Home Business Rules in Bakersfield, CA (2026)

In Bakersfield, CA, home-based businesses are permitted subject to specific rules designed to preserve residential character while allowing residents to run legitimate businesses from their homes. A Bakersfield Home Occupation Permit is required before operating. The Bakersfield Building Division or Bakersfield Planning and Development Services handles home occupation applications and enforcement. Regulations generally prohibit on-site employees, customer visits, and any external evidence of business activity. Below you will find the current permit requirements, restrictions, prohibited business types, and cottage food law provisions for Bakersfield.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Bakersfield Home Occupation Permit. Fee: $50. Apply through the Bakersfield Building Division or online at their permit portal. Phone: (661) 326-3720. Permits typically must be renewed annually. Operating without a required home occupation permit can result in fines and a requirement to cease business activity immediately.

Operating Restrictions

Home Business Restrictions in Bakersfield: 1. Business must be incidental to residential use of the dwelling 2. No exterior signage identifying the business at the residence 3. No customers or clients on premises except by appointment 4. No employees other than household residents 5. Maximum 25% of floor area used for business 6. No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs stored at premises 7. No equipment generating noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line 8. No inventory storage requiring commercial delivery traffic Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Business must be incidental to residential use of the dwelling
• •No exterior signage identifying the business at the residence
• •No customers or clients on premises except by appointment
• •No employees other than household residents
• •Maximum 25% of floor area used for business
• •No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs stored at premises
• •No equipment generating noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line
• •No inventory storage requiring commercial delivery traffic

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Bakersfield: Auto repair or detailing; Beauty salon or barbershop with clients; Food production without Kern County Environmental Health registration; Medical or veterinary office with on-site patients; Any business requiring commercial vehicle traffic. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Bakersfield Planning and Development Services to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair or detailing
• ✕Beauty salon or barbershop with clients
• ✕Food production without Kern County Environmental Health registration
• ✕Medical or veterinary office with on-site patients
• ✕Any business requiring commercial vehicle traffic

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions