Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in Bakersfield, CA (2026)

Whether Bakersfield, CA permits short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) has not been confirmed from an official source. Contact the local planning department through their official website to verify current STR rules — including whether hosting is permitted at all, registration requirements, and any local restrictions — before listing your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or a similar platform.

Statewide Preemption

Registration Requirements

Whether short-term rental registration is required in Bakersfield has not been confirmed from official sources. Contact the local planning department or local building department to verify current registration requirements before hosting on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.

Operational Rules

No specific operational rules listed for short-term rentals in Bakersfield beyond standard property codes.

• •STR permit required from Bakersfield Planning and Development Services
• •Property must comply with Bakersfield Municipal Code habitability standards
• •Designated responsible party available for complaint response
• •Maximum occupancy 2 guests per bedroom
• •Bakersfield hotel/motel tax (10%) and California Transient Occupancy Tax applies
• •STR permit number must appear on all booking platform listings
• •No STR advertising prior to permit issuance

Penalties for Violations

Specific penalty amounts for STR violations in Bakersfield are not listed. Contact the local planning department for enforcement information.

• ⚠$500 per day for operating without STR permit
• ⚠$250 fine per violation for permit condition violations
• ⚠Permit revocation for repeated non-compliance

Frequently Asked Questions