Everything homeowners need to know about building an accessory dwelling unit in Bakersfield - size limits, setbacks, permits, and how a city now working through a backlog of unpermitted units is trying to make the legal path easier.
Last verified: August 2026
7/10 · ADU-friendly
1,200 sq ft
Max ADU size
16 ft*
Max height
Not required
Owner-occupancy
By-right
Permit type
This page summarizes Bakersfield Municipal Code Title 17, Chapter 17.65 (Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit), layered on top of California's statewide ADU law (Gov. Code Sec 65852.2 and related sections), for general reference - it is not legal advice. Regulations change; always confirm current requirements with the City of Bakersfield's Development Services Department before designing or applying for permits. See sources below.
Zoning & size requirements
What you're allowed to build
ADU type
Max size
Max height
Notes
Detached (new construction)
Up to 1,200 sq ft
16 ft general standard; the underlying zoning district's height limit can apply instead
Subject to the 4 ft minimum side/rear setback below
Attached (addition to primary home)
50% of the primary dwelling's floor area, up to the citywide 1,200 sq ft cap
Same as primary structure
Converted (garage, interior)
Sized to the existing structure's footprint
Same as existing structure
Exempt from new-construction setback requirements
Junior ADU
Up to 500 sq ft, built within the primary home's existing walls
Same as primary structure
Owner-occupancy applies only if the JADU shares sanitation facilities with the main house
Allowed zoning districts
Allowed on single-family and multi-family residential parcels citywide; the underlying zone's minimum lot size and density limits don't apply to ADU projects, per state law. Homeowners' associations cannot review or influence an ADU permit application - that authority sits with the city alone.
Additional standards
Setbacks, parking & other rules
Setbacks
Minimum 4 ft side and rear setbacks for new-construction ADUs; conversions of legally established structures are exempt
Parking
Up to 1 space per bedroom for the ADU, waived within 1/2 mile of a public transit station; never required for a JADU
Units per lot
At least 1 ADU (attached or detached) plus 1 JADU on a qualifying single-family lot, the floor set by state law
Owner-occupancy
Not required for a standard ADU; a JADU only requires it when the unit shares sanitation facilities with the primary home
Building code
Must meet current California Building, Residential, Energy, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Code standards
Impact fees
Waived for ADUs at or under 750 sq ft; charged proportionally to the primary dwelling's fee above that
Deed restrictions
The city cannot impose a deed restriction on a standard ADU as a condition of approval
Ordinance history
How Bakersfield's ADU rules got here
2017Statewide ADU law takes effect. California's Gov. Code Section 65852.2 begins requiring ministerial, by-right approval of qualifying ADUs, and Bakersfield adds ADU standards to Title 17 of its zoning code.
2019Local ordinance adopted. Bakersfield adopts the version of Chapter 17.65 that remains on file with the state today.
2024Owner-occupancy eliminated permanently. Statewide AB 976 bars cities from requiring owner-occupancy for standard ADUs, and SB 1211 lets multifamily properties add up to 8 detached ADUs.
2025Code enforcement finds a real backlog. Starting in March, the city identifies 38 unpermitted ADU-type structures, 24 of which inspections found to carry safety issues like electrical or egress problems. In October, the state's Housing Accountability Unit separately flags the city's 2019 ordinance as due for an update.
2026City moves to formalize its ADU program. Bakersfield issues an RFP (deadline late February) to build out a structured ADU program, proposes a Forgivable Loan Program funded through the state's Permanent Local Housing Allocation to help owners legalize and build ADUs, and advances its first short-term rental ordinance through the council process.
Bakersfield's story is more mixed than the coastal California markets: the same statewide by-right entitlement applies here on some of the region's larger, more affordable lots, but the city's own program is visibly playing catch-up, evidenced by the outdated ordinance on file and a real cluster of unpermitted units the city is now trying to bring into compliance rather than penalize outright.
Permit process
How Bakersfield ADU permitting works
1
Pre-application check
Confirm zoning eligibility and current standards for your lot with Development Services before designing.
2
Prepare your plan set
You'll need a site plan, floor plans, and elevations for the ADU, plus floor plans of the existing house if size is calculated as a percentage of it.
3
Submit your application
File with Development Services; no separate zoning clearance or HOA review can be imposed beyond what state and local ADU standards allow.
