Rental Property Rules in Bakersfield, CA (2026)
10 verified rental property rules for Bakersfield, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Bakersfield has NO local rent control ordinance. There is no city rent board and the Bakersfield Municipal Code does not contain a rent stabilization chapter. Kern County also has no countywide rent control. The only rent cap protecting most Bakersfield tenants is California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), codified at Cal. Civil Code § 1947.12, which caps annual increases at 5% plus regional CPI, or 10%, whichever is lower.
Bakersfield Rent Control — State Law Only
Few RestrictionsCal. Civil Code § 1947.12(a)(1)–(2)
Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the effecti...
Just Cause Eviction
Bakersfield has no local just-cause-eviction ordinance. After 12 months of continuous occupancy, most tenants are protected by California's statewide just-cause statute at Cal. Civil Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482). Landlords must state an at-fault or no-fault reason in any termination notice. No-fault evictions require relocation assistance equal to one month's rent.
Bakersfield Just Cause Eviction — State Law Only
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code § 1946.2(a)
Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously and lawfully...
Rental Registration
Bakersfield does not require a mandatory rental property registration program. Rental properties must comply with standard building codes, property maintenance standards, and business licensing requirements, but there is no registry or database of rental units maintained by the city.
Bakersfield Rental Property Registration
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act - Statewide Rent Cap Establishes Lowest Allowable Rate Tracking)
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...
Relocation Assistance
Bakersfield follows California AB 1482 relocation rules. Tenants displaced by a no-fault eviction receive one month's rent in direct relocation assistance or an equivalent waiver of the final month's rent.
Relocation Assistance for Bakersfield Tenants
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code § 1946.2(d)(1), (d)(3)(A)
For a tenancy for which just cause is required to terminate the tenancy under subdivision (a), if an owner of residential real property issues a termination notice based on a no-fault just cause described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the owner shall, regardless of the tenant's income, at the owner's option, do one of the following: (A) Assist the tenant to relocate by providing a direct...
Security Deposit Rules
Bakersfield landlords must follow California Civil Code 1950.5 on security deposits. As of 2024, residential deposits are capped at one month's rent for most landlords regardless of furnished status.
Security Deposit Limits for Bakersfield Rentals
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(5)(A)
Except as provided in paragraph (2), (3), or (5), a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of an amount equal to one month's rent, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, in an amount or value i...
No-Fault Evictions
Bakersfield landlords using a no-fault termination on AB 1482-covered tenancies must state a permitted reason, give 60 days' notice, and pay relocation assistance equal to one month's rent.
No-Fault Eviction Rules in Bakersfield
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code § 1946.2(b)(2)
No-fault just cause, which means any of the following: (A) Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or the owner's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents for a minimum of 12 continuous months as that person's primary residence. (B) Withdrawal of the residential real property from the rental market. (C) The owner complying with: an order is...
Tenant Anti-Harassment
Bakersfield has no standalone tenant-harassment ordinance, but California Civil Code and statewide tenant protections prohibit landlord acts intended to force a tenant out, including utility shutoffs and lockouts.
Tenant Anti-Harassment Protection in Bakersfield
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 1940.2 (Landlord Anti-Harassment - Prohibited Conduct to Influence Tenant Vacancy)
1940.2. (a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling: (1) Engage in conduct that violates subdivision (a) of Section 484 of the Penal Code. (2) Engage in conduct that violates Section 518 of the Penal Code. (3) Use, or threaten to use, force, willful threats, or menacing conduct constituting a course of conduct that in...
Source-of-Income Discrimination
Bakersfield landlords cannot refuse to rent based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 housing vouchers, under California's amended Fair Employment and Housing Act since 2020.
Source of Income Protection in Bakersfield Rentals
Some RestrictionsCal. Government Code § 12955(a)
It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person.
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
The Housing Authority of the County of Kern administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for Bakersfield. Landlords must accept vouchers as a lawful source of income and meet HUD inspection standards.
Section 8 Vouchers in Bakersfield Housing
Some RestrictionsCal. Government Code § 12955(a), (c)
It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the... source of income... of that person. (c) For any person to make, print, or publish... any notice, statement, or advertisement, with respect to the sale or rental of a housing accommodation that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on... sour...
AB-1482 Notice Disclosure
Bakersfield landlords must follow California AB 1482 rent-cap and just-cause rules where applicable, and provide tenants with the statutory written disclosure either in the lease or as a separate signed addendum.
AB 1482 Rent Cap Disclosure in Bakersfield
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code § 1947.12(a)(1)
Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the effecti...
Looking for Kern County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bakersfield city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Kern County →