It is headquartered in the Development Services Building at the intersection of 17th Street and Chester Ave, in the Civic Center, downtown.

Bakersfield's building code has seen large changes as a result of two major disasters.

After the fire, it was decided the buildings in the central business district would be constructed of non flammable materials.

When the city was rebuilt, it was required that large structures be constructed with reinforced materials.

[2] Bakersfield's planning department has faced some major challenges in the development of the city.

Constructed by Southern Pacific, after a land dispute with the city, East Bakersfield's street layout had three major differences.