BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 The Bakersfield City Council could approve creating a new ordinance allowing and regulating short-term rentals in the city \u2014 such as Airbnbs and Vrbos \u2014 in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
The City Council is set to hold a first reading of the proposed ordinance during its regular meeting Wednesday, according to the meeting agenda.<\/p>\n
Airbnb, Vrbo properties in Bakersfield could face stronger regulations, new permit requirement: documents <\/a><\/p>\n STRs currently aren\u2019t allowed to operate in Bakersfield, city officials said. The city estimates there to be over 500 such properties in Bakersfield.<\/p>\n The ordinance, if adopted, would require STR owners or operators to acquire a permit from the city on top of a business tax certificate.<\/p>\n The permit would be valid for one year and can be renewed if the owner didn\u2019t receive two or more citations during that time, according to the proposed ordinance.<\/p>\n They would also pay the transient lodging tax, also known as transient occupancy tax or \u201chotel tax,\u201d to the city. STRs can generate millions of dollars for the city in tax, city officials said.<\/p>\n The ordinance would also place several new restrictions on STRs, according to documents.<\/p>\n These include designating an emergency contact person available 24\/7; limiting capacity to two people per bedroom; banning outdoor pools, spas and tubs during the night and more.<\/p>\n The ordinance aims to tackle issues like noise, trash and parking, along with an alleged decline in available long-term housing options, with the rise of STRs across the county, according to city officials.<\/p>\n