Wood is still the fence many Bakersfield owners want between yards, and it can last here if it is built for the climate. The threat is not rain. It is sun. Long stretches above 100 degrees dry boards fast, and thin or wet lumber cups, twists and splits as it shrinks. We use cedar or redwood boards where the budget allows, because both stay straighter as they dry, and we fasten them so they can move a little without pulling loose.
Posts are the other half of the job. Lawn sprinklers are the usual reason a wood post rots in Bakersfield, since the soil stays wet right at the base while everything above is bone dry. Pressure-treated posts or galvanized steel posts solve most of that, and steel posts also stand up better to valley wind. If you have a block wall on one side, we can tie the wood run into it cleanly at the corner.
Sealing matters more here than in a mild climate. A penetrating stain or sealer with UV protection slows the graying and cracking, and it needs to be renewed every few years on the sides that face south and west. Tell us how the yard is used and where the sprinklers are. We will suggest a style, a board thickness and a post type that fit, and put the options side by side in the written quote.
Wood & cedar fences in Bakersfield: common questions
How tall can a wood fence be in Bakersfield?
In residential zones the Bakersfield Municipal Code (section 17.08.180) allows up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in the front yard, with limited exceptions. Addresses in unincorporated Kern County follow county rules. We confirm the limit for your lot before quoting.
Is cedar worth the extra cost over pine in this heat?
Often yes for the boards. Cedar and redwood shrink and warp less than pine as they dry, which is the main problem in a Bakersfield summer. Pressure-treated wood or steel is still the practical choice for posts, because posts sit in the ground.
How do I keep a wood fence from drying out and cracking?
Seal or stain it once the wood is dry enough to take a finish, and renew the finish every few years. Keep sprinklers off the boards and keep soil and mulch away from the bottom edge. South and west faces need attention first.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We visit, measure and talk through options.
- Written quote: Clear pricing with material choices side by side.
- Permits & planning: We check local rules and help with permits before we dig.
- Install & clean-up: Our crew installs, cleans up and walks the finished fence with you.