# Sign Regulations in Bakersfield, California

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Bakersfield, California, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Bakersfield, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/bakersfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-04
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://bakersfield.municipal.codes/Code/17.60.010)

## At a glance

Bakersfield, California regulates 43 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Apartment Identification (over 4 units)s in the Residential Zone Districts (R, MH, TT, FP-P, DI, R-S), Agricultural/Open Space Zone Districts (A, OS) zoning district are capped at Wall: 20 ft (can exceed if bldg is 3+ stories); Monument: 6 ft tall and 32 sq. ft. each, with a 10 ft from interior property lines, 0 ft from street rights-of-way setback (Sec. 17.60.060(B)(1)b).

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | C-2: 35 ft; M-1/M-2/M-3: 50 ft | 300 sq. ft. (plus up to 30 sq. ft. cutout/extension) | — |
| Residential Zone Districts (R, MH, TT, FP-P, DI, R-S), Agricultural/Open Space Zone Districts (A, OS) | 12 | Wall: 20 ft (can exceed if bldg is 3+ stories); Monument: 6 ft | 32 sq. ft. each | — |
| Professional and Administrative Office Zone District (C-O) | 12 | 30 ft. (can exceed if 3+ stories per skyline standards) | Max 100 sq. ft.; min 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial Zone District (C-1) | 14 | 30 ft (can exceed if 3+ stories under skyline standards) | Max 150 sq. ft.; min 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Regional Commercial Zone District (C-2), Manufacturing Zone Districts (M-1, M-2, M-3), Commercial Center Zone District (C-C), Central Business Zone District (C-B) | 15 | 35 ft | Max 250 sq. ft.; min 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Planned Unit Development Zone District (PUD), Planned Commercial Development Zone District (PCD) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Floodplain Secondary Zone (FP-S) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Automobile Parking Zone (P) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Hospital Zone (HOSP) | 2 | 20 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Historical Zone (H) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Airport District (AD), Airport Approach District (AA), Scenic Corridor (SC), Planned Educational Zone (PE) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Bakersfield Auto Mall Area | 6 | 50 ft | Max 450 sq. ft.; min 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Truxtun Avenue Corridor (Special Sign Restrictions Area), Other Scenic/Prohibited Corridors | 1 | — | — | — |
| Freeway-Oriented Sign Area (C-1, C-2, C-C, PCD, M-1, M-2, M-3) | 1 | 75 ft | 350 sq. ft. | — |
| Central District Area (Projecting Signs) | 1 | Max 15 ft (not above 1st floor); Alley: Max 20 ft above alley | 16 sq. ft. | — |
| Baker Street Frontage Area (Projecting Signs) | 1 | Max 15 ft (not above 1st floor); Alley: Max 20 ft above alley | 16 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### Residential Zone Districts (R, MH, TT, FP-P, DI, R-S), Agricultural/Open Space Zone Districts (A, OS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | Below roofline | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per residence | Attached to & parallel with front wall or door, on premises | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)a |
| Apartment Identification (over 4 units) | Wall: 20 ft (can exceed if bldg is 3+ stories); Monument: 6 ft | 32 sq. ft. each | — | 10 ft from interior property lines, 0 ft from street rights-of-way | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)b |
| Neighborhood Subdivision Identification (includes parks) | 6 ft | 32 sq. ft. each | — | — | Max 2 per major entrance (not to exceed 2 entrances) | Entrance at arterial/collector intersecting local street | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)c |
| Temporary Sign - Residential Project Identification (on-site) | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per subdivision (multiple phases considered single subdivision) | Within subdivision/project; prohibited on developed residential lots | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)d.i |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate (sales, rent, lease) | 6 ft | 6 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from interior property lines, 0 from street rights-of-way | 1 per parcel | On premises sold/rented/leased | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)d.iii |
| Temporary Sign - Construction/Home Improvement | 6 ft | 4 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per project/residence | On premises; setback 10 ft from all property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)d.vi |
| Temporary Sign - Future Use | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per undeveloped parcel | On premises; setback 10 ft from all property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)d.vii |
| Temporary Sign - Agricultural Products | 8 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from property lines, except none at public street frontage | 1 per parcel | On premises; setback 10 ft from property lines except no setback at public street | — | 17.60.060(B)(1)e |

