Bakersfield Excavation Permits & Timelines

Utilities and Infrastructure California 3 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026 Flag of California

Bakersfield, California requires permits and coordination with Public Works for excavations that affect public rights-of-way, sidewalks, streets, gutters and utilities. This guide explains typical permit types, expected timelines, inspection and compliance duties, and how enforcement works so contractors and property owners can plan excavation work inside city limits.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for unauthorized or noncompliant excavations in Bakersfield is handled by the City of Bakersfield Public Works and the City Engineering or Permits office. Specific monetary fines and fee schedules are not specified on the municipal code or department permit pages listed in Resources; see those official pages for the governing ordinance or permit fee schedule.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited municipal or permit pages.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence treatment is not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, removal or remediation directives, and civil court actions are available remedies.
  • Enforcer and reporting: Public Works/Engineering enforces permits; complaints and inspection requests go to the city Public Works permitting office.
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are established by city procedure or ordinance; specific deadlines are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Defences and discretion: emergency work, approved variances, or possession of an active valid permit are typical defenses where discretion may apply.
Failure to obtain required permits may lead to stop-work orders and civil enforcement.

Applications & Forms

Commonly used permit types for excavation in the public right-of-way include encroachment or street opening permits, trench permits, and traffic control permits. Specific form names or numbers and fee amounts are not uniformly published on a single page; applicants should use the official Public Works permit application and fee schedule published by the City of Bakersfield.

  • Permit application: see the city Public Works or Engineering permit packet for the encroachment/excavation application.
  • Fees: fee amounts and deposit requirements are set by city schedule and are not specified in one consolidated place on the cited pages.
  • Timelines: review times vary with complexity and season; example review times are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Submission: typically submitted to the Public Works or Engineering permits desk by online portal, email, or in person per department instructions.
Always contact Public Works before starting any excavation in the public right-of-way.

Permitting Process and Typical Timelines

Permit processing generally follows intake, plan review, permit issuance, and inspection stages. Simple minor encroachments may be processed in days, while complex street openings requiring traffic control plans, utility coordination, or trench shoring details can take multiple weeks. Applicants should provide complete plans, traffic control, and contractor license and insurance information to avoid delays.

  • Intake: submission completeness check—time varies by office workload.
  • Plan review: technical review for safety, shoring, and traffic control.
  • Inspections: pre-pour, backfill, and final inspections as required by permit.
Provide complete traffic control and utility clearance plans to reduce review time.

Common Violations

  • Excavating without an encroachment or street opening permit.
  • Failure to provide required traffic control or pedestrian accommodations.
  • Not calling utility locate services before digging.
  • Not restoring pavement or public improvements per permit conditions.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to dig in a city sidewalk or street?
Yes. Excavation that affects sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets, or public utilities typically requires an encroachment or excavation permit from Public Works.
How long does permit approval take?
Timelines vary by complexity and completeness of the application; specific review times are not specified on the cited pages.
Who inspects the work and how do I request an inspection?
Public Works or the City Engineering inspection team inspects permitted work; inspection requests are made through the permit office per department instructions.

How-To

  1. Prepare a site plan showing the excavation location, dimensions, and proposed restoration.
  2. Include a traffic control plan and contractor license and insurance information with the application.
  3. Submit the encroachment or excavation permit application to the City of Bakersfield Public Works per department instructions.
  4. Coordinate utility locates before digging and keep clearance documentation on site.
  5. Schedule required inspections during work and at final restoration.
  6. Comply with any remediation orders if an inspector identifies noncompliance.

Key Takeaways

  • Obtain an encroachment or excavation permit before starting work that impacts public property.
  • Allow extra time for plan review when traffic control or utility coordination is required.

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