Updated : 04/22/2024
Overview
Bakersfield adopted some of the California Building Standards Code. Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code tit. 15 pt. 1 Building and Construction. The City amended the 2013 Editions of the California Building Code, California Residential Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Electrical Code, and California Green Building Standards Code. Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code chs. 15.05, 15.17, 15.07, 15.12, 15-11 and 15.19.
Helpful resources for Bakersfield, California include the following.
Residential Building Code
California adopted a statewide mandatory residential code that will control; however, local governments are free to make laws more strict (with some limitations).See PLRB,
California Building Codes for more information on state level codes.
Bakersfield adopted the 2012 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.
You can find a copy of the model code here.
You can find information about amendments to the model code
here.
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2019 California Residential Code (2018 IRC)(City of Bakersfield, CA Municipal Code)
...Adoption not found...
Drip Edge
Drip Edge: Yes
Ice Barrier
Comments
Bakersfield amended the 2013 California Residential Code, including Chapter 1 Division II and Appendix “H [Patio Covers]”. Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code § 15.17.010. The City did not amend the other Appendices, "Chapter 1 Division II, Section R112 Board of Appeals" nor "Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria", found in the 2013 California Residential Code. Id; Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code §§ 15.17.020, 15.17.030 and 15.17.050.
The City added "Section R803 Roof Sheathing" to read as follows:
R803.2.4 Openings in Horizontal Diaphragms. Openings in horizontal diaphragms shall conform with Section R503.2.4. (Ord. 4755 § 9, 2013)
Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code § 15.17.120
Commercial Building Code
Bakersfield adopted the 2012 IBC, statewide with limitations. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.
You can find a copy of the code
here.You can find information about amendments to the model code
here.
Auto Search - beta:
2019 California Bldg. Code, Part 2 (2018 IBC)(City of Bakersfield, CA Municipal Code)
...Adoption not found...
Comments
Bakersfield adopted the 2013 California Building Code, including Chapter 1 Division II and Appendices “I [Patio Covers]” and "J [Grading]", and amended Appendix "J [Grading]". Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code §§ 15.05.010 and 15.05.030.
The City did not adopt "Section 113 Appeals Board", and Appendices A, B, C, D, F, G, H, K, L, and M. Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code § 15.05.020.
The City added "Section 1612 Geological or Flood Hazards" to read as follows:
1612.6 Geological or Flood Hazards. If in the opinion of the Building Director a structure to be used for human habitation or occupancy is proposed to be located such that it would be subject to geological or flood hazards or mud slide, to the extent that it would endanger human life or safety, a permit to construct shall be denied, unless corrective work satisfactory to the Building Director can be done to eliminate or sufficiently reduce the hazard. No structures shall be permitted where prohibited under the City flood plain Management Ordinance.
The Building Director, in formulating his opinion as to the extent of the hazard, may take into consideration such data as is available from federal, state and local agencies having information and knowledge relative to such hazardous conditions. He may require applicants to furnish geological and/or engineering studies, reports and recommendations prepared by a registered geologist and/or civil engineer for corrective work, sufficient to establish the safety of the proposed structure, including a statement verifying all corrective work was performed.
(Ord. 4755 § 3, 2013; Ord. 4637 § 3, 2010)
Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code § 15.05.070.
Existing Buildings
Bakersfield adopted the 2013 California Existing Building Code, and the 2013 California Historical Building Code, all without local amendments. Bakersfield, Cal., Muni Code §§ 15.13.010 and 15.15.010.
