Bakersfield charges a 12% transient occupancy tax on hotel and short-term rental stays under 30 days, collected by the operator and remitted monthly to the city Finance Department under municipal code Chapter 3.40.
Bakersfield's TOT applies to all transient lodging including hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts, and short-term rentals booked for stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days. The 12% rate applies to room rate and certain associated charges. Operators register with the city Finance Department, collect tax from guests, file monthly returns, and remit collected funds. Stays of 30+ days qualify as residential and are TOT-exempt. Online platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit on behalf of hosts under platform agreements with the city.
Failure to collect, file, or remit TOT triggers the unpaid tax plus penalties up to 25%, interest, and possible misdemeanor charges. Persistent violators face business license revocation and civil collection action.
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See how Bakersfield's transient occupancy tax rules stack up against other locations.
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