Service areas · Kern County

Where we build ADUs: Bakersfield and nearby Kern County.

The state rules are shared. The permit office is not: some areas are their own cities and others are unincorporated county land.

OildaleUnincorporated; permitted by Kern County.ADUs in Oildale ShafterIts own city permit office, northwest of Bakersfield.ADUs in Shafter DelanoNorth Kern County on Highway 99.ADUs in Delano TehachapiMountain climate, snow load and wind.ADUs in Tehachapi

How does the City of Bakersfield handle ADUs?

Inside Bakersfield city limits, the Planning Division reviews the ADU planning application and site development plan, then the Building Division handles the building permit and inspections. As of October 2026, the city lists 30 working days for planning review and runs an ADU program with a guidebook, a standard plans gallery and an online cost calculator.

Is my address in the city or the county?

Not always what you would expect. The Bakersfield area includes unincorporated pockets that Kern County permits, including Oildale north of the river. We check the parcel's jurisdiction before anything else.

Who provides utilities?

PG&E serves electricity. Water service varies by address, and the city points owners to its City Services Lookup to find the provider. An ADU may need new or separate connections; a junior ADU generally does not.

Do you work outside these areas?

Send the address anyway. If it is in Kern County and within reach, we will tell you whether we can take it on.

Updated October 2026. Summarized from City of Bakersfield ADU program materials and Kern County Public Works guidance.

Could your lot take an ADU?

Give us the property address. We look up the city or county rules that govern it and reply with your options. Working in Bakersfield, Oildale, Shafter, Delano and Tehachapi.

No cost and no obligation.