Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Kern County, CA

Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are allowed in Kern County, CA, but operators must obtain a permit before listing. All STRs in unincorporated areas must register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate for each advertised unit. Operators must remit a 6% tax quarterly and maintain all rental records, receipts, and exemptions for at least three years for potential audit. "Airbnb" is a brand name; the rules on this page apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.). See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

All STRs in unincorporated areas must register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate for each advertised unit. Operators must remit a 6% tax quarterly and maintain all rental records, receipts, and exemptions for at least three years for potential audit.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Kern County. 1. Create an account on the Kern County TOT Certificate Registration and Tax Portal (Deckard). 2. Submit an application for a TOT Certificate for each dwelling or unit advertised. 3. Once registered, manage the certificate and remit taxes quarterly through the online portal.

1. Create an account on the Kern County TOT Certificate Registration and Tax Portal (Deckard). 2. Submit an application for a TOT Certificate for each dwelling or unit advertised. 3. Once registered, manage the certificate and remit taxes quarterly through the online portal.

Yes. Vrbo operates under the same short-term rental rules as Airbnb in Kern County, CA, since regulations apply to the rental activity rather than the booking platform. A permit is required before you list on Vrbo or any other platform. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Kern County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Kern County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.