Bakersfield, California Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Bakersfield Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
The City does not have a Short Term Rental ordinance and noted its municipal code is silent on the question of STRs. Zoning is subject to changes, and you should consult City’s Planning Department directly or a local lawyer or tax professional.Business License Requirements
Bakersfield doesn’t have any regulations pertaining to registering short-term rentals. If applicable, apply for all State and County licenses.Building and Housing Standards
Bakersfield has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Please consult the City’s Planning Department for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might be subjected to state sales tax and are liable for payment thereof as established by state law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Bakersfield City website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating7.4
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Competition
7.8 -
Real Estate Cost
7.4 -
STR Regulations
10.0 -
Seasonality
9.0 -
Rental Rates
2.8
Bakersfield, California Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 403,455
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June to August
- County
- Kern
- Airports
- Meadows Field Airport (BFL)
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Want to learn more about Bakersfield?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Bakersfield rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Bakersfield rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Bakersfield.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Bakersfield guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California short term rental regulations directory
What makes Bakersfield a great place to invest?
- Bakersfield is home to a wide variety of tourist attractions that offer something for everyone. One of the most popular attractions is the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, which features exhibits on the natural history of the area, including the Kern River Valley, the Southern Sierra Nevada, and the Mojave Desert. Additionally, there are also several great museums, like the Kern County Museum, which provides an in-depth look at the history and culture of Bakersfield and the surrounding area.
- Bakersfield is known for its abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and camping in the nearby Sequoia National Forest and the Lake Isabella area. The Kern River, which runs through the city, is a popular spot for fishing, rafting, and kayaking. The city also has several beautiful parks, such as the Mill Creek Park, where visitors can enjoy a variety of activities like fishing, picnicking and hiking.
- Bakersfield is also home to several professional sports teams, including the Bakersfield Condors, who play in the American Hockey League and the Bakersfield Train Robbers, a baseball team that play in the Pecos League. The city also has several great sports venues, like the Rabobank Arena, where visitors can catch a game or a concert.
- Bakersfield is also home to several great restaurants and shopping centers, including the Valley Plaza Mall, which features over 150 stores, and the Marketplace at River Walk, which offers a unique outdoor shopping experience. Additionally, the city is also home to several festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Bakersfield Jazz Festival, which features some of the best jazz musicians in the world, and the Kern County Fair, which offers a wide variety of entertainment and activities for all ages.
- Bakersfield is also a great place to experience the natural beauty of California. The city is surrounded by scenic mountains and valleys, and it's a great place to see the stars at night. The city is also close to several national parks, such as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, which are home to the largest trees on Earth, the giant sequoias. This is a great place to explore the natural beauty of the state, whether you're interested in hiking, camping, or just enjoying the scenery.
Bakersfield Nearby Cities
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66 miles away
- Rating: 7.0
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67 miles away
- Rating: 6.8
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Bakersfield?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Bakersfield has increased 2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $217, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$376,342
2% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$217
-2% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,804
2% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Bakersfield
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Bakersfield, California
Common terms for Bakersfield short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Bakersfield has a description approximately 871 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 824 listings in Bakersfield, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Pool, Bakersfield, Quiet, Place, Family, Spacious, Backyard, Beautiful, Outdoor, and Patio.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Bakersfield?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Bakersfield involve going to the City Centre, Adventure Activities, Museums, Antiquing, and Swimming. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Adventure Activities
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Museums
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Antiquing
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Swimming
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Cycling
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Hiking
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Outlet Shopping
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Health Spa
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Mountain Biking
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Zoo
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Wildlife Viewing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Bakersfield, including Mechanics Bank Arena, California State University-Bakersfield, Buck Owens Crystal Palace, Kern County Fairgrounds, and Fox Theater. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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Mechanics Bank Arena
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Buck Owens Crystal Palace
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Kern County Fairgrounds
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Fox Theater
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Valley Plaza Mall
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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California State University-Bakersfield
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Bakersfield College
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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The Park At River Walk
Included on most listings
What’s the weather like in Bakersfield, California?
The weather is generally warmer than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 79°, while the average low is about 56°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 8 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Bakersfield are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
43° Low 62° High
Spring
March through May
54° Low 78° High
Summer
June through August
69° Low 96° High
Fall
September through November
57° Low 80° High
Cities Near Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California, is located in Kern County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
