ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 10, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent, Ordinance TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
DATE: June 2, 2026
SUBJECT: First Reading of an Ordinance amending Section 13.12.030 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code relating to Development Improvement Standards and Specifications.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends first reading of the Ordinance.
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 13.12 of the Bakersfield Municipal Code generally sets forth the applicable design guidelines and development standards to be used in the construction of streets and other public improvements in the City. It also contains the City’s “Complete Streets” policy to provide for a multi-modal approach to the design of streets and transportation facilities.
Section 13.12.030 adopts by reference specific standard manuals to be followed as the City’s official development stand ards. In practice, City engineers approve project plans in compliance with the various manuals to ensure public health and safety of street designs and to provide legal support for various design plans.
The proposed ordinance amendment adds the “Urban Street Design Guide,” published by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), to the list of adopted standards that City staff may follow in the design and construction of City streets. This will provide an additional tool for City st aff in furtherance of the City’s Complete Streets Policy.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The adoption of the ordinance and the changes to the policy will not have a major increase of costs for the City. Additional outreach and education may need to occur for the future complete streets projects which the City has already put it into practice.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Reliable Infrastructure
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance