ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 16, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Ordinances TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
DATE: September 2, 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of the following ordinances amending various sections of the Bakersfield Municipal Code
1. Reenacting Chapter 3.12, Sections 3.12.010, 3.12.020, 3.12.030, 3.12.040, and 3.12.050 relating to Claims made Against the City.
2. Amending Section 12.56.050 relating to Prohibited Acts in Parks.
3. Amending Chapter 14.02, Sections 14.02.010, 14.02.020, 14.02.030, 14.02.035, 14.02.040, and
14.02.045 relating to Water Use Regulations. (FR 8/26/2026
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the amendments.
BACKGROUND:
Periodically, various Departments throughout the City request minor changes to the Bakersfield Municipal Code (BMC). Generally, the changes are sought to make a section read better or to reflect current practice or correct typographical errors, or to comply with new rules and regulations.
The following is a list of amendments that are being recommended by staff:
1. BMC Section 3.12.010, BMC Section 3.12.020, BMC Section 3.12.030, BMC Section 3.12.040 and BMC Section 3.12.050. This enactment, was inadver tently removed from the BMC in 2020, reinstates the procedural requirements when filing a claim against the City.
2. BMC Section 12.56.050. This amendment clarifies City’s long -standing position that smoking in public parks is prohibited.
3. BMC Section 14.02.010, BMC Section 14.02.020, BMC Section 14.02.030. BMC Section
14.02.035, BMC Section 14.02.040, and BMC Section 14.02.045. These amendments are made pursuant to California Water Code section 10608.14(d) which requires public water systems to revise their ordinances to include Water Code sections 10608.14(a) and (b) prior to January 1, 2027.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The action to update the Municipal Code it does not have an impact on the City’s General Fund.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Innovative and Efficient City Government
ATTACHMENTS:
Code Changes