Bakersfield, CA Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)
Key Facts
- No annual night
- No annual night cap; year-round STR rental allowed
- Rate
- 12%
- H&S §13113.7 smoke
- H&S §13113.7 smoke alarms + §13113.8 CO alarms required
- R-1/R-2/R-3 zones allow
- R-1/R-2/R-3 zones allow STR without CUP (verify each parcel)
- Maintain remittance records
- Maintain remittance records in case a future cap is enacted
Summary
Bakersfield does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights a short-term rental can operate, allowing year-round rental of both primary and non-primary residences. However, operators must remit TOT on every booking and comply with all zoning, fire (H&S §13113.7 smoke alarms), and noise rules regardless of rental volume.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, smoke alarms, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 13114 at the time of installation, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in each dwelling intended for human occupancy. 'Dwelling units intended for human occupancy,' as used in this section, includes a one- or two-unit dwelling, lodging house, apartment complex, hotel, motel, condominium, stock cooperative, time-share project, or dwelling unit of a multiple-unit dwelling complex.
Full Breakdown
Cities like San Francisco (90-night cap for non-hosted) and Santa Monica impose strict night limits on short-term rentals, but Bakersfield has taken a more permissive approach and does not cap the number of nights per year. 40, and meet building and fire code requirements. 8 requires carbon monoxide alarms in homes with attached garages or fuel-burning appliances - both apply to STRs. Zoning districts R-1, R-2, and R-3 allow STR use without a Conditional Use Permit, while some mixed-use downtown districts may require administrative review.
If Bakersfield later adopts an STR ordinance, grandfathered operators would likely be limited to the terms of existing permits, so existing operators should maintain accurate remittance records to prove active use. Short-term rental of rooms in a primary residence follows the same framework and also has no night cap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my Bakersfield house 300+ nights a year?
Will night caps be added?
Are primary-residence rentals treated differently?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bakersfield
California rules heatmap·Compare Bakersfield to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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