Rental Property Rules in Fresno, CA (2026)
10 verified rental property rules for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Fresno does not have a local rent control ordinance. However, the statewide California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) applies to most residential rental properties in Fresno. AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, or 10%, whichever is lower. The law applies to buildings 15 or more years old and exempts single-family homes owned by individuals (with proper notice), duplexes where the owner occupies one unit, and properties built within the last 15 years.
Fresno Rent Control & Stabilization
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019, AB 1482)
(a)(1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the ...
Just Cause Eviction
Fresno does not have a local just-cause eviction ordinance, but the statewide AB 1482 provides just-cause eviction protections for tenants who have occupied a unit for 12 or more months. Landlords of covered properties cannot terminate tenancies without a legally recognized reason, categorized as at-fault (lease violations, nonpayment) or no-fault (owner move-in, substantial renovation, withdrawal from rental market). No-fault evictions require relocation assistance equal to one month's rent.
Fresno Just Cause Eviction Protections
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019, AB 1482)
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate the tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously and la...
Rental Registration
Fresno requires all residential rental properties to be registered with the City under the Rental Housing Improvement Act (FMC Chapter 10, Article 11). Registration must be completed within 30 days of receiving initial notice. The program was established to address substandard rental housing conditions and promote compliance with health and safety standards. There is no fee to register, but failure to register results in penalties.
Fresno Rental Property Registration
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act)
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...
Relocation Assistance
Fresno landlords invoking AB 1482 no-fault eviction must pay the tenant one month's rent in relocation assistance or waive the final month's rent. Payment is due at notice service for displaced households.
Relocation Assistance for No-Fault Evictions in Fresno
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §1946.2(d) (Tenant Protection Act)
(d)(1) For a tenancy for which just cause is required to terminate the tenancy under subdivision (a), if an owner of residential real property issues a termination notice based on a no-fault just cause described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the owner shall, regardless of the tenant's income, at the owner's option, do one of the following: (A) Assist the tenant to relocate by providing a...
Security Deposit Rules
California caps Fresno security deposits at one month's rent for most residential tenancies under AB 12, effective July 2024. Landlords must itemize deductions and return the balance within twenty-one days of move-out.
Security Deposit Limits for Fresno Rentals
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §1950.5
(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), (3), or (5), a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of an amount equal to one month's rent, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy. ... (5)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, in an...
No-Fault Evictions
AB 1482 limits Fresno no-fault evictions to specific reasons including owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from rental market, or government order. Landlords must give written notice and pay one month's relocation assistance.
No-Fault Eviction Rules for Fresno Tenants
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §1946.2(b)(2) (Tenant Protection Act)
(2) No-fault just cause, which means any of the following: (A)(i) Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or the owner's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents for a minimum of 12 continuous months as that person's primary residence... (B) Withdrawal of the residential real property from the rental market. (C)(i) The owner complying with ...
Tenant Anti-Harassment
California law protects Fresno tenants from landlord harassment intended to force them out, including utility shut-offs, lockouts, and threats based on immigration status. Violations expose landlords to civil damages and criminal liability.
Tenant Anti-Harassment Protections in Fresno
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §1940.2
(a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling: (1) Engage in conduct that violates subdivision (a) of Section 484 of the Penal Code. (2) Engage in conduct that violates Section 518 of the Penal Code. (3) Use, or threaten to use, force, willful threats, or menacing conduct constituting a course of conduct that interferes...
Source-of-Income Discrimination
California Government Code prohibits Fresno landlords from refusing tenants because they pay rent with Section 8 vouchers or other lawful subsidies. Source of income is a protected characteristic under state fair-housing law.
Source-of-Income Protection for Fresno Renters
Some RestrictionsCal. Government Code §12955 (FEHA)
It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person... (p)(1) For the pu...
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
Fresno Housing Authority administers federal Section 8 housing-choice vouchers in Fresno. Landlords accepting vouchers enter a Housing Assistance Payments contract and submit to inspections under HUD's Housing Quality Standards.
Section 8 Vouchers in Fresno Rental Housing
Few RestrictionsCal. Gov. Code § 12955 (Fair Employment & Housing Act)
12955. It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person.
AB-1482 Notice Disclosure
California AB 1482 requires Fresno landlords to give tenants a written notice explaining statewide rent-cap and just-cause protections. The disclosure must appear in the lease or as a standalone document signed by the tenant.
AB 1482 Disclosure Required in Fresno Leases
Some RestrictionsCal. Civil Code §1947.12
(a)(1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the ...
Looking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fresno city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Fresno County →