Bakersfield does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Investors and second-home owners may operate STRs throughout permitted zones provided they obtain a Chapter 10 permit and remit transient occupancy tax.
Many California coastal cities cap short-term rentals at a hosts primary residence to protect long-term housing supply. Bakersfield, more conservative on land-use regulation, has not adopted that approach. Non-primary, investor-owned STRs are allowed in residential zones that permit transient lodging under the Bakersfield Zoning Ordinance. Owners must obtain a city STR permit through Chapter 10, collect the 12 percent transient occupancy tax, and meet building, fire, and parking standards. Homeowners associations may impose additional restrictions, but no citywide primary-residence cap exists. Operators should still confirm zoning eligibility before purchasing for STR use.
Operating an unpermitted investor STR, misrepresenting occupancy status on platform listings, or failing to collect transient occupancy tax can lead to fines, permit denial, and tax assessment.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code 6.04.230 prohibits keeping any animal, bird, or fowl that by sound or cry unreasonably disturbs the peace or interferes with the c...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Municipal Code Chapter 9.22 prohibits any loud, unnecessary noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, or that causes discomfort...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not generally ban overnight street parking, but BMC 10.40.010 makes it unlawful for any vehicle (operable or not) to remain parked on a publ...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not restrict year-round lawn ornaments (statues, gnomes, flamingos, religious figures, sports themes) on residential property. There is no p...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield does not regulate residential inflatable holiday displays by size, lighting, or motor noise. They qualify as seasonal decorations exempt under BM...
Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield's outdoor lighting standards exempt seasonal decorations as long as they are not in use for more than 60 consecutive days. Residential lots zoned...
See how Bakersfield's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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