Bakersfield — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what Bakersfield's municipal zoning ordinance (Title 17) says about land use: which uses are allowed in each zone, which require planning director review or a conditional use permit (CUP), and the most decision‑relevant development standards (setbacks, height, minimum lot area). It is grounded in the city's Title 17 text and cites the controlling code sections. For site design items you will frequently need to coordinate with city rules for parking, development standards, design review, and overlay/combining zones listed under overlay districts.

IMPORTANT: this page covers only what Title 17 says about permitted/conditional uses and the zone-level development rules. For building code, structural or life‑safety approvals see the California Building Standards Code. For ADU-specific state rules consult the California ADU law and Bakersfield's local ADU page Bakersfield ADUs.

How Title 17 organizes land use

Title 17 sets a separate chapter for each zoning district (for example, C-B, C-2, M-2, R-1, etc.). Each chapter lists: the zone purpose, uses permitted (by right), uses allowed subject to planning director review, uses allowed only by conditional use permit, and “additional requirements” which pull in site plan review, landscaping, parking and sign chapters. See the general site‑plan rule at § 17.08.060 and exemptions at § 17.08.070.

Below are the district-by-district practical summaries you will use most often.

R-1 (Single‑Unit Dwelling)

• Purpose: low‑density single‑family neighborhoods; default zone for annexed/unclassified property. § 17.06.040 / zone list.
• Typical permitted uses: single‑unit dwellings, accessory residential structures, home occupations and certain community care uses per the residential allowed-uses table (Table 17.10‑1). § 17.10 (residential tables).
• Key dimensional standards: consult Table 17.10‑2 for minima (front/side/rear setbacks, height caps). Typical residential minima are shown in Table 17.10‑2 (e.g., front setback ≈ 15 ft for single‑unit in many R zones — see the table for exact lot sizes and exceptions). § 17.10.040 / Table 17.10‑2.
• Where it applies: citywide residential neighborhoods; unzoned property is classified R‑1 by default. § 17.06.050.
• Notes: conversions to multi‑unit or some social‑service uses can require director review or CUP per Table 17.10‑1. § 17.10.

R‑2 / R‑3 (Small‑lot single unit / Medium density multi‑unit)

• Purpose: allow small‑lot single family and moderate multi‑unit housing types. § 17.10 / multi‑unit objective standards.
• Uses: multi‑unit dwellings, condominiums, cluster developments, accessory uses and home occupations. See Table 17.10‑1 for permitted vs. CUP uses. § 17.10.
• Key dimensional standards: multi‑unit objective standards (internal connectivity, parking placement, landscaping and fence materials) apply; see 17.14.030 (R‑2/R‑3 standards). Examples: parking not allowed in front setback; one shade tree per six parking stalls for multi‑unit sites. § 17.14.030.
• Where it applies: medium density neighborhoods and sites identified for increased housing. Verify density/dimensional rules with Table 17.10‑2. § 17.10.

R‑4 / R‑5 / R‑6 (High to urban‑core density)

• Purpose: support higher-density multi‑unit housing, mixed‑use near transit where applicable. § 17.14.040 contains multi‑unit standards for R‑4 to R‑6 and MX zones (ground‑floor commercial design, circulation, glazing, trash enclosures).
• Uses: multi‑unit residential, limited ground‑floor commercial in mixed‑use design; some uses require director review or CUP per residential tables. § 17.10 / 17.14.
• Key dimensional standards: Table 17.10‑2 lists parcel area per dwelling, setbacks and max heights; MX zones have additional mixed‑use development standards under § 17.12.030.

C‑O (Professional & Administrative Office)

• Purpose: office districts and buffers between residential and regional commercial. § 17.20.010.
• Typical permitted uses: accounting, banks, clinics, professional offices, day care nurseries, government services. § 17.20.020 lists an extensive office/administrative use list.
• Review/CUP uses: some uses (religious institutions, schools, veterinary services etc.) are allowed only with a CUP or director review. § 17.20.030–040.
• Dimensional standards: C‑O chapter includes building height and yard rules (front/side/rear minimums and minimum lot area) — see § 17.20.060–110.

