Fence Installation Permits in Bakersfield

Local Rule

City of Bakersfield Building Division

Bakersfield follows the standard California Building Code exemption pattern: masonry or concrete fences not over 3 feet, and all other fences not over 6 feet, do not require a building permit. Zoning under Municipal Code Section 17.08.180 caps fence, wall, or hedge height at 6 feet in rear or side yards (in R-1 through R-6 and MX-1/MX-2 zones), unless a greater height is required for noise attenuation or sight screening, and at 4 feet in the required front yard. Through lots where the rear lot line abuts a state, major, or secondary highway below or near roadway grade require a masonry wall. Barbed or electrified wire in commercial/industrial zones must have its lowest strand at least 6 feet 3 inches above the highest adjoining grade.

Source · Verified September 2026

Bakersfield Building Department

Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.

How This Compares to Kern County

Bakersfield's own rule is shown above (No permit under 6 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:

Kern County Building Code Ch. 17.08 (CBC 2022)

A fence is exempt from a building permit up to 7 ft, but the Kern County Planning and Natural Resources Department requires a zoning variance for any fence over 6 ft high - the zoning limit is stricter than the building-permit exemption itself.

See the full county page

Nearby Cities with Verified Rules

Other cities near Bakersfield with a confirmed fence installation rule:

FAQs

Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need

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