Pop. 542,107 · Fresno County
Carports allowed as accessory structures in residential zones per Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Title 15 (Citywide Development Code). Must meet setbacks for primary structure in most…
Fresno allows tiny homes primarily as ADUs under CA Gov Code §65852.2 and FMC accessory-dwelling-unit provisions. Tiny homes on wheels permitted only as Movable Tiny Houses (MTH)…
Fresno reviews ADU applications ministerially through the Planning Division of the Department of Planning and Development (DARM/Planning) under FMC Section 15-2754, consistent with…
California Government Code §65852.2(a)(6) prohibits using ADUs and JADUs as short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days. Fresno's FMC 15-2754 incorporates this minimum 30-day lease…
Fresno cannot charge impact fees on ADUs under 750 square feet under California Government Code §65852.2(f)(3)(A), which preempts local fee schedules. For ADUs 750 sf and larger…
Under California AB 587 (codified at Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(6)), Fresno cannot impose owner-occupancy requirements on ADUs permitted between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025. After…
Converting a garage to living space in Fresno generally means creating an Accessory Dwelling Unit under Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-2754, and California Government Code Section…
In Fresno a one-story detached tool/storage shed of 120 square feet or less, no more than 12 feet high, and at least 3 feet from property lines needs no building permit; accessory…
Fresno permits Accessory Dwelling Units (called Second Dwelling Units, Backyard Cottages, and Accessory Living Quarters) on any residential lot under Fresno Municipal Code Section…
Per the City of Fresno's Code Enforcement FAQs, farm animals such as rabbits, ducks, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and horses are not permitted in residentially zoned districts…
Livestock such as horses, cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, and llamas are only allowed in AE (Agricultural Exclusive), RE (Rural Estate), and similar rural zones in Fresno. Standard R-1…
Fresno enforces California Penal Code animal cruelty and hoarding provisions through Fresno County Animal Center field officers and the Fresno Police Department, particularly when…
Fresno encourages but does not strictly mandate cat licensing. Cats must be kept under owner control, vaccinated for rabies if over four months old, and may be impounded if found…
Fresno encourages spay and neuter for owned dogs and cats and applies differential licensing fees favoring altered animals. Adoptions from the Fresno County Animal Center include spay…
Fresno strongly encourages microchipping dogs and cats to ensure return to owners when lost. Adopted animals from Fresno County Animal Center are microchipped before release as part of…
Fresno borders agricultural and foothill habitats where coyotes routinely enter neighborhoods. The city follows California Department of Fish and Wildlife guidance encouraging hazing…
California AB 485 requires Fresno pet stores selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to source only from public shelters or rescue organizations. Retail sale of breeder-supplied puppies…
Under Fresno Municipal Code section 15-2707, residential properties smaller than 36,000 square feet may keep no more than 4 animals (any combination of dogs and cats over 4 months…
Fresno does not impose breed-specific dog bans. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preempts breed-specific dog regulation statewide, providing that 'no program…
California Fish and Game Code §251.3 prohibits feeding big game, furbearing mammals, and non-game mammals statewide. FMC §9-2810 also prohibits feeding of feral cats, pigeons, rodents…
FMC §9-2703 requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in an enclosed area whenever off the owner's property. Off-leash is only permitted at designated Fresno dog parks…
California Fish and Game Code §2118 prohibits private ownership of most exotic and wild animals statewide including large cats, bears, primates, wolves, ferrets, and many reptiles…
Fresno allows backyard beekeeping on single-family residential lots with up to two hives on lots under 10,000 square feet and four hives on larger lots. Hives must be set back 10 feet…
Fresno's official fence handout for Section 15-2006 lists allowed materials (wrought iron, tubular steel, wood, masonry, stucco, decorative concrete, hedges, and chain link in limited…
A standard residential fence not over 7 feet does not require a building permit in Fresno, but it must still meet the zoning standards of Section 15-2006; fences in the public…
Under California Health and Safety Code §115920 (the Swimming Pool Safety Act) and FMC Chapter 15, all swimming pools in Fresno must have at least two drowning prevention safety…
Residential fences in Fresno are capped at 6 feet in side and rear yards, 3 feet in front yards, and must stay within the corner sight triangle at 3 feet. Material rules in FMC…
California Civil Code §841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act) presumes shared boundary fences are a mutual benefit and requires neighbors to split reasonable costs of construction and…
Retaining walls in Fresno require a building permit when they are 4 feet or taller measured from bottom of footing to top, or at any height when they support a surcharge load (slope…
Fresno limits fences in the required front yard to 3 feet (4 feet if 80% open wrought iron/tubular steel), allows up to 6 feet in interior side, rear, and street-side yards, and caps…
Fresno follows California Fire Code limits on residential propane cylinder storage. Single-family homes may store small portable cylinders for grills, but bulk tanks above twenty…
Within the City of Fresno, fruit stands, retail sales lots and Christmas tree lots are not allowed to burn for any reason and may not use wood stoves, portable fireplaces, chimineas…
