Bakersfield Site Plan Requirements | Permits & Zoning Guide

By Site Plan Creator Team •

Everything you need to know about creating a site plan for building permits in Bakersfield, CA. Covers zoning requirements, setbacks, stormwater management, and submission procedures.

Bakersfield Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Bakersfield, California requires meeting specific requirements set by the Building Division within the Community Development Department. Bakersfield's development is governed by the Bakersfield Municipal Code (Title 17 — Zoning) and the Metropolitan Bakersfield General Plan, with considerations for agricultural land preservation, San Joaquin Valley air quality, water availability, and the region's seismic and subsidence risks.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Bakersfield Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. The Building Division requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Title 17 and the California Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through the Kern County GIS portal.

Required Site Plan Elements

  • Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
  • Setbacks per Title 17
  • Existing and proposed structures with dimensions, height, and use
  • Lot coverage calculation
  • Parking spaces per Title 17
  • Landscaping per the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO)
  • Drainage and grading
  • North arrow and scale
  • Kern County APN

Bakersfield Zoning and Setback Requirements

  • R-1 (Single-Family, 6,000 sq ft lot): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 50%. Height max 35 feet.
  • R-1 (Single-Family, 7,200 sq ft lot): Front 25 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 45%.
  • R-S (Residential Suburban, 10,000+ sq ft): Front 25 feet, side 10 feet, rear 25 feet. Lot coverage max 35%.
  • R-2 (Multi-Family, low): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 55%.
  • R-3 (Multi-Family, high): Front 20 feet, side 10 feet, rear 20 feet.
  • E (Estate, 1/2 acre+): Front 30 feet, side 15 feet, rear 25 feet.
  • Corner lots: Street-side setback is 15 feet for most residential zones.

ADU Requirements (California Statewide)

  • ADU and Junior ADU allowed on any residential lot per California law
  • Detached ADU: Up to 1,200 sq ft, 4-foot side/rear setbacks
  • Junior ADU: Up to 500 sq ft within existing structure
  • No parking required within 1/2 mile of transit
  • Ministerial approval: No discretionary review required for compliant ADUs

Water Efficient Landscaping

Bakersfield enforces California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO):

  • Landscape area threshold: Projects with 500+ sq ft of new or modified landscape must comply with WELO
  • Water budget: Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) calculated based on landscape area and climate data
  • Drought-tolerant plants: Required per WELO with irrigation efficiency standards
  • San Joaquin Valley climate: Hot, arid summers make water-efficient landscaping essential

San Joaquin Valley Air Quality Requirements

  • San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD): Regulates construction dust and emissions
  • Dust control plan: Required for projects disturbing 1+ acres
  • Rule 9510 (Indirect Source Review): Requires mitigation of construction and operational emissions for larger projects
  • CEQA air quality analysis: May be required for discretionary projects

Stormwater and Drainage

  • Stormwater management: Projects creating significant impervious surface must manage stormwater per the city's Stormwater Management Program
  • Drainage plan: Required for all new development showing how runoff is directed to approved drainage facilities
  • Flood zones: FEMA zones along the Kern River and other waterways
  • Subsidence: Groundwater pumping has caused land subsidence in parts of the San Joaquin Valley affecting drainage design

How to Submit

Online Portal

Submit through Bakersfield's online permitting portal at bakersfieldcity.us/permits.

In-Person

Walk-in at 1715 Chester Avenue, 3rd Floor.

Permit Fees and Timeline

  • Fees: Per Building Division fee schedule; includes development impact fees for transportation, parks, fire, police, and drainage
  • Timeline: Residential 2-4 weeks. Commercial 4-8 weeks.

Creating Your Bakersfield Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Bakersfield property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Building Division submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Bakersfield?
In R-1 zones (6,000 sq ft lots), front setbacks are 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet with 50% lot coverage. R-S suburban zones require 25-foot front and 10-foot side setbacks. E estate zones need 30-foot front and 15-foot side setbacks. Corner lots require 15-foot street-side setbacks.
Can I build an ADU in Bakersfield?
Yes, per California law. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft with 4-foot setbacks. Junior ADUs up to 500 sq ft. No parking within 1/2 mile of transit. Ministerial approval — no discretionary review for compliant ADUs.
What water-efficient landscaping is required?
California's WELO applies to projects with 500+ sq ft of new landscape. Maximum water budgets are calculated based on landscape area. Drought-tolerant plants required with efficient irrigation. Critical in Bakersfield's hot, arid climate.
What air quality requirements affect construction?
SJVAPCD regulates construction dust and emissions. Dust control plans required for 1+ acre projects. Rule 9510 requires emission mitigation for larger projects. CEQA air quality analysis may apply to discretionary projects.
What drainage and flood requirements exist?
Drainage plans required for all new development. FEMA flood zones along the Kern River. Stormwater management required for projects creating significant impervious surface. Land subsidence from groundwater pumping may affect drainage design.
Is my property in the city or county?
Bakersfield is surrounded by unincorporated Kern County. Properties outside city limits fall under Kern County jurisdiction with different zoning and permitting. Verify your jurisdiction through Kern County GIS before applying.
How do I submit plans?
Submit through the online portal at bakersfieldcity.us/permits. Walk-in at 1715 Chester Avenue, 3rd Floor. Residential permits take 2-4 weeks.
How long does plan review take?
Residential 2-4 weeks. Commercial 4-8 weeks. Bakersfield's review times are generally faster than coastal California cities. SJVAPCD review concurrent for larger projects.

How to Create a Site Plan in Bakersfield

  1. Look Up Your Property Information: Use Kern County GIS to find zoning, flood zone, and lot dimensions. Note your Kern County APN. Verify you're within Bakersfield city limits (not unincorporated county).
  2. Determine Requirements: Check setbacks, lot coverage, WELO landscape thresholds, SJVAPCD air quality requirements, and drainage/flood zone status.
  3. Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Bakersfield address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per Title 17.
  4. Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, WELO-compliant landscape plan, drainage features, and north arrow with scale.
  5. Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare WELO landscape documentation. Prepare drainage plan. For larger projects, prepare SJVAPCD dust control plan and Rule 9510 compliance.
  6. Submit Through Online Portal: Upload plans through bakersfieldcity.us/permits. Pay fees including impact fees.
  7. Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Once approved, pay remaining fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.