### Neighborhood Commercial Zone District (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Business ID (Street Elevation) | 30 ft (can exceed if 3+ stories under skyline standards) | Max 150 sq. ft.; min 16 sq. ft. | 70% of business frontage length | — | No limit; total combined area not to exceed area per elevation | Each building elevation (street) | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)b |
| Wall Sign - Business ID (Non-Street Elevation) | 30 ft (can exceed if 3+ stories under skyline standards) | Max 75 sq. ft.; min 16 sq. ft. | 70% of business frontage length | — | No limit; total combined area not to exceed area per elevation | Non-street side elevation | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)b |
| Pylon Sign | 25 ft | 150 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft from interior property lines, 0 ft from street ROW, min 50 ft between signs, 100 ft from outdoor advertising | 1 per street frontage (plus 1 more if over 1000 ft frontage) | 1 per street frontage; centers with >1000 ft frontage: 1 more, min 300 ft between pylons | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)b |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft from interior property lines, 0 ft from street ROW, min 50 ft between signs, 100 ft from outdoor advertising | 4 per street frontage (plus extras if long frontage) | 4 per street frontage; centers with >500 ft frontage: 1 more, plus 1 for each additional 200 ft | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)b |
| Window Sign | Below 2nd floor or 10 ft | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Ground floor windows only | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)b |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per saleable/leasable space | On premises being sold/rented/leased; 10 ft setback from all property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)d.i |
| Temporary Sign - Construction | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per project facing street | On premises; 10 ft setback from property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)d.ii |
| Temporary Sign - Future Facility, Use or Tenant | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per street frontage | On premises; 10 ft setback from property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(3)d.iii |

### Regional Commercial Zone District (C-2), Manufacturing Zone Districts (M-1, M-2, M-3), Commercial Center Zone District (C-C), Central Business Zone District (C-B)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Business ID (Street Elevation) | 30 ft (can exceed if 3+ stories per skyline standards) | Max 250 sq. ft.; min 16 sq. ft. | 70% of business frontage length | — | No limit; total combined area not to exceed area per elevation | Each building elevation (street) | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)b |
| Wall Sign - Business ID (Non-Street Elevation) | 30 ft (can exceed if 3+ stories per skyline standards) | Max 125 sq. ft.; min 16 sq. ft. | 70% of business frontage length | — | No limit; total combined area not to exceed area per elevation | Non-street side elevation | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)b |
| Pylon Sign | 35 ft | 250 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft from interior property lines, 0 ft from street ROW, min 50 ft between signs, 100 ft from outdoor advertising structure | 1 per street frontage (plus 1 more if >1000 ft frontage) | 1 per street frontage (plus 1 for >1000 ft frontage, min 300 ft between pylons) | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)b |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 25 ft from interior property lines, 0 ft from street ROW, min 50 ft between signs, 100 ft from outdoor advertising structure | 4 per street frontage (more if longer frontage) | 4 per street frontage; for centers >500 ft street frontage: 1 more, plus 1 for each additional 200 ft | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)b |
| Window Sign | Below 2nd floor or 10 ft | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Ground floor windows only, 1 per street frontage | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)b |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per saleable/leasable space | On premises being sold/rented/leased; 10 ft setback from all property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)d.i |
| Temporary Sign - Construction | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per project facing street | On premises; 10 ft setback from property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)d.ii |
| Temporary Sign - Future Facility, Use or Tenant | 12 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from property lines | 1 per street frontage | On premises; 10 ft setback from property lines | — | 17.60.060(B)(4)d.iii |

## Prohibited signs in Bakersfield

- No sign shall be painted, placed, pasted, posted, printed, tacked, fastened, constructed, erected, re-erected, installed, altered or otherwise permitted or maintained without first obtaining a permit from the building director, unless an exemption applies.
- Signs shall not be placed on any curb, sidewalk, post, pole, light standard, hydrant, bridge, tree or other surface located on public property, and shall not be located within, over or across any public right-of-way or public parkway including street median islands, except as authorized.
- Any sign prohibited above constitutes a nuisance and shall not become a legal nonconforming sign.
- Signs shall not be permitted near the intersection of any street, pedestrian crosswalks, alley, or vehicle access in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of motor vehicle operators, or at any location where by reason of its position, shape, illumination or color, it may interfere with or be confused with any authorized sign, signal or device, or which makes use of words, symbols, phrases, illumination, shape or color so as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Signs or supporting members shall not be erected, altered, relocated, or maintained so as to interfere with or restrict access to a window or other opening in a building so as to limit air circulation or obstruct fire escapes, exits, standpipes, stairways, doors, ventilators, windows or similar openings.
- Any commercial sign which does not identify or advertise the occupant of a building, lot, or premises, or relate to any merchandise, business or activity available or being conducted at the location where the sign is located is prohibited, except outdoor advertising signs and subdivision directional signs.
- Animated, moving, revolving and rotating signs are prohibited, except as specified in this chapter.
- Banners, flags, pennants and balloons are prohibited, except as specified in this chapter.
- Bench signs are prohibited.
- Electronic message displays are prohibited except as specified in this chapter.
- Flashing, blinking, and reflecting signs are prohibited except as specified in this chapter.
- Outdoor advertising signs are prohibited except as specified in this chapter.
- Permanent 'for sale' signs are prohibited.
- Portable signs including A-frame signs are prohibited except as specified in this chapter.
- Projecting signs are prohibited except as specified in this chapter.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs which simulate in color or design a traffic sign or signal or use words, symbols, or characters to interfere, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic, as determined by the building director, are prohibited.
- Vehicles (including trailers, wagons, and similar utility vehicles) shall not be utilized as support for any mobile, portable or stationary signs, or conspicuously parked or left standing so as to constitute a device or sign for advertisement purposes, except as allowed for standard advertising permanently attached to commercial vehicles used in the conduct of business and subject to restrictions.