Backyard recreational fires in Fresno are allowed only when used for cooking food, as a campfire, or for a religious ceremony, burning clean dry wood or charcoal, and only when…
Open burning is prohibited within the City of Fresno except with an operational permit issued under the Fresno Municipal Code and San Joaquin Valley Air District rules, or for limited…
Fresno Fire Department policy authorizes officers to halt any otherwise-allowed outdoor fire when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make it hazardous, providing a local…
California Health and Safety Code §13113.7 and FMC Chapter 15 require smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every story of dwellings. Fresno Fire enforces…
Backyard fire pits, fire rings, burn bowls and chimineas are legal in Fresno for cooking or recreation, but the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Rule 4901…
Unlike most California cities, Fresno permits state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks bearing the State Fire Marshal seal. They may be used year-round between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00…
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735(E) requires that the residential appearance of the unit be maintained and that no exterior indication of a home occupation is…
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735(E) generally bars customer visits except for personal instruction (musical, art, tutoring), which is capped at eight clients/students…
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735(E)(14) permits Cottage Food Preparation as a home occupation, subject to California Government Code 51035 and Health and Safety Code…
Fresno Citywide Development Code Section 15-2735 allows home occupations in all residential units citywide regardless of zoning, but limits the business to 25 percent of the dwelling's…
California Government Code §§1596.78 et seq. preempts local zoning for small (up to 8 children) and large (up to 14 children) family daycare homes, treating them as residential use…
Fresno requires a Home Occupation Permit (HOP) under FMC §15-2739 for most home-based businesses, plus a Business Tax Certificate from Finance under FMC Chapter 7. HOP applications are…
FMC §10-605 is the primary weed control ordinance in Fresno, requiring vegetation under 6 inches on all parcels. Noxious and invasive weeds listed by the Fresno County Agricultural…
The Fresno Water Division enforces year-round watering rules: no watering between 9 AM and 6 PM, no runoff onto streets or sidewalks, and watering on assigned odd/even days based on…
Street trees in the Fresno public right-of-way are jointly the responsibility of the property owner and the city Urban Forestry division. Property owners must maintain 14-foot…
Fresno encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings under its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) adopted from state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. New…
Rainwater harvesting from rooftops is legal in Fresno under California Water Code §10574 and AB 1750 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012). No permit is required for simple rain barrels or…
Fresno Municipal Code §10-605 requires property owners to maintain vegetation under 6 inches in height on developed parcels. Unmaintained grass, weeds, and rank growth over 6 inches…
Artificial turf is legal in Fresno front and back yards. California Civil Code §4735 prohibits HOAs from banning artificial turf, and AB 349 (2015) further protects the right to…
FMC §13-305 requires a Tree Removal Permit for protected/heritage trees. Permits evaluated by licensed arborists. Licensed contractor required. Fruit trees exempt. Violators must pay…
SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.
Fresno Municipal Code section 10-105(a) treats radios, instruments, phonographs, and amplification devices as regulated noise sources, and section 10-108 requires anyone using a…
Fresno cannot regulate in-flight aircraft noise (federally preempted), so the controlling standards are California's. Public Utilities Code section 21669 directs the state to adopt…
Industrial noise in Fresno is capped by FMC §10-105 receiving-zone dBA limits: industrial zones allow up to 75 dBA at the property line, while any industrial operation that sends sound…
Fresno does not impose a citywide ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, but operation is restricted under the general noise nuisance provisions of FMC Chapter 10. Landscape maintenance is…
Outdoor music events in Fresno require either compliance with the FMC §10-105 residential dBA caps (60 day / 50 night) or a noise variance permit under FMC §10-110. Large outdoor…
Fresno uses a receiving-zone dBA schedule in FMC §10-105. Residential properties are capped at 60 dBA from 7 AM to 10 PM and 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM. Commercial zones are capped at…
Fresno Municipal Code section 9-2701(a) makes it unlawful to keep any dog which by habitual and continual barking, howling, or whining disturbs the peace and comfort of any…
Fresno Municipal Code section 10-109(a) exempts permitted construction, remodeling, site preparation, and grading from the Noise Ordinance only when the work takes place between 7:00…
Fresno's Noise Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 1) sets zone- and time-based exterior sound limits. In residential districts the limit is 50 dBA from 10 PM to 7 AM, 55 dBA…
Fresno follows California CALGreen Tier 1 EV charging requirements for new residential and non-residential construction and allows single-family EV charger installations under a…
Fresno has no blanket citywide overnight on-street parking ban; instead vehicles are limited by the 72-hour storage rule (FMC 14-1006), so a passenger vehicle may legally remain…
Fresno Municipal Code section 14-1006 prohibits storing any vehicