Kern County, CA | 85-100 mph Design Wind Speed | California Building Code (CBC) | Oil Capital | Exposure B/C | Tehachapi Wind Corridor
Calculate Bakersfield Wind Loads Now →Bakersfield, located in Kern County, California, at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, has moderate wind load requirements influenced by its proximity to the Tehachapi wind corridor. California uses the California Building Code (CBC), also known as Title 24, which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) with California-specific amendments. Design wind speeds for Risk Category II structures typically range from 85-100 mph (3-second gust) depending on location and exposure, with urban areas generally at the lower end and areas near the Tehachapi Pass at the higher end.
These requirements reflect Bakersfield's position in the Southern Central Valley, where the city experiences moderate winds but benefits from some topographic shielding compared to exposed areas near the Tehachapi wind corridor. Known as the oil capital of California, Bakersfield has extensive petroleum infrastructure requiring careful wind load analysis. The city is also famous for the Bakersfield Sound, a distinctive country music style pioneered by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Like most of California, seismic design typically governs structural requirements rather than wind loads, as the region is located near the southern San Andreas Fault and Garlock Fault systems.
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category II): 85-100 mph (3-second gust, varies by location)
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category III): ~100-115 mph
Design Wind Speed (Risk Category IV): ~110-125 mph
Exposure Category: B (urban areas) or C (surrounding open terrain)
Building Code: California Building Code (CBC, Title 24)
Wind Load Standard: ASCE 7-22 (current edition)
County: Kern County
Special Considerations: Proximity to Tehachapi wind corridor, oil industry infrastructure, seismic design typically governs
Bakersfield's design wind speed of 85-100 mph for Risk Category II structures reflects the city's location in the Southern San Joaquin Valley with proximity to the Tehachapi wind corridor. The Tehachapi Pass, located approximately 40 miles southeast of Bakersfield, is one of the windiest locations in California and home to one of the largest concentrations of wind turbines in the world. While Bakersfield itself is somewhat sheltered by topography, the influence of these strong wind patterns increases design wind speeds above what would be typical for a purely inland valley location.
The city experiences occasional strong wind events, particularly when pressure gradients drive airflow through the Tehachapi Pass and into the San Joaquin Valley. However, Bakersfield's relatively flat valley floor and urban development provide significant wind sheltering compared to exposed hillside and mountain pass locations. Like all California cities, seismic considerations dominate due to proximity to the San Andreas Fault (approximately 30 miles to the west) and the Garlock Fault (approximately 30 miles to the south), with seismic forces typically controlling structural system design while wind loads influence cladding and component design.
Calculating wind loads for Bakersfield projects requires following ASCE 7-22 methodology as adopted by the California Building Code (CBC). The fundamental velocity pressure equation is:
qz = 0.00256 Kz Kzt Kd Ke V²
For Bakersfield with V = 90 mph (typical urban Bakersfield) and standard conditions, the resulting pressures are moderate. A Bakersfield project with:
Results in a velocity pressure of approximately qz = 14.7 psf—moderate for California valley locations and significantly lower than coastal or mountain exposed areas.
For areas near the Tehachapi wind corridor or on exposed slopes east of the city using higher wind speeds and Exposure C, the pressures increase substantially due to both the higher velocity and the higher velocity pressure coefficient for open terrain exposure.
California has a statewide building code—the California Building Code (CBC, Title 24)—which is based on the International Building Code (IBC) with extensive California-specific amendments addressing seismic design, energy efficiency, and accessibility. Bakersfield and Kern County adopt the CBC with minimal local amendments.
Key Bakersfield building code considerations:
You can access Bakersfield building permits and requirements through the City of Bakersfield Development Services Department.
Bakersfield projects must be classified into Risk Categories per ASCE 7-22 Table 1.5-1. Higher risk categories require increased design wind speeds:
| Risk Category | Bakersfield Design Wind Speed | Building Types |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Category I | ~75-90 mph | Agricultural facilities, temporary structures, minor storage |
| Risk Category II | 85-100 mph | Residential, commercial, most standard occupancies |
| Risk Category III | ~100-115 mph | Schools, assembly >300, substantial hazardous materials, oil facilities |
| Risk Category IV | ~110-125 mph | Hospitals, fire stations, emergency shelters, essential facilities |
Bakersfield projects require careful Exposure Category determination based on surrounding terrain and development density:
Exposure Category B (Urban): Most of central Bakersfield qualifies as Exposure B due to urban development with numerous buildings, trees, and other obstructions. Exposure B assumes urban and suburban areas with buildings having heights generally less than 30 feet extending more than 800 feet upwind.