## Signs exempt from permit in Bakersfield

- Address signs used for dwelling unit identification as required by the code.
- Advertising signs in or on public buses or other public conveyances as may be permitted by the city council.
- Business or merchant directory not exceeding 16 square feet in area and 6 feet in height.
- Commercial vehicle signs on licensed commercial vehicles provided such vehicles are not displayed as parked or stationary outdoor display signs.
- Directional, warning, or information signs, including traffic control and street signs as authorized by government authority.
- Directional or informational signs such as entrance/exit signs, open/closed signs, business hours, and similar, not exceeding 6 square feet in area and 6 feet in height (with some logo allowance and subject to director's discretion on number).
- Flags of the United States, California, other states, counties, municipalities, foreign nations, and recognized nonprofit organizations (limited to 3 flags per site, additional flags may be approved by the director).
- Holiday decorations, in season, displayed for an aggregate period not exceeding 90 days per calendar year.
- Interior signs within a public or private structure (including stadiums, ball parks, etc.) not intended to be seen from a public street or adjacent properties.
- Memorial plaques, tables, cornerstones or tombstones.
- Neighborhood watch and similar type notices.
- Notices posted on public bulletin boards or public kiosks designed for such notices.
- No trespassing, solicitation, hunting, minors, and similar such signs not exceeding 4 square feet in area and 6 feet in height.
- Official and legal notices issued by a court or government agency.
- Promotional signs by the city of Bakersfield that promote or advertise city-wide celebrations, awards, recognition or other events; such signs may be permitted to project over public right-of-way.
- Public utility signs placed by public utilities for public safety, welfare or convenience (e.g. high voltage, public telephone, underground cable identification).
- Signs being manufactured, transported and/or stored within city limits, provided they are not used for advertising at their place of manufacture or storage.
- Taxicab signs authorized and approved under the code.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign plan may be required by the city council or planning commission as part of any project approval per Section 17.60.020(C).
- Comprehensive sign plan applications may be filed for shopping/business center developments, planned commercial developments (PCD), areas covered by specific plans where signage was not identified, public/semi-public institutional projects, and neighborhood/subdivision identification programs (for developments of 100+ acres with certain frontage).
- Comprehensive sign plans must be reviewed and approved at a public hearing by the planning commission; all comprehensive sign plan requests are heard at public hearing with notice requirements.
- Exceptions to sign regulations may be permitted if the planning commission finds that the comprehensive sign plan as a whole is in conformity with the purpose of the chapter and promotes the general welfare, resulting in improved sign relationships.
- Comprehensive sign plan application must include information on location, size, height, color, lighting, number, visual effects, and orientation of all proposed and existing signs.
- Once a comprehensive sign plan is approved, no signs may be erected, placed, painted, installed, or permitted except in conformity with the plan; the plan is binding for current and future owners/tenants and controls over conflicting chapter provisions.
- No permit shall be issued for any sign on property where a comprehensive sign plan has been applied for and is pending decision from the planning commission.
- Withdrawal of comprehensive sign plan is possible only if it was not required as a condition of project approval; withdrawal must meet certain conditions and be submitted in writing.
- Sign plans are required as part of project approvals where specified by the city, and may be required for certain zone districts or development types (e.g. business centers, planned developments, subdivision entries).
- Skyline building signs require designation in writing or on a sign plan of the primary tenant if tenant identification is proposed.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 16 zoning districts in Bakersfield — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Bakersfield+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-bakersfield

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