13 verified short-term rentals rules for Fresno, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
The City of Fresno requires a Short Term Rental (STR) Permit before any home or room is rented or advertised for transient (30 days or less) use. The permit holder must be the property owner, the permit expires annually, and an approved zone clearance must be obtained first.
City of Fresno Finance Department - Short Term Rentals requirements (Business License & Tax Certificate page)
If you rent your property, or a portion of your property, to a guest(s) on a short-term basis, you are subject to the City of Fresno requirements below and must obtain a Short Term Rental (STR) Permit. An STR Permit is required before the home or room(s) can be rented or advertised for rent. The STR permit holder must be the property owner. The STR permit expires annually on the anniversary of ...
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...
The City of Fresno's published STR requirements do not set a specific overnight-guest or per-bedroom cap. Allowable occupancy is governed by the zone clearance and the underlying residential use under the Citywide Development Code, plus building and fire code occupant-load limits and the City's nuisance prohibition.
City of Fresno Finance Department - Short Term Rentals requirements (nuisance/occupancy guardrail)
The STR permit holder is responsible for preventing any nuisance activities, including noise, parties, etc.
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.
Fresno STR operators must register twice with the City: by obtaining a Short Term Rental Permit (after zone clearance) and by applying for a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate so they can collect and remit the 12% TOT and 2% TBID. The STR permit renews annually.
City of Fresno Finance Department - Short Term Rentals registration requirements
An STR Permit is required before the home or room(s) can be rented or advertised for rent. The STR permit holder must be the property owner. The STR permit expires annually on the anniversary of its issuance... The STR permit holder is not required to pay business tax on the revenue earned. The STR permit holder is responsible for collecting and paying Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to the City ...
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 →