ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: December 17, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Ordinances TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
DATE: December 9, 2025
SUBJECT: Adoption of an ordinance amending Sections 15.66.020, 15.66.060 and 15.66.080 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code
relating to Drilling for and Production of Petroleum. (FR 11/5/25)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
On November 5, 2025, City Council had first reading of several ordinances that qualified as clean-ups for purposes of making a section read better or to comply with new rules and regulations. The clean -ups included: Section 3.20.105, Sections 15.66.020, 15.66.060, 15.66.080, Chapter 15.04, 15.05, 15.07, 15.09,
15.11, 15.13, 15.15, 15.17, 15.19, 15.30, and Chapter 15.31.
On November 19, 2025, City Council had second reading of the ordinances mentioned above and adopted them all, but delayed second reading of Sections 15.66.020, 15.66.060, and 15.66.080 based on comments received from Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA). WSPA suggested certain language be added to provide clarity as it relates to mineral rights owners. The City reviewed and made small non-substantive edits in Section 15.66.080 that address the issues raised.
Therefore, another redline version of Section 15.66.080 is attached as well as clean versions of Sections
15.66.020, 15.66.060 and 15.66.080.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adoption of the amendments to the ordinance will not impact the City General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance