13 verified short-term rentals rules for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
City of Fresno requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit before renting or advertising a dwelling for stays of 30 days or less. Permit required prior to listing on any platform. Zone clearance for zoning compliance also required.
Short-term rentals in Fresno must comply with the same FMC §10-105 noise limits as other residences: 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime at property lines. Fresno's STR ordinance (FMC Chapter 9, Article 25) requires each STR to post a 24-hour local contact who must respond to noise complaints within one hour.
Fresno charges a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on stays of 30 days or less under FMC §7-601 et seq. Hosts must register, collect, and remit TOT monthly regardless of platform. A Business Tax Certificate is also required. Airbnb collects and remits TOT for Fresno under a voluntary agreement; Vrbo hosts generally must remit themselves.
Fresno STR permits require one off-street parking space per bedroom, with a minimum of two spaces for whole-house rentals. Guest vehicles may not block driveways, sidewalks, or fire hydrants, and overnight parking on residential streets is generally allowed but subject to standard FMC parking rules.
Cal. Veh. Code § 22651
22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which th...
Fresno STR permits cap occupancy at two persons per bedroom plus two additional, up to a hard maximum of 12 overnight guests per permitted unit. Events and gatherings cannot exceed the daytime limit of 150% of overnight occupancy, consistent with building code and fire occupant load limits.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17920.3
17920.3. Any building or portion thereof, regardless of zoning designation or approved uses of the building, including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the occupants of the building, nearby r...
Fresno requires STR operators to carry commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, or to verify equivalent coverage through their hosting platform. Proof of insurance must be submitted with the STR permit application and kept current throughout the permit term.
Fresno does not currently impose an annual night cap on short-term rentals. Hosted STRs and whole-house STRs may operate year-round subject to permit compliance. Several California cities have adopted 90-180 night caps for non-hosted STRs, and Fresno planners have discussed similar limits but none are in force as of 2026.
All short-term rentals in Fresno must obtain an STR permit from the Planning and Development Department before listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar platforms. The process requires a completed application, property owner authorization, floor plan, parking diagram, proof of insurance, TOT registration, and a Business Tax Certificate. Permits renew annually.
Fresno does not impose a hosted-only rule. Operators may rent out an entire dwelling without the host residing on-site, provided the unit is permitted under FMC Chapter 9-15 and a 24/7 local contact is designated.
Fresno's STR framework distinguishes between primary-residence rentals and non-primary investor units. Primary-residence operators face fewer restrictions, while non-primary STRs may be capped or limited by zone under FMC Chapter 9-15.
Fresno enforces a progressive enforcement system for short-term rentals that accumulate repeated nuisance, noise, or occupancy violations. Multiple substantiated complaints within a defined period can trigger permit suspension or revocation under FMC Chapter 9-15.
Fresno requires short-term rental listings on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to display a valid city permit number. Hosts bear responsibility for listing accuracy, and unpermitted listings can be removed at the city's request.
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fresno city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Fresno County →