Building an ADU in the City of Bakersfield

What you can build here

Bakersfield's ADU chapter, Municipal Code Chapter 17.65, has only three sections. It says "A complete application for an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit shall be processed and approved in compliance with California Government Code Section 66310 et seq." ADUs and junior ADUs are "a permitted use in any zone which allows for residential uses," including mixed-use zones. The city last updated the chapter with Ordinance 5207, adopted November 19, 2025 and effective December 19, 2025.

Because the city's ADU chapter has no size, height or setback numbers of its own, state ADU law sets most of the rules. Our California page explains them. The city's ADU Toolkit (February 2024) gives the city's reading of those rules.

On a single-family lot, state law lets you combine:

• one ADU made from space inside the house or an existing accessory building such as a garage,
• one junior ADU inside the house, and
• one new detached ADU of up to 800 sq ft with 4 ft side and rear setbacks.

On a lot with an apartment building, you can convert non-living space (such as storage rooms, attics, basements or garages) into at least one ADU and up to 25% of the existing units. With an existing multifamily building you can also add up to eight detached ADUs, but no more than the number of existing units. (The city's 2024 toolkit still says "Up to two detached ADUs are allowed on multi-family lots." State law raised that number for existing apartment buildings, so confirm with the city.)

Prefabricated and modular homes are allowed as ADUs. State law also lets many single-family lots be split under SB 9; see our SB 9 lot split guide. [1][2][5][6]

Size, height and setbacks

The city's 2024 toolkit lists these standards:

• Detached ADU: up to 1,200 sq ft.
• Attached ADU: up to 50% of the size of the existing home, but state law requires the city to allow at least 850 sq ft (or 1,000 sq ft for more than one bedroom).
• Height: set by your zone. R-1 and R-2 "shall not exceed 35 feet"; R-3 and R-4 "shall not exceed 45 feet."
• Front setback: set by your zone.
• Side and rear setbacks: 4 ft from property lines. Converting an existing detached garage or other freestanding structure doesn't have to meet the 4 ft setback.
• Distance between buildings: the toolkit lists a "10' Setback between structures" for detached ADUs.

These match the state's default limits for a city without its own ADU size standards: 1,200 sq ft for a new detached ADU and 50% of the home's floor area for an attached ADU. State law also says lot coverage and floor-area rules can't block an ADU of at least 800 sq ft with 4 ft side and rear setbacks, and a city can't set a height limit under 16 ft for a detached ADU (18 ft within a half mile of a major transit stop, plus 2 ft to match the roof pitch).

Design. The city's site plan checklist asks ADU applicants for "Information regarding architectural compatibility with the main home," and the toolkit says materials and architecture "should be the same as the primary dwelling, as reasonably possible." State guidance says only objective standards can be applied to ADUs, and it lists wording such as "must maintain similar architecture style" as a subjective standard that may not be imposed.

Look up your zone with the city's GIS Mapping Portal, then confirm setbacks with Development Services at (661) 326-3733. [2][4][6][7]

Parking

The city's ADU page says: "JADUs, garage conversions/demolitions, or ADUs within a ½ mile of public transit do not require an additional parking space on site. Otherwise, you will need to add one parking spot, but it can be tandem (directly behind another spot in the driveway)."

State law caps ADU parking at one space per unit or per bedroom, whichever is less, and bars guest parking requirements. A city also can't make you replace a garage, carport or parking space you tear down or convert to build an ADU. [4][6]

Fees

The city's planning fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026, lists an "Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) application Fee" of $554. That is the planning (site plan review) fee. Building permit and plan check fees are separate.

The same schedule lists development impact fees, such as a park fee of $3,278 "Per Residential Unit." It does not say how those fees apply to ADUs. State law says ADUs of 750 sq ft of interior livable space or less pay no impact fees, and larger ADUs pay in proportion to the size of the main home. The city's ADU page says "some city fees are waived for ADUs," and that "The city does not control many of the most expensive fees, like school and water."

School fees. The schedule lists residential school fees of $5.17 to $6.85 per sq ft, depending on the district. It says to call the Kern Superintendent of Schools at (661) 636-4000 or the Building Department at (661) 326-3727 to find your district. State guidance says ADUs under 500 sq ft of interior livable space are not subject to school impact fees.

Water and utilities. Several water companies serve Bakersfield, and each charges its own fees. The city's FAQ says to find your water provider with the city's mapping tools and contact them, and to contact PG&E about electric service.

The city's ADU Calculator estimates rents, construction costs and fees. See also our ADU cost and ADU financing guides. [3][4][6][8]

How long it takes

Bakersfield uses two reviews:

1. Site plan review (planning). You submit a planning application and site development plan online. The city says staff review a complete application "typically within 30 working days."
2. Building permit. After planning approval, you apply for a building permit. Once it is approved and fees are paid, "your permit is valid for one year."

The city's toolkit estimates 1-6 months for permitting and 2-12 months for construction, and the ADU page says most projects take one to two years from start to finish.

