Does Bakersfield, CA have its own taxes & fees ordinance?

No. Bakersfield, CA does not appear to have a local taxes & fees ordinance, California state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from CA Rev & Tax Code §7280.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Tax owed: Transient lodging tax on every STR
Tax chapter: BMC Chapter 3.40
Fee authority: Set by city council resolution
Unpaid TLT remedy: City can order full repayment

Summary

Every Bakersfield short-term rental owes the transient lodging tax (TLT) under Section 17.74.060(E), and the city council sets all STR permit and renewal fees by resolution under Section 17.74.080. Operators without a hosting platform remit TLT directly under Chapter 3.40; unpaid TLT triggers a repayment order under Section 17.74.070(F).

E. Transient lodging taxes (TLT) shall be collected on all STRs. ... 17.74.080 Fees. The city council shall establish and set by resolution all fees and charges as may be necessary to effectuate the purpose of this chapter.

Source: CA Rev & Tax Code §7280View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 5221, passed July 15, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Bakersfield layers two separate money obligations onto every short-term rental. 40 of the municipal code, the same TLT chapter that hotels and motels pay into. 040(A)(3). 040(E). 74, to know the exact cost. 070(F).

Violations & Fines

Failing to collect and remit transient lodging tax on a Bakersfield STR violates Section 17.74.060(E) and Chapter 3.40, and a city-initiated action can order repayment of all unpaid TLT under Section 17.74.070(F). Outstanding code enforcement citation fees on the property block both new STR permits and renewals under Sections 17.74.030(B)(13) and 17.74.040(F).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Bakersfield short-term rental hosts have to pay hotel tax?

Yes. Section 17.74.060(E) requires transient lodging tax to be collected on every STR in the city, following the same Chapter 3.40 mechanics that apply to hotels and motels; a hosting platform collects and remits it in lieu of the operator when a booking runs through the platform.

How much is the Bakersfield STR permit fee?

Section 17.74.080 does not set a dollar figure in the ordinance: it authorizes the city council to establish and set all STR fees and charges by resolution, so the current permit, renewal, and reapplication fees are found in the council's fee resolution, not the chapter text itself.

What happens if TLT isn't paid on a Bakersfield STR booking?

If the city brings a criminal, civil, or administrative action and finds a violation, Section 17.74.070(F) orders repayment of all unpaid transient lodging tax, and outstanding citation fees separately block the property from getting a new STR permit or renewing an existing one.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bakersfield

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSignificant Restrictions Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Short-Term Rental PermitsSignificant Restrictions Host Platform LiabilitySome Restrictions Insurance RequirementsSome Restrictions Extended Home ShareSignificant Restrictions Repeat Violator StrikesSignificant Restrictions Night CapsSignificant Restrictions Occupancy LimitsSome Restrictions Noise RulesSome Restrictions Short-Term Rental Parking RulesHeavy Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Bakersfield rules

How Bakersfield compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·California rules heatmap·Compare Bakersfield to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview

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