Taxes & Fees: Tulare vs Visalia
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare has fewer restrictions than Visalia.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
The City of Tulare has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance, but any rental of 30 consecutive days or less is a transient occupancy and triggers state-default tax/business-license duties. Tulare County's draft STR ordinance was voted down 3-2 in February 2025, so the existing County Transient Occupancy Tax (10% of rent) framework remains the operative model for unincorporated comparables; inside the City limits, operators must obtain a city business license under Tulare Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations) and Hosts on Airbnb/Vrbo are responsible for state sales/use tax and any applicable TOT collection. Confirm the current city TOT rate and registration form with the City of Tulare Finance Department before listing.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
Visalia requires STR operators to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all short-term stays. The city charges TOT on rentals of 30 days or less.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| City STR ordinance | None adopted as of 2026 | - |
| City business license | Required under Tulare Municipal Code Title 5 | - |
| County TOT (reference) | 10% of rent, stays ≤30 days | - |
| County STR ordinance status | Draft voted down 3-2 (Feb 2025) | - |
| TOT remittance frequency | Quarterly (County model) | - |
| TOT | - | Required on stays ≤30 days |
| Registration | - | Finance Department |
| Filing | - | Regular remittance |
| Platforms | - | May collect on behalf |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Does the City of Tulare collect a separate transient occupancy tax?
Confirm with the Tulare Finance Department at City Hall, 411 East Kern Ave. Most California general-law cities have a Title 3 TOT chapter; Tulare County (unincorporated) charges 10%, which is the regional benchmark.
Do I need a business license to list on Airbnb?
Yes. Tulare Municipal Code Title 5 requires a city business license for any person transacting business in the city, including short-term residential rental operators.
What counts as a 'transient' rental?
Under the Tulare County model (Title 1 Chapter 5), any stay of 30 consecutive calendar days or less. Stays longer than 30 days are treated as a regular residential tenancy and are exempt from TOT.
Visalia FAQ
What tax do Visalia STR hosts pay?
Hosts must collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax on all stays of 30 days or less. Register with the Finance Department.
Does Airbnb collect TOT in Visalia?
Some platforms may collect TOT, but operators should verify with the Finance Department and ensure all applicable taxes are remitted.
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