Bakersfield City Zoning Code
17.20 C-O
Professional and Administrative Office Zone
*Prior history: prior code §§ 17.23.010—17.23.070 and Ord. 2703.
17.20.010 Generally.
The regulations set out in this chapter shall apply in the C-O professional and administrative office zone unless otherwise provided in this title. The purpose of this zone is to designate areas suitable for business and professional office development. The C-O zone may also serve as a buffer between regional commercial and residential areas. (Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.020 Uses permitted.
The following uses are permitted in a C-O zone:
A. Any one or more of the following uses:
1. Accounting, auditing, tax preparation and bookkeeping services.
2. Advertising agencies.
3. Banks, savings and loans, credit unions and other financial institutions.
4. Business and management consulting services.
5. Business and professional membership organizations.
6. Commercial art and graphic design.
7. Commercial photography, including portrait studios.
8. Computer programming and data processing services.
9. Consumer credit reporting and collection services.
10. Day care nursery.
11. Detective and security systems services.
12. Direct mail advertising services.
13. Employment agency and help supply services.
14. Engineering, surveying, architectural and environmental planning services.
15. Family and social service, clinics and centers.
16. Governmental services and administration, including libraries, museums, galleries and judicial courts; police, fire, and other emergency service alarm centers.
17. Insurance services.
18. Legal services.
19. Management and public relations services.
20. Medical, dental, psychiatric and other health practitioner offices and clinics, including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy and blood banks.
21. Medical and dental laboratories.
22. Mortgage, loan and personal credit institutions.
23. Palm reading, fortune telling, astrologic and psychic services.
24. Pharmacies, in conjunction with medical clinics.
26. Post office and other courier or parcel delivery services.
27. Public and private utility administration.
28. Real estate development, sales and property management services.
29. Secretarial and court reporting services.
30. Telecommunications administration.
31. Television, radio and cable broadcasting stations.
32. Title and escrow offices.
33. Travel agencies.
34. Trusts and investment agencies.
B. Accessory buildings or structures necessary to such use located on the same lot or parcel of land.
C. Temporary offices including portable, modular or prefabricated structures constructed in conformance with the uniform codes adopted by the city (Title 15 of this code) and not attached to permanent foundations may be allowed for a period not to exceed two years, plus one-year extension subject to the approval of the planning commission.
D. Dwelling for use by caretaker or night security, or as accessory and incidental to the permitted use on the parcel. (Ord. 5158 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3964 § 19, 2000; Ord. 3746 § 4, 1997; Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.030 Uses subject to planning director review and approval.
The following uses may be permitted in a C-O zone subject to review and approval by the planning director:
A. Public utility structures.
B. Water pump stations. (Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.040 Uses permitted only by conditional use permit.
A. The following uses are permitted in a C-O zone only with the approval of a conditional use permit issued in accordance with the procedures provided in Chapter 17.64 of this code:
1. Bail bond services;
2. Body art establishment;
3. Garment cleaning, pressing, alteration and repair;
4. Hair styling shop and beauty salon, including tanning salons;
5. Photocopying and duplicating services;
6. Recycling centers, as defined by Public Resources Code Section 14520, that are within a convenience zone, as defined by Public Resources Code Section 14509.4;
8. School, elementary, junior high, and high;
9. Scientific research and testing services;
10. Vocational and specialized schools providing technical and cultural training;
11. Veterinary services. (Ord. 5158 § 1, 2024; Ord. 5008 § 6, 2020; Ord. 4944 § 1, 2018; Ord. 3746 § 5, 1997; Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.050 Additional requirements.
The following requirements shall apply to all development permitted by this chapter:
A. All permitted and conditional uses pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to site plan review as provided in Chapter 17.08 of this code.
B. Landscaping shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 17.61 of this code.
C. Off-street parking and loading shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 17.58 of this code.
D. Signs shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 17.60 of this code.
E. Commercial development proposed adjacent to property zoned or designated for residential development shall be required to be separated by a solid masonry wall constructed a minimum height of six feet from highest grade. Any wall located within or along the front yard area shall not exceed a height of four feet. Along street frontages, landscaping shall be required in lieu of or in combination with a solid wall, as determined by the development services director, to screen the proposed development from the residential uses.
F. Open storage of material and equipment permitted in this zone shall be surrounded and screened by a solid wall or fence, including solid gates where necessary, not less than six feet in height. Materials shall not be stacked above the height of the screening.
G. For developments under this section using outside storage, the areas devoted to outside storage shall be treated with a permanent dust binder or other permanent dust control measures consistent with air pollution control regulations, as approved by the planning director.
H. Roof-top areas of commercial structures shall be completely screened from view by parapets or other finished architectural features constructed to a height of the highest equipment and unfinished structural element or architectural feature of the building. This requirement shall apply to all new commercial construction and remodeling of existing commercial structures which involve a change of fifty percent or more of the roof structure or an addition of fifty percent or more to the floor area of the commercial structure.
I. Retail developments shall comply with design standards listed in Section 17.08.140. (Ord. 5006 § 3, 2020; Ord. 4939 § 10, 2018; Ord. 4714 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3964 § 20, 2000; Ord. 3835 § 10, 1998; Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.060 Building height.
Building height requirements in a C-O zone shall not exceed sixty feet (approximately four stories). (Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.070 Front yard.
Front yard requirements in a C-O zone shall be as follows:
A. All buildings shall be located a minimum of ten feet from the front property line. (Ord. 5158 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.080 Side yard.
Side yard requirements in a C-O zone shall be as follows:
A. Where a lot abuts upon the side of a lot in any R zone, MH zone, or PUD project of a residential nature, there shall be a side yard of not less than twenty feet.
B. On a corner lot, the side yard on the street side of the lot shall be not less than ten feet.
C. In all other cases, a side yard for a professional or administrative office building shall not be required. (Ord. 5158 § 1, 2024; Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)
17.20.090 Rear yard.
Rear yard requirements in a C-O zone shall be as follows:
A. Where the lot abuts any R, MH zone, or PUD project of a residential nature, there shall be a rear yard of not less than twenty feet.
B. Where there is an alley at the rear of the lot, such rear yard may be measured to the center of the alley.
C. In all other cases, a rear yard shall not be required. (Ord. 5158 § 1, 2024; Ord. 4236 § 1, 2005; Ord. 3395 § 1, 1991)