Yes. As of October 2026, an ADU inside Bakersfield city limits needs a planning approval first and a building permit second, and the city lists 30 working days for the planning review. Properties in unincorporated areas such as Oildale are permitted by Kern County instead. Garage conversions and junior ADUs need permits as well.
What are the steps inside city limits?
- Planning application. Submit a planning application with a site development plan. The city lists a 30-working-day review and notifies you of any corrections.
- Building application. Once the planning permit is in hand, submit construction documents to the Building Division for plan check.
- Permit issued. After reviews, resubmittals and fees, the permit is issued and, per the city, stays valid for one year.
- Inspections and final. After the final inspection passes, the city issues a Certificate of Occupancy, and the ADU's address is assigned automatically.
The city's 2024 ADU resource guide describes the planning step as a site plan review that ends with a Notice of Decision and stamped plans.
When does a Bakersfield ADU need extra approvals?
According to the city's ADU FAQ, a project that goes beyond the standard size or height limits may need a Special Permit, which can involve a public hearing, and an ADU built above a garage needs a longer Design Review Approval. Most ADUs that stay within the standards skip both.
Who permits ADUs outside the city?
Kern County Public Works handles building permits for unincorporated parcels, applied for in person or through the county's Accela portal, while Kern County Planning and Natural Resources answers setback and zoning questions. The metro area has unincorporated pockets, so the jurisdiction depends on the parcel, not the mailing address. Shafter, Delano and Tehachapi each issue their own permits.
How long must the city or county take to decide?
As of October 2026, state law gives the agency 15 business days to determine whether an ADU application is complete, or it is deemed complete, and 60 days from a complete application to approve or deny it when a home already exists on the lot. A qualifying ADU gets a ministerial decision without a hearing.
Can I permit an ADU that was built without one?
Often. The city's 2024 resource guide says unpermitted ADUs can generally be legalized if they meet current building and zoning codes. As of October 2026, state law also says an agency generally cannot deny a permit for an unpermitted ADU built before January 1, 2020 just because of building standard violations, with exceptions for health and safety hazards.
Sources, as of October 2026:
- City of Bakersfield Planning Division, ADU and JADU how-to page (undated, accessed October 2026).
- ADU Idea Book: Resource Guide for Accessory Dwelling Units, prepared for the City of Bakersfield (February 15, 2024).
- City of Bakersfield ADU program, ADU frequently asked questions (bakersfieldadu.us; undated, accessed October 2026).
- Kern County Public Works, Building Inspection: pre-approved ADU plan instructions for property owners and contractors, and Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Units page (accessed October 2026).
- California Department of Housing and Community Development, ADU Handbook (updated March 2026, with addendum on law effective January 1, 2026), hcd.ca.gov.