4
Plan check
The city reviews for zoning and building code compliance; state law requires a completeness determination within 15 business days.
5
Permit issuance
Complete applications must be decided within 60 days under state law, or the application is deemed approved.
6
Construction & inspections
Schedule the standard framing, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections as work proceeds toward a certificate of occupancy.
Fees and timelines are approximate and change periodically - confirm current figures with Development Services before you budget or apply. If you're legalizing an existing unpermitted structure, ask about the city's forgivable loan program before assuming it's a straight bring-to-code cost.
Budgeting
What it costs to build an ADU in Bakersfield
Garage conversion
Roughly $60,000-$150,000, the least expensive path since the shell already exists
Interior or addition conversion
Roughly $90,000-$180,000; true basement conversions are uncommon in Central Valley home construction, so this more often means an attached addition or converted interior space
New detached ADU
Roughly $130,000-$280,000+ for a code-compliant, fully finished freestanding unit; Central Valley costs typically run below coastal California
Impact fees
Waived for ADUs at or under 750 sq ft; larger units are charged proportionally to the primary home's fee
Forgivable loan program (if adopted)
Proposed to cover a share of the cost of legalizing an unpermitted ADU or building a new one, in exchange for a 5-year covenant renting to households at or below 60% of area median income - confirm current program status with the city
These are general ranges from local contractor estimates and regional reporting, not quotes - actual cost depends heavily on lot conditions, finishes, and whether you're building new or legalizing an existing structure.
Before you apply
Tips for a smooth approval
If you already have an unpermitted structure, don't ignore it. The city is actively identifying these through code enforcement; ask about the forgivable loan program before assuming legalization means a full bring-to-code bill.
Keep your ADU at or under 750 sq ft if cost matters most. It clears the statewide impact-fee waiver threshold entirely.
Confirm current standards directly with the city. Because the ordinance on file with the state dates to 2019, ask Development Services which specific standards apply to your project today.
Planning to rent short-term? Bakersfield's short-term rental ordinance is still moving through city council approval - confirm current permit and tax requirements before you commit to that plan.
Ignore any HOA that tries to weigh in. State law bars homeowners' associations from reviewing or influencing ADU permit decisions - that's solely the city's call.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to live on the property to build an ADU in Bakersfield?
No, not for a standard ADU. Under statewide AB 976, cities can no longer require owner-occupancy for a standard ADU. A JADU only carries an owner-occupancy requirement if it shares bathroom or kitchen sanitation facilities with the primary home.
How many ADUs can I build on one lot?
State law entitles a qualifying single-family lot to at least one ADU (attached or detached) plus one JADU. Multifamily properties can add more under SB 1211 - confirm specifics with the city.
Do I need extra parking for an ADU?
The city can require up to one space per bedroom, but that requirement is waived if your property is within 1/2 mile of a public transit station, and a JADU can never be required to add parking.
How long does the permit process take?
State law requires a completeness determination within 15 business days and a decision within 60 days of a complete application, or the application is deemed approved. Confirm current local timelines with Development Services.
What's the maximum size for a detached ADU?
Up to 1,200 sq ft, with a general 16 ft height limit (the underlying zoning district's limit can apply instead) and a 4 ft minimum side/rear setback.
How much does an ADU cost to build in Bakersfield?
Garage conversions tend to run roughly $60,000-$150,000, interior or addition conversions $90,000-$180,000, and new detached units $130,000-$280,000 or more, based on local contractor estimates and regional reporting. Central Valley costs typically run below coastal California.
I have an unpermitted ADU already. What happens now?
Since March 2025, the city has been actively identifying unpermitted ADU-type structures through code enforcement, and dozens have been found to carry safety issues. Rather than only pursuing penalties, the city has proposed a forgivable loan program using state housing funds to help owners bring existing units into compliance - ask Development Services about current eligibility before assuming the worst.
Do I need a permit to rent my ADU short-term on Airbnb?
Bakersfield has been developing its first short-term rental ordinance, which as proposed would require an annual STR permit, a business license, and a fire safety inspection, plus a local transient occupancy tax. Confirm whether the ordinance has been adopted and what it requires before you list your ADU.
Are impact fees really waived for small ADUs?
Yes. Under state law, ADUs at or under 750 sq ft are exempt from development impact fees, and larger units are charged proportionally to the primary home's fee.
