Hanford's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Hanford, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Hanford has no STR-specific parking requirement. Parking standards for the underlying residential use apply under Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 17.54 (Parking and Loading Standards), which requires single-family dwellings to provide one covered and one uncovered off-street parking space. Multifamily units have unit-count-based requirements and may use tandem parking for up to 50% of required spaces. STR guests parking on the street must follow standard California Vehicle Code rules, including the 72-hour street-storage limit (CVC §22651(k)).

Key details: Code Section: Hanford Municipal Code Ch. 17.54. Single-Family Spaces: 1 covered + 1 uncovered. STR-Specific Parking: None; underlying use rule. Tandem (Multifamily): Up to 50% of required spaces. Setback Rule: No required parking in setbacks (except driveways).

Failure to provide the required one covered and one uncovered parking space when establishing a residential use, or providing required spaces in a setback contrary to Chapter 17.54, is a zoning violation enforceable by Hanford's Planning and Code Enforcement staff and can result in citations or denial of permits. Vehicles parked on a public street more than 72 consecutive hours may be cited and towed under California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k). Blocking a driveway, sidewalk, or red-curb area is subject to citation and tow. Hanford Municipal Code violations are generally enforceable as infractions or misdemeanors under the Municipal Code's general penalty schedule.

Occupancy Limits

Hanford has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance and does not impose a city-specific guest cap on STRs. Occupancy is governed by state law: California Government Code §65852.2 (limited to ADUs) requires that ADU rentals be for terms longer than 30 days, effectively barring STR use of accessory dwelling units, while general occupancy of a single-family dwelling is limited only by the federal HUD '2 + 1' guideline (two persons per bedroom plus one) commonly applied under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and by California Building Code minimum room-area standards. Transient Occupancy Tax under Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 still applies for stays of 30 days or less.

Key details: City STR Cap: None; no STR ordinance. ADU Short-Term Rental: Prohibited (Gov. Code §65852.2). ADU Minimum Term: More than 30 days. Fair Housing Guideline: 2 per bedroom + 1 (HUD). Sleeping Room Minimum: 70 sq ft (Cal. Building Code).

Because Hanford has no STR-specific occupancy ordinance, enforcement focuses on building, fair housing, and tax rules. Renting an ADU on a short-term basis violates Government Code Section 65852.2 and Hanford's ADU policy and can be enforced by Code Enforcement, leading to orders to cease the rental. Overcrowding that violates the California Building Code's minimum room-area standards may be cited by the Building Division. Failure to collect or remit Transient Occupancy Tax is a violation of Hanford Municipal Code Chapter 3.24, with a 10% penalty on tax paid within 30 days after the delinquent date and an additional 10% penalty thereafter, plus interest at one-half of one percent per month.

Hanford is more permissive than most cities when it comes to occupancy limits. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Hanford's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Hanford is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Hanford can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.