Bakersfield is one of the fastest-growing cities in California — and with that growth comes a steady stream of construction projects. Whether you’re breaking ground on a new subdivision, modernizing a downtown commercial space, or installing rooftop solar to beat the Central Valley heat, you’ll likely need a building permit before the work begins.
Getting a building permit in Bakersfield doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This guide walks you through the essentials, including Bakersfield building permit requirements, costs, the application process, and where to find the right forms, so you can keep projects moving and avoid costly delays.
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What requires a building permit in Bakersfield?
By default, a building permit is required for the following types of work:
- Any new construction, including houses, additions, garages, or accessory buildings
- Renovations, alterations, repairs, or demolition, including activities like reroofing, installing HVAC systems, or modifying the building structure
- Changes to building systems, including plumbing, electrical, or mechanical installations and upgrades. kernpublicworks.com
- Signs, fences, pools, and site modifications
What doesn’t require a building permit in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield follows the California Building Code exemptions (CBC §105.2), which means that certain types of construction and repairs do not require a building permit.
These projects include:
- Small storage sheds, tool sheds, and playhouses that are one-story detached structures with a floor area of 120 square feet or less
- Masonry or concrete fences not over 3 feet high, and all other fences not over 6 feet high (some jurisdictions allow up to 7 feet)
- Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall), unless supporting extra weight or holding back liquids
- Painting (except fire-retardant paint), wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, floor covering, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work
- Temporary decorative lighting, plug-in lamps, replacement of same-capacity circuit breakers, low-voltage (<25 V, <50 W) devices
- Repair or clearing of leaks/stoppages, moving or reinstalling water closets without rerouting pipes
- Portable or self-contained heating, cooling, or ventilation units; refrigeration systems with <10 lb refrigerant, <1 HP motors
Who oversees permits in Bakersfield?
The City of Bakersfield Building Division manages plan review, permitting, and inspections.
- Address: 1715 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Phone number: (661) 326-3720
For work outside city limits, a Bakersfield building permit search is done via Kern County Public Works – Building Inspection.
Bakersfield building permit fees
Bakersfield building permit fees vary based on the project value and the type of work you’re doing. Here are examples of both residential and commercial fees:
Residential fees
Commercial fees
You can view more details on Bakersfield’s permit fee schedule.
Bakersfield trade permits
Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits
Permit fees for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical trade work are priced based on whether the project requires multiple inspections or plan check. Fees are also slightly different between residential vs. commercial projects.
Residential trades projects
Commercial trades projects
Roofing permits
Roofing permits are required for re-roofs.
Residential fees
Commercial fees
To get more information, refer to the City of Bakersfield's proposed master fee schedule page.
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How to get a building permit in Bakersfield
Step 1: Determine project requirements
First, match the scope to CBC, zoning, and City submittal packets.
Common exemptions (confirm with staff before starting) include:
- Sheds <120 sq ft and <12 ft height (no electrical/plumbing)
- Fences <6 ft in residential zones (<7 ft for certain exemptions)
- Retaining walls <4 ft (not supporting surcharge)
Key resources to use here:
- ICC Digital Codes for building code requirements
- Bakersfield Zoning Regulations (Title 17)
- California Building Code (CBC)
Step 2: Prepare submission
Prepare the following documents:
- Bakersfield building permit application (completed fully)
- Architectural plans (site plan, floor plans, elevations)
- Structural plans/calculations (for structural work)
- Project scope & valuation statement
- Trade sheets (electrical, plumbing, mechanical as applicable)
Additional documents (depending on project) may include the following:
- Soil/Geotechnical report
- Energy compliance forms (Title 24)
- Fire department plan review (for commercial)
- Environmental review documentation
- Historic preservation approval (if in historic district)
Step 3: Submit application
Use the City’s online portal to submit your application (City of Bakersfield e-Permit and Plan Review Portal). Register on the platform, then apply for a self-serve simple permit, and attach the necessary documents.
Step 4: Plan review and approval
City reviewers check code/zoning and may return comments. Once you’ve addressed comments, re-submit using ProjectDox.
Step 5: Permit issuance
Pay fees per the Master Fee Schedule. Once you're done, permits will be issued. Account number and PIN required for online access.
Step 6: Inspections
Schedule and track inspections online through the City’s system (inspection results and status available).
Bakersfield permitting resources
- City of Bakersfield Building Division
- Address: 1715 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Phone number: (661) 326-3720
- City of Bakersfield e-Permit and Plan Review Portal
- City of Bakersfield's proposed master fee schedule
- Bakersfield building permit application
- Online permit application and status
- Informational resources:
Simplify permitting in Bakersfield with PermitFlow
Bakersfield’s permitting process can slow even the most organized projects — especially if you’re juggling tight deadlines or navigating the city’s online systems for the first time. Instead of spending hours decoding requirements, fixing application errors, and chasing down approvals, let PermitFlow handle it all.
Construction teams choose PermitFlow for:
- Local expertise: We know Bakersfield’s permitting rules inside and out, ensuring smooth approvals.
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- Faster approvals: Error-free submissions mean fewer rejections and shorter wait times.
Don’t let permitting stall your projects. Contact us today and keep your builds moving at full speed.