Exposure Category C (Open Valley): Agricultural areas surrounding Bakersfield, open oil fields, and areas near the Tehachapi foothills may qualify as Exposure C. This includes open terrain with scattered obstructions having heights generally less than 30 feet. Exposure C produces significantly higher wind pressures than Exposure B.
Engineering Judgment Required: The transition between urban Bakersfield (Exposure B) and surrounding agricultural/petroleum areas (Exposure C) requires professional engineering judgment. Projects near the urban edge should carefully evaluate upwind terrain characteristics for all wind directions.
Bakersfield is known as the oil capital of California, with extensive petroleum extraction and refining infrastructure throughout Kern County. Oil industry facilities have unique wind load requirements:
Engineers designing oil industry facilities in Bakersfield should consult both CBC/ASCE 7 requirements and applicable API standards for petroleum infrastructure.
The Tehachapi wind corridor is one of the most significant wind energy resources in California, located approximately 40 miles southeast of Bakersfield. This area experiences consistently strong winds due to the pressure differential between the San Joaquin Valley and the Mojave Desert, funneled through mountain passes.
Key Tehachapi wind corridor considerations for Bakersfield area projects:
Projects located in the foothills or mountains east of Bakersfield should conduct site-specific wind analysis considering local topography and proximity to the Tehachapi wind corridor.
While this page focuses on wind loads, it is critical to understand that seismic design typically governs structural requirements in Bakersfield. The region is located in a high seismic zone with several major fault systems:
In most Bakersfield projects, seismic forces control the design of the main lateral force resisting system (MWFRS), while wind loads govern cladding and component design. Engineers must evaluate both wind and seismic load cases and design for the most critical conditions.
Bakersfield zip codes span from central urban areas to surrounding agricultural and petroleum regions with varying wind speed requirements based on terrain and exposure. Common Bakersfield zip codes include:
The WindLoadCalc.com wind load calculator automatically applies the appropriate Bakersfield wind speed based on your specific zip code or street address, accounting for proximity to the Tehachapi corridor and local terrain conditions.
California has stringent Professional Engineer licensing requirements for structural design:
California's PE requirements are among the most stringent in the United States, reflecting the state's high seismic risk and emphasis on life safety.
Engineers, architects, and contractors should reference these official resources for Bakersfield wind load compliance:
The wind load calculator at WindLoadCalc.com automatically applies all Bakersfield-specific requirements:
WindLoadCalc.com automatically handles all Bakersfield-specific requirements including the 85-100 mph design velocity, appropriate Exposure Category selection, Risk Category adjustments, and component pressure coefficients. Simply enter your Bakersfield project address or zip code for instant, accurate calculations.
Calculate Bakersfield Wind Loads Now →Bakersfield's wind load requirements differ from coastal California areas and high mountain locations:
| Requirement | Bakersfield | Coastal CA | Tehachapi Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Wind Speed | 85-100 mph | 95-120 mph | 110-130+ mph |
| Exposure Category | Primarily B, some C | C coastal, D offshore | C, D mountain ridges |
| Climate | Hot semi-arid valley | Mediterranean coastal | Mountain pass winds |
| Seismic Zone | High (SDC D) | High (SDC D or E) | High (SDC D) |
| Governing Design | Typically seismic | Typically seismic | Wind may co-govern |
| Building Code | CBC (Title 24) | CBC (Title 24) | CBC (Title 24) |
Throughout California, seismic design typically governs structural system design, but wind loads remain critical for cladding, roofing systems, and component design. Bakersfield's position in the Southern San Joaquin Valley provides moderate wind conditions compared to coastal and mountain pass locations.
Bakersfield and Kern County are home to extensive agricultural operations and petroleum extraction facilities, both of which have unique wind load considerations:
Agricultural Structures:
Petroleum Industry Structures:
WindLoadCalc.com provides instant, accurate wind load calculations for Bakersfield projects. Our software automatically handles the 85-100 mph velocity range, Exposure B/C determination, and generates PE-ready reports for California building permit submission.
Try Bakersfield Wind Load Calculator →