C‑1 / C‑2 / C‑C / C‑B (Neighborhood, Regional, Commercial Center, Central Business)

• Purpose: commercial districts with different scales — C‑1 for neighborhood retail/office, C‑2 for regional commercial and auto‑oriented uses, C‑C for centers, C‑B for the downtown core. See chapter headings 17.22, 17.24, 17.26, 17.25.
• Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurants, offices, lodging, personal services; C‑2 lists many CUP uses (auto repair, vehicle sales, movie theaters, kennels etc.). § 17.22.020; § 17.24.020; § 17.24.040.
• C‑B specifics: no maximum building height in § 17.25.060, and no minimum front/side/rear yard except where adjacent to residential zones (then 20 ft side/rear setback). § 17.25.060–070.
• C‑2 set‑backs: when abutting residential or MH zones commercial side/rear yards are 20 ft; corner street side yards 10 ft; otherwise no side/rear required. § 17.24.080–090.
• Common requirements: all commercial development is subject to site plan review, landscaping, off‑street parking and signs. § 17.24.050; § 17.25.050.

MX‑1 / MX‑2 (Mixed‑Use Neighborhood / Transit)

• Purpose: mixed‑use zones with explicit development standards (Table 17.12‑2) to govern street‑facing commercial, residential densities, and form‑based elements. § 17.12.030 and Table 17.12‑2.
• Uses: residential + retail/office at ground floor; permitted uses vary by MX subzone and can require director review for some uses. § 17.12.
• Key standards: maximum density is tied to the General Plan and the mixed‑use table; ground‑floor commercial areas are expected to meet design and ground‑floor ceiling height requirements (see 17.14 multi‑unit standards for ground‑floor commercial 15 ft minimum). § 17.12.030; § 17.14.040.

M‑1, M‑2, M‑3 (Industrial: Light / General / Heavy)

• Purpose: manufacturing, warehousing, and heavy industrial. Chapters 17.28–17.31.
• Uses: industrial production, warehousing, freight yards; many heavy uses are allowed only by CUP in M‑1 and M‑2. § 17.28.020–030; § 17.30.020–030.
• Key dimensional standards (M‑2 example): max building height 150 ft / 13 stories (M‑2 § 17.30.040); front setback 10 ft in M‑2 § 17.30.050; side/rear setbacks 20 ft where abutting R or MH zones. § 17.30.040–070.

PUD (Planned Unit Development) and PCD (Planned Commercial Development)

• Purpose: allow flexible, integrated design when combined with a base zone or used exclusively. § 17.52.010; § 17.54.010.
• Uses: PUD uses generally follow the base zone; PUD lists residential, parks, commercial incidental uses and recreational facilities. § 17.52.020.
• Application requirements: detailed preliminary development plan, density statements, landscaping and elevations required. § 17.52.030.

Special / Combining Zones and Overlays

• FP‑P / FP‑S (Floodplain primary/secondary): restrict types of development to protect life/property; single‑unit dwellings allowed only if elevated or protected; some uses are only allowed by CUP. § 17.42 / 17.44.
• AA (Airport Approach) and PE (Petroleum Extraction combining): overlay rules modify height, setbacks, and special procedures; where applied the base zone rules still apply except as modified. See § 17.45 and § 17.47.
• Consult overlay districts for map and local application.

Quick reference table — common, decision‑relevant rules

Practical synthesis & guidance (plain‑English engineering of the code)

• If your proposed project is a straightforward single‑family or accessory structure in R‑1, first check Table 17.10‑2 for setbacks and height and whether the activity is exempt from site plan review under § 17.08.070. If it’s not exempt, expect site plan review § 17.08.060.
• In commercial corridors, the difference between allowed and CUP uses matters: many consumption/assembly or industrial‑adjacent uses (bars, auto repair, kennels, recycling centers) are only allowed with a CUP — plan for discretionary hearings, conditions, and the city findings required in Chapter 17.64. See, for example, C‑2 CUP list at § 17.24.040.
• Downtown infill in the C‑B zone can push height and zero setbacks, but locations next to residential require 20 ft side/rear separation — take that into site layout and screening plans. § 17.25.060–070.
• For multi‑unit projects and mixed‑use schemes, expect objective standards under Chapter 17.14 (parking placement, landscaping, shading, pedestrian connectivity, and minimum ground‑floor ceiling heights for commercial). Use those standards to develop plans that can qualify for ministerial or director review where applicable. § 17.14.030–040.
• Wherever you see “subject to site plan review” or “additional requirements” in a zone chapter, those explicitly pull in landscaping (Chapter 17.61), off‑street parking and loading (Chapter 17.58), and signage (Chapter 17.60) — add those as separate checklist items and consult the corresponding chapters. See e.g., § 17.24.050 and § 17.25.050.

