5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Kern County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Kern County does not require a stand-alone short-term rental permit, but every operator of a hotel, vacation rental, or short-term lodging in the unincorporated area must register with the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector and obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate before renting.
Kern County Code § 4.16.060 (Ord. G-5838 § 2, 1992)
Every person engaging in or about to engage in business as an operator of a hotel in the unincorporated area of Kern County, shall register with the tax collector on a form provided by the tax collector. ... This Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate ... does not constitute a hotel business permit, a land use permit or a license to operate a hotel on this premises.
Kern County has no STR-specific noise ordinance, but Ordinance Code Chapter 8.36 prohibits loud and raucous noise and restricts amplified sound in unincorporated areas. Construction noise is barred 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays and 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. weekends near homes.
Kern County Ordinance Code Sec. 8.36.020
Section 8.36.020 - Prohibited sounds. It is unlawful for any person to do, or cause to be done, any of the following acts within the unincorporated areas of the county: ... H. To create noise from construction, between the hours of nine (9:00) p.m. and six (6:00) a.m. on weekdays and nine (9:00) p.m. and eight (8:00) a.m. on weekends, which is audible to a person with average hearing faculties ...
Unincorporated Kern County levies a 6% Transient Occupancy Tax under Code Chapter 4.16, authorized by California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7280. Operators must register with the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector and file quarterly returns even with zero rental activity. Late returns incur penalties under Section 4.16.100.
Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector — Short-Term Rental TOT (6% rate, unincorporated Kern County)
All short term vacation rentals located in the unincorporated areas of Kern County must register an application for a certificate of TOT for each dwelling, unit, or bedroom that is individually advertised. The tax is levied at 6% in unincorporated Kern County areas. Each separately advertised rental must have its own TOT certificate. A filing for each TOT certificate must be made quarterly, eve...
No Kern County ordinance imposes parking requirements specifically on short-term rentals. The standard residential off-street parking minimums of Zoning Ordinance Chapter 19.82 apply, including two spaces per single-family dwelling in unincorporated areas.
Kern County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 19.82.020(A)
19.82.010 PURPOSE AND APPLICATION. The purpose of this chapter is to reduce street congestion and promote the safety and convenience of the residents of Kern County by requiring the provision of adequate and well-designed parking in connection with the land uses authorized by this title. ... The standards in this chapter are minimum standards. 19.82.020 REQUIRED PARKING SPACES. Uses permitted b...
Kern County's Transient Occupancy Tax Chapter 4.16 does not set per-bedroom guest caps, overnight occupancy limits, or daytime gathering limits for short-term rentals in the unincorporated area. The only quantitative threshold is the 30-day stay length that triggers the TOT.
Kern County Code § 4.16.020(G) (Ord. G-6323 § 2, 1996; Ord. G-5838 § 2, 1992)
'Transient' means any person who exercises occupancy or is entitled to occupancy by reason of concession, permit, right of access, license or other agreement for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days, counting portions of calendar days as full days.
3 cities in Kern County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Kern County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Kern County Ordinance Hub →