Kern County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- STR-specific parking rule
- None; general residential standards apply
- Single-family dwelling
- Two spaces per dwelling unit
- Rooming or boarding house
- One space per bedroom
- Standard type
- Minimum off-street parking requirement
Summary
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.
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 by this chapter shall provide off-street parking spaces according to the following schedule: A. Residential Uses: ... 2. Boarding house, rooming house, residential hotel, fraternity or sorority house, or dormitory: One (1) per bedroom ... 6. Single-family dwelling or mobilehome: Two (2) per dwelling unit
Full Breakdown
The Kern County Zoning Ordinance (Title 19, February 2026 edition) contains no short-term rental chapter, so vacation rentals are not assigned a separate parking ratio. Chapter 19.82 establishes minimum off-street parking for all permitted uses. Section 19.82.020(A)(6) requires two spaces per single-family dwelling or mobilehome, and Section 19.82.020(A)(2) requires one space per bedroom for boarding houses, rooming houses, and residential hotels. Under Section 19.82.010, required parking must be provided when a main building is erected or enlarged or when a use is established, changed, or expanded, and the chapter's standards are expressly minimum standards.
Violations & Fines
Zoning violations are misdemeanors under Section 19.114.060, punishable by a fine up to $1,000 or six months in county jail; each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many parking spaces must a short-term rental provide in unincorporated Kern County?
Does Kern County limit street parking for vacation rental guests?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kern County
California rules heatmap·Compare Kern County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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