| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Proposed / pending |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — annual STR permit required (plus a city business tax certificate); permit valid for 12 months, non-renewable if operator receives 2+ citations i |
| Tax Rate | City TOT rate to be set under new ordinance (exact % not yet publicly confirmed for incorporated Bakersfield). Unincorporated Kern County: 6% TOT file |
| Night / Day Cap | None confirmed — no annual night cap specified in the adopted ordinance. |
| Minimum Stay | Ordinance covers rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days (state definition under CA SB 60, Ch. 307). No minimum stay floor specified. |
| Permit Fee | STR permit fee to be determined (fee schedule not yet established as of research date). Business tax certificate fee also required. City estimates $1 |
| Penalties | Permit non-renewal if operator accumulates 2+ citations within a permit year. Operating without a permit (pre-ordinance) has been enforceable under BM |
| Primary Residence Required | Unknown — not confirmed in published ordinance summaries; ordinance focuses on permitting and operational requirements rather than owner-occupancy con |
| Occupancy Limit | 2 guests per bedroom (children under 12 exempt per ordinance text). |
Short-term rental regulations in Bakersfield, California are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — annual STR permit required (plus a city business tax certificate); permit valid for 12 months, non-renewable if operator receives 2+ citations in the permit year. Ordinance adopted by City Counc. The associated permit fees are STR permit fee to be determined (fee schedule not yet established as of research date). Business tax.
Short-term rental operators in Bakersfield should be aware of these tax obligations: City TOT rate to be set under new ordinance (exact % not yet publicly confirmed for incorporated Bakersfield). Unincorporated Kern County: 6% TOT filed quarterly.. Yes — Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) obligations introduced by the new ordinance; platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) amended to collect and remit TOT directly on.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Bakersfield include: Primary residence requirement: Unknown — not confirmed in published ordinance summaries; ordinance focuses on permitting and operational requirements r. Rental day cap: None confirmed — no annual night cap specified in the adopted ordinance.. Occupancy limit: 2 guests per bedroom (children under 12 exempt per ordinance text).. Minimum stay: Ordinance covers rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days (state definition under CA SB 60, Ch. 307). No minimum stay f.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Bakersfield: STRs were previously technically prohibited city-wide under existing code; new ordinance legalizes them city-wide subject to permit. In multifamily housing developments, STRs cannot exceed 20% of tota. Density rules: In multifamily developments, STRs capped at 20% of total units per development.. Insurance: Yes — liability insurance of $500,000 minimum required (Council amended down from originally propose.
Hosts who fail to comply with Bakersfield's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Permit non-renewal if operator accumulates 2+ citations within a permit year. Operating without a permit (pre-ordinance) has been enforceable under BMC 5.26 hotel/lodging rules. In unincorporated Kern.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Bakersfield: Yes — platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO required to collect and remit TOT directly to the city on behalf of operators under the amended ordinance..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Short-term rental regulations in Bakersfield are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Ordinance adopted at second reading June 11, 2026; takes effect ~30 days later (approx. mid-July 2026). Until effective date, STRs remain technically prohibited under existing Bakersfield Municipal Co
Yes. Bakersfield requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — annual STR permit required (plus a city business tax certificate); permit valid for 12 months, non-renewable if operator receives 2+ citations in the permit year. Ordinance adopted by City Council on second reading June 11, 2026; takes effect 30 days after passage (~mid-July 2026). Fee schedul.
Short-term rental hosts in Bakersfield are subject to the following tax obligations: City TOT rate to be set under new ordinance (exact % not yet publicly confirmed for incorporated Bakersfield). Unincorporated Kern County: 6% TOT filed quarterly..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Bakersfield may face enforcement. Permit non-renewal if operator accumulates 2+ citations within a permit year. Operating without a permit (pre-ordinance) has been enforceable under BMC 5.26 hotel/lodging rules. In unincorporated Kern County: late TOT filing incurs 10% penalty plus 1.
This is Bakersfield's first-ever dedicated STR ordinance. Prior to its adoption, STRs were technically not allowed under city code, though ~500 operated in a regulatory gray area. The Planning Commission approved the draft on May 7, 2026; City Council first reading May 27, 2026; final adoption June 11, 2026. Westchester neighborhood residents voiced opposition, citing disruption to neighborhood ch
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