State law says the city must tell you within 15 business days whether your application is complete, and must approve or deny a complete ADU application within 60 days when there is already a home on the lot, or it is deemed approved. See our ADU permit process guide. [2][4][6]

Standard plans gallery

Bakersfield runs an online ADU Standard Plans Gallery with "dozens of ready-made ADU designs," including "some reduced cost designs pre-reviewed by the city."

The city's FAQ explains the two kinds of plans. Standard plans were submitted by architects, designers and builders and chosen by the city; they are offered at a reduced cost but still need full code review. Pre-reviewed plans have also been checked by the Building Division for code compliance. Either kind still has to be fitted to your lot by the designer and submitted for a permit.

The plans come from private architects, designers and builders. Ask the designer which building code edition the plan meets; the 2025 California Building Standards Code took effect January 1, 2026. [4][8][9]

Garage conversions and junior ADUs

You can convert a garage, shed, barn or other existing accessory structure into an ADU. The city's toolkit says existing garages located within the setback area "can be converted to an ADU without having to comply with setback requirements." Garage conversions don't require replacement parking. See our garage conversion guide.

A junior ADU (JADU) is up to 500 sq ft, built within the walls of a single-family home or its attached garage. JADUs are allowed on lots zoned for single-family homes with one main house, and not in apartment buildings. A JADU needs an efficiency kitchen and may have its own bathroom or share one with the house. The toolkit sets a 150 sq ft minimum.

Owner occupancy. The city's toolkit says the owner must live in either the house or the JADU. Since January 1, 2026, state law requires that only when the JADU shares bathroom facilities with the house. Confirm with Development Services. See our junior ADU guide. [2][6][8]

Renting out your ADU

The city's toolkit says "ADUs may not be used for short-term or vacation rentals (less than 30 days)." State law also says junior ADUs, if rented, must be rented for more than 30 days.

You don't have to live on the property to have an ADU. The city's ADU page says owners don't have to live on site "if it is built between 2020 and 2025." State law (AB 976 of 2023) removed the 2025 end date, and state law now says a city can't require owner occupancy for an ADU, so the city's page may be out of date.

Have an older ADU built without permits? The city's toolkit says it can generally be legalized. State law limits when a city can deny a permit for an unpermitted ADU built before January 1, 2020. Contact Development Services and ask for a planner.

Adding an ADU may raise your property taxes. See our ADU property tax guide. [2][4][6]

State review of Bakersfield's ADU rules

On October 8, 2025, the state housing agency (HCD) sent Bakersfield a letter of technical assistance. It said the most recent ADU ordinance HCD had on file was from 2019 and "may be outdated and out of compliance with State ADU Law." It asked the city to respond by November 7, 2025.

The letter reminds cities that if an ADU ordinance doesn't meet state law, it is "null and void" and the city must apply state ADU law until it adopts a compliant one.

Bakersfield adopted Ordinance 5207 on November 19, 2025, which ties its ADU chapter to Gov. Code 66310 through 66342. We did not find an HCD response to that ordinance. [1][5][10]

Permit steps in Bakersfield

1. Check your property and talk to a planner

   Look up your zone on the GIS Mapping Portal. Talking to staff at the permit counter is free: walk in Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at 1715 Chester Avenue, call (661) 326-3733 or email devpln@bakersfieldcity.us. [4]

2. Design the ADU

   Hire an architect or designer, or pick a plan from the ADU Standard Plans Gallery. Site plans for ADUs must include elevation drawings or photos of the existing home. [4][7]

3. Submit a site plan review application

   Create an account on the city's Clariti portal and upload your site plan, elevations, floor plans, an Indemnification Agreement and an Owner Authorization form. A planner prescreens it; fees are issued once the prescreen is complete. [7][11]

4. Get the Notice of Decision

   The Site Plan Review Committee reviews the plans and issues corrections if needed. When approved, you receive a Notice of Decision and stamped plans. The city says review typically takes 30 working days. [2][4][7]

5. Apply for the building permit

   Submit a complete set of construction documents and the stamped planning approval online. Plans are reviewed by the residential plan checker, Planning and, if needed, Fire and an electrical specialist. [2]

6. Pay fees and pull the permit

   Pay the final fees, including school and utility connection fees. The permit is valid for one year. [2][4]

7. Build and pass inspections

   The ADU is inspected several times during construction. Schedule the final inspection through the Clariti portal; after it passes you can move in. [4]

Pre-approved and sample plans

• ADU Standard Plans Gallery

  An online gallery of ready-made ADU designs from private designers, including reduced-cost plans pre-reviewed by the city for code compliance. [4][8]

Who to call

• Development Services, Planning Division

  ADU questions, zoning and site plan review; email devpln@bakersfieldcity.us

  (661) 326-3733

  1715 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.)

  [4][10]

• Building Division

  Building permits, plan check and inspections

  (661) 326-3720

  1715 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301

  [12]

Questions people ask