderings and required plan elements under § 17.52.030 / § 17.54.030 .
Include landscaping plans consistent with Chapter 17.61, and parking plans consistent with Chapter 17.58 (both are required attachments for many zone chapters) .
If rooftop or mechanical equipment is visible, show screening/parapet details (required in multiple chapters, e.g., § 17.25.050, § 17.20. provisions) .
Expect referral to the site plan review committee (planning director, building director, fire chief, public works) and allow time for appeals (10 days to appeal director decisions) (§ 17.08.080B and E) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Ambiguity whether a small residential project needs site plan review	§ 17.08.070(A) lists many residential-permitted uses as exempt; small projects may still trigger other reviews (e.g., ADUs, building permit)	Confirm whether the proposal is a permitted use in R-1/R-S/RH and whether it meets the exemption language in § 17.08.070; verify with the planning director.
Exact numeric standards for some zones not present in excerpt	District chapters exist (e.g., 17.22, 17.24) but full numeric rules may not be in the retrieved snippets	Pull full chapter text for the subject zone (verify front/side/rear setbacks, lot coverage, FAR).
Retail design thresholds (when § 17.08.140 applies)	§ 17.08.140(B) applies citywide to retail but includes special application in Northeast Bakersfield; the threshold for expansions is tied to GFA increases (§ 17.08.140(C))	Determine if the project is “retail development” as defined and whether expansions are >50% or >50,000 SF which triggers the standards.
PUD / PCD approvals change standards	PUD/PCD approvals can make standards more or less restrictive; the approved plan becomes part of the zoning for the site (§ 17.52.040, § 17.54.020)	For sites in PUD/PCD, obtain the approved preliminary/final plan and read conditions thoroughly; verify expiration and commencement timelines (§ 17.52.080, § 17.54.080) .

Plain‑English summary

If you're building or changing the use of land in Bakersfield, expect design review as part of the city's site plan process: you must submit plans, elevations and landscape details, the planning director and a city review committee evaluate design against zone standards and retail‑design rules, and certain small residential uses are exempt (§ 17.08.060–080, § 17.08.140, § 17.08.070) .

Source References

Bakersfield Municipal Code, Title 17 (Zoning), Chapter 17.08 — General regulations and site plan review, including § 17.08.060, § 17.08.070, § 17.08.080, § 17.08.140 .
Chapter 17.20 — C-O zone standards (building height, yards) (§ 17.20.060–110) .
Chapter 17.22 / 17.24 — C-1 and C-2 commercial chapters; see § 17.24.050 re: site plan review and cross‑references to § 17.08.140 .
Chapter 17.25 — C-B (Central Business) permitted/conditional uses and design requirements, including § 17.25.050–090, § 17.25.060–070 on height/yards .
Chapter 17.52 — PUD planned unit development application and latitude to set project‑specific architectural standards (§ 17.52.030–070) .
Chapter 17.54 — PCD planned commercial development procedures and required development plans (§ 17.54.010–050) .
Development plan content rules (required exhibits: topo, grading, drainage, reports) — § 17.66.040 .

Sources

Retrieved passages

Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Section 17.08.080B5.) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Chapter 17.64) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Chapter 17.64) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (chapter would) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (chapter or) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance
Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 17.32.030) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Bakersfield code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I need design review in Bakersfield for a new commercial building?

Yes. A new commercial building or change of use that requires construction is subject to site plan approval and design review through Chapter 17.08; see § 17.08.060 (site plan required) and the retail design rules at § 17.08.140 for façade standards.

What does Bakersfield require me to submit for site plan/design review?

The application packet must include a fee, completed form, scaled site plan, elevations and floor plans, and off‑site improvements; it must also provide sufficient CEQA information and any special checklists (e.g., fire/hazard lists) required by § 17.08.080(A).

Which zones are exempt from site plan review?

The code lists exemptions including uses permitted in the R-1, R-S, RH, A, A-20A, FP-P and FP-S zones for many small residential uses; see § 17.08.070 for the exemption list and details.

What retail façade or architectural rules will the city enforce?

Retail developments subject to site plan review must follow § 17.08.140(D): facades over 100 ft must have projections/recesses, façade elements (color/texture/material changes, bays) at intervals and other articulation and glazing standards. Verify thresholds in § 17.08.140(C) for when expansions are subject to these rules.

Can a PUD/PCD change the development standards for design?

Yes. Approved PUD or PCD preliminary/final development plans can adopt site‑specific standards that are more or less restrictive than the rest of the code (including architectural design). The approved plan is incorporated into the zoning for the site (§ 17.52.060, § 17.54.020).

Are rooftop mechanicals and antennas subject to design controls?

Yes. Rooftop equipment must be screened from public view in multiple zones (see § 17.25.050(F) and related zone rules); wireless facilities have their own chapter with development and screening standards (Chapter 17.59) and director review procedures (§ 17.59.030).

How long does site plan approval last before it expires?

Approved site plans expire if building permits are not issued and construction not commenced within two years of approval; full project completion must occur within five years; the planning director can grant a one‑year extension under conditions (§ 17.08.080(D)).

Who sits on the site plan review committee and how are their comments used?

The site plan review committee is the planning director, building director, fire chief and public works director (or their designees); they review referrals and provide comments to the planning director and development services director, who make the decision (§ 17.08.080B(2–4)).

If my property is in a PCD, what extra design materials do I need?

For an exclusive PCD you must submit a preliminary development plan with the same information required by § 17.08.080(A)(3) (site plan checklist), typically including scaled plans, elevations, landscaping, grading/topography, and color renderings (§ 17.54.030–050).

Do parking rules affect design review?

Yes. Off‑street parking and loading are enforced in tandem with site plan/design review (Chapters 17.58 and 17.08 are cross‑referenced in the zone chapters); parking layout, pedestrian connections and landscaping around parking are decision‑relevant (§ 17.24.050, § 17.14.040 for multi‑unit standards)

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