Bakersfield opens review of draft RISE 2045 General Plan

Bakersfield has opened public review of a draft long-range plan that could guide housing, transportation, land use, parks, infrastructure and environmental policy through 2045.

The draft Bakersfield RISE 2045 General Plan became available for review on July 8, 2026. Residents, property owners, businesses and other community members can submit comments through the Bakersfield 2045 project website or by emailing Bakersfield2045@bakersfieldcity.us. The deadline is September 27, 2026.

What the plan would do

A general plan is a broad policy framework cities use to guide future growth and land-use decisions. If adopted, Bakersfield’s plan would provide a framework for the City Council and Planning Commission as they consider future land-use actions and development proposals.

The draft addresses housing, land use, transportation and mobility, economic development, parks and open space, infrastructure, air quality, environmental quality, community health and neighborhood growth. It is intended to establish a long-term vision for how Bakersfield grows and how public services and investment priorities are coordinated.

For residents, the practical questions include where future housing may be encouraged, how development may be directed toward existing corridors or infill areas, what transportation connections may receive policy attention, and how parks, open space, utilities and environmental concerns are considered as the city changes.

It is not a zoning approval

The draft plan does not approve a specific housing project, authorize construction on an individual parcel or immediately change zoning. A general plan operates at a broader level than the zoning code, which sets more specific standards such as allowed uses, building height, setbacks and lot requirements.

Any future project would still need to go through applicable zoning, permitting and environmental review processes. The plan’s goals, policies and implementation actions also should not be read as funded commitments to build a particular road, park, utility or development.

Environmental review is underway

The City is preparing a programmatic environmental impact report for the plan. The California environmental review record describes an analysis of broad and cumulative effects, including potential land-use changes, rather than an evaluation of a specific development project.

The review is expected to address issues including air quality, transportation, water quality, flooding, wildfire, utilities, public services, housing, noise, greenhouse-gas emissions, agriculture, biological resources and growth-inducing effects. A program-level review can help frame later decisions, but site-specific environmental review may still be required for future actions.

Residents should distinguish the current draft-plan comment period from the earlier environmental-scoping period. Comments on the Notice of Preparation were accepted from February 28 through March 30, 2026. The current opportunity concerns the draft General Plan itself, with comments due September 27.

What to watch next

The primary focus is the City of Bakersfield, but the broader planning area includes adjacent and enclaved unincorporated areas. The City of Bakersfield’s land-use authority remains limited outside city limits, while the broader area is considered for coordinated long-range planning.

People submitting comments are encouraged to identify a section, page, policy or action and explain how it could affect a neighborhood or daily routine. Public comments will inform the review and decision process, but they do not guarantee a particular change. The plan remains under review and has not been adopted.

Sources

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