Checklist (what an applicant must typically satisfy)

• Confirm the subject parcel's zone on the City zoning map; if unzoned, it defaults to R‑1. § 17.06.050.
• Verify whether the proposed use is a permitted use, director‑review use, or needs a CUP in the applicable chapter (e.g., C‑2 § 17.24.020–040, C‑B § 17.25.020–040).
• Prepare site plans to comply with setbacks, max height and parcel minima (check Table 17.10‑2 or chapter‑specific yards like § 17.30.050).
• Address parking and freight loading requirements per Chapter 17.58 (use‑based parking schedule and loading rules).
• Provide landscaping and screening plans per Chapter 17.61 and landscaping and screening rules cited by zone chapters.
• Submit for site plan review (unless exempt) under § 17.08.060; if CUP or PUD required, prepare hearing materials per Chapter 17.64 or § 17.52 / 17.54.
• Coordinate design triggers with design review, historic resources if within an HD area, and sign permits per signage.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Bakersfield’s Title 17 prescribes which uses are allowed by zone, which need director review or a conditional use permit, and sets the dimensional/back‑of‑site rules (setbacks, heights, minimum lot area) in zone chapters and tables; most projects also must meet site plan review, parking, landscaping and sign chapters before the city will issue entitlements. For exact setbacks and numeric thresholds check the zone chapter or the residential Table 17.10‑2 and the mixed‑use Table 17.12‑2.

Source References

• Bakersfield Municipal Code, Title 17 (Zoning), residential uses tables and development standards (Table 17.10‑1 / 17.10‑2 / § 17.10.040).
• C‑O Professional & Administrative Office zone: § 17.20.010–110 (uses, yards, lot area).
• C‑1 Neighborhood Commercial: § 17.22.020–050 (uses and additional requirements).
• C‑2 Regional Commercial: § 17.24.020–110 (permitted/conditional uses; side/rear yard rules).
• C‑B Central Business: § 17.25.020–070 (uses; no maximum height; yard exceptions).
• C‑C Commercial Center: § 17.26.020–040 (uses and CUP list).
• M‑1/M‑2/M‑3 Industrial chapters, including M‑2 height and yard rules (§ 17.30.040–090).
• PUD and PCD zones and application standards (§ 17.52, § 17.54).
• Floodplain Secondary (FP‑S) zone uses and limitations (§ 17.44.010–070).
• Site plan review and prohibited uses (§ 17.08.050–070 / § 17.08.060).
• Parking and freight loading standards (Chapter 17.58; "Parking Space Requirements by Land Use" tables).

(For topic pages referenced on this site I linked the first natural mention of: parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, landscaping and screening, signage, Bakersfield ADUs, and California Building Standards Code.)

Information Gaps

• The ordinance extract included many tables and images that were partially rendered as images (Table 17.10‑1 / Table 17.10‑2 / mixed‑use tables). Some numeric values in the images are truncated in the retrieved text. Verify precise numeric setbacks, parcel minima, and the full land‑use matrix against the authoritative PDF or the planning counter.
• Official zoning map and parcel‑specific overlays are not included here — confirm zone/overlay for any parcel with Planning staff. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Local ADU chapter text was not clearly retrievable from the provided files; consult the city ADU page and state ADU law for controls that preempt or limit local rules. Not found in retrieved materials.

Retrieved passages

• Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 15) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (Chapter 17.61) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (Section 17.44.070) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (section in) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 214 (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 11) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Bakersfield Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Bakersfield Municipal Code, Title 17 (Zoning), residential uses tables and development standards (Table 17.10‑1 / 17.10‑2 / § 17.10.040). (Title 17)
• C‑O Professional & Administrative Office zone: **§ 17.20.010–110** (uses, yards, lot area). (§ 17.20.010)
• C‑1 Neighborhood Commercial: **§ 17.22.020–050** (uses and additional requirements). (§ 17.22.020)
• C‑2 Regional Commercial: **§ 17.24.020–110** (permitted/conditional uses; side/rear yard rules). (§ 17.24.020)
• C‑B Central Business: **§ 17.25.020–070** (uses; **no maximum height**; yard exceptions). (§ 17.25.020)
• C‑C Commercial Center: **§ 17.26.020–040** (uses and CUP list). (§ 17.26.020)
• M‑1/M‑2/M‑3 Industrial chapters, including M‑2 height and yard rules (**§ 17.30.040–090**). (§ 17.30.040)
• PUD and PCD zones and application standards (**§ 17.52**, **§ 17.54**). (§ 17.52)
• Floodplain Secondary (FP‑S) zone uses and limitations (**§ 17.44.010–070**). (§ 17.44.010)
• Site plan review and prohibited uses (**§ 17.08.050–070 / § 17.08.060**). (§ 17.08.050)
• Parking and freight loading standards (Chapter **17.58**; "Parking Space Requirements by Land Use" tables).
• Bakersfield_ZoningCode.md

• Official Bakersfield code library