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PermitBase

Building Permit in Bakersfield, California

The City of Bakersfield Building Division issues building permits through Development Services. The official application states: "Separate permit and application is required for each structure, tenant space or work performed. Permit shall include all structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work performed."

Reviewed 2026-09-18 · Source

When you need this permit

  • "Separate permit and application is required for each structure, tenant space or work performed."
  • "Permit shall include all structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work performed."
  • "Prior to acceptance of an Application for Building Permit, all building structures, including interior and exterior alterations, exterior signs and site modifications shall obtain City Planning Review, (lot with one single-family residence is exempt)."
  • Property owner's information is required for all permit applications; contractor information is required prior to issuance unless the applicant is an owner-builder or a registered professional is in responsible charge. Owner-builder

Required documents

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    Fee schedule

    Permit feesThe application form carries a "Total Valuation" field completed for city use, which indicates valuation-based fees, but no fee schedule or amount was read for this record so none is stated.
    NOT PUBLISHED on the pages read for this record.

    Review timeline

    Plan review
    Not published — contact the department

    How long did your Building Permit permit actually take in Bakersfield?

    Anonymous — one question, no email. Answers are combined and only shown once at least 5 people have reported.

    Inspection process

      Tips

      • CITY PLANNING REVIEW COMES FIRST for most work: the official application states that interior and exterior alterations, exterior signs and site modifications "shall obtain City Planning Review" prior to acceptance of the building permit application. A lot with one single-family residence is exempt.
      • One permit covers the trades: the application states the permit "shall include all structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work performed" — but a separate permit is required for each structure or tenant space.

      Frequently asked questions

      Yes for most work. The city's own application states that prior to acceptance of an Application for Building Permit, all building structures, including interior and exterior alterations, exterior signs and site modifications shall obtain City Planning Review. A lot with one single-family residence is exempt.

      In Bakersfield, the published Permit fees is: NOT PUBLISHED on the pages read for this record.. These are the jurisdiction's own published figures — see the fee schedule table and source citations on this page.

      Bakersfield does not publish a plan-review timeline for this permit. Contact City of Bakersfield Development Services, Building Division at (661) 326-3720 for current turnaround.

      Apply through City of Bakersfield Development Services, Building Division at 1715 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone: (661) 326-3720, email: NOT PUBLISHED on the pages read for this record.. Office hours: NOT PUBLISHED on the pages read for this record.. Official information: https://www.bakersfieldcity.us/building-division.

      The California Building Standards Code, Title 24. California sets this statewide rather than city by city: Health and Safety Code section 18938 provides that standards adopted into the California Building Standards Code shall apply to all occupancies throughout the state.

      Yes. The application states the permit shall include all structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work performed. A separate permit and application is still required for each structure or tenant space.

      Generally no, during the current statewide window. Health and Safety Code section 17958 provides that a city or county shall not make changes applicable to residential units during that period unless one of six listed conditions is met, such as home hardening or emergency standards.

      Yes. The application states that a separate permit and application is required for each structure, tenant space or work performed.

      Sources & verification

      Key facts verified against official sources. Last reviewed 2026-09-18.

      Applications & forms

      Codes & ordinances

      Fees, timelines, and adopted codes are researched from each jurisdiction's published records — see how we verify. Requirements change and vary by project, so always confirm the current details with the Bakersfield building department before you submit. PermitBase is an independent reference and is not affiliated with any government agency.

      Bakersfield's permit history isn't searchable here yet

      This page covers what the permit requires. What we don't have for Bakersfield yet is the record of permits actually issued — the history you'd search by street address. That is a gap in our coverage, not a statement about any particular property.

      Your email, and the place — never an address. We only use it to tell you when Bakersfield lands. Privacy.

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