How to Legally Run an Airbnb or Short-Term Rental in Bakersfield
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Bakersfield California?
Yes. Bakersfield requires hosts to obtain a city short-term rental permit before listing a property on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo for stays under 30 days. Operating without a permit is a code enforcement violation. Current permit fees and application requirements are set by the city and can change, so confirm the latest details at bakersfieldcity.us.
Does Bakersfield have a transient occupancy tax for short-term rentals?
Yes. Bakersfield levies a transient occupancy tax on short-term rental income. Some platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax automatically under agreements with certain cities, but hosts should confirm with the city Finance Department whether their specific platform has such an agreement in place, rather than assuming remittance is handled for them.
Can a renter (not the owner) host an Airbnb in Bakersfield?
Renters who want to operate a short-term rental in Bakersfield generally need written authorization from their landlord as part of the city's permit application process. Even with city approval, a lease that prohibits subletting or short-term rentals can still result in eviction. Check both your lease terms and your HOA rules, if applicable, before applying for a permit.
What happens if my HOA bans short-term rentals but the city allows them in my zone?
A city short-term rental permit does not override your homeowners association's CC&Rs. If your HOA's governing documents prohibit short-term rentals, the HOA can enforce that restriction independently of whether you hold a valid city permit. Always review your CC&Rs before listing, and consult the HOA board or a real estate attorney if the language is ambiguous.
Where do I report a problem with a short-term rental in Bakersfield?
Complaints about short-term rentals in Bakersfield, including noise, parking, and trash issues, are handled by the city's code enforcement division. Hosts are required to post contact information for a local responsible party who must be reachable around the clock, so neighbors can report problems directly before escalating to code enforcement. Contact information for city code enforcement is available at bakersfieldcity.us.
Bakersfield has had rules on the books governing short-term rentals - properties rented through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo for fewer than 30 consecutive days - and hosts who skip the city's permitting process can face fines. If you're renting out a spare room, a guest house, or your whole home while you travel, here's what the city requires before you list.
Related: Long Beach Short-Term Rental Rules: What Airbnb Hosts Need to Know Before Listing · San Diego's Short-Term Rental Rules: What Airbnb Hosts Need to Know Before They List
What Bakersfield's Short-Term Rental Rules Actually Cover
The city of Bakersfield treats short-term rentals as a distinct category from standard residential rental housing, and that distinction matters. A short-term rental is generally defined as any dwelling unit, or portion of one, rented to guests for fewer than 30 consecutive days. This covers the full range: a single bedroom in an owner-occupied home, an accessory dwelling unit in the backyard, or an entire house rented while the owner is away.
The city's approach has distinguished between "hosted" rentals, where the owner is present on the property during the guest's stay, and "unhosted" rentals, where the property is rented out entirely without the owner present. Unhosted short-term rentals have faced stricter scrutiny in many California cities, and Bakersfield's framework reflects that tension. Zoning matters too: where a property sits in the city's zoning map can affect whether a short-term rental is permitted at all. Confirm your property's zoning status through the Bakersfield Planning and Development Services department before investing in a listing.
The Permit Requirement
Operating a short-term rental in Bakersfield without the required city permit is a code enforcement violation. The city requires hosts to obtain a short-term rental permit, and separately, any rental income is subject to the city's transient occupancy tax, commonly called TOT. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit TOT on behalf of hosts in many jurisdictions, but verifying that the city has a current collection agreement with your specific platform is the host's responsibility - don't assume remittance is automatic.
Because permit fees and specific application requirements can be updated by city council action, this piece won't name a specific dollar figure for the permit. The city's Development Services department maintains the current fee schedule. What's consistent: you'll need to apply, pay a fee, and renew periodically. Operating without a permit, or letting a permit lapse while continuing to host, is the most common way Bakersfield short-term rental operators end up with code violations.
What You'll Need to Apply
The application process generally requires proof of property ownership or, for renters who want to host, written landlord authorization. The city will want a valid address, contact information for a local responsible party who can respond to complaints within a short window (often specified in hours, not days), and confirmation that the property meets basic life-safety requirements - working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and posted emergency information for guests are standard asks. Some jurisdictions also require a site plan or floor plan showing sleeping areas. Check the current application checklist directly with Development Services, since these requirements can be updated.
If you own the property through an LLC or other business entity, bring that documentation as well. And if your property is in a homeowners association, be aware that the city permit does not override HOA rules - your CC&Rs may prohibit short-term rentals regardless of what the city allows.
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Enforcement and Neighbor Complaints
Bakersfield's code enforcement division handles short-term rental complaints, which typically come from neighbors. Noise, parking, and trash are the three most common triggers. The city's rules require hosts to post clear contact information for that local responsible party, specifically so neighbors have someone to call before contacting code enforcement. Repeated complaints can jeopardize a permit, and the city has the authority to revoke permits for hosts who accumulate violations.
Platforms like Airbnb also have their own complaint mechanisms, and a city violation and a platform suspension can happen independently. Neither one cancels the other out.
Where to Get the Current Rules
The city's official source for short-term rental permitting is the Bakersfield Planning and Development Services department. The city's main website, bakersfieldcity.us, links to development services and the current municipal code. For transient occupancy tax questions specifically, the city Finance Department handles registration and remittance. If you're unsure whether your property's zoning allows a short-term rental at all, a pre-application meeting with Planning staff is the fastest way to get a direct answer before you spend money on a listing.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Short-term rental permit requirements, fees, and zoning rules in Bakersfield can change by city council action - always verify current requirements directly with the city of Bakersfield at bakersfieldcity.us or by contacting the Planning and Development Services department before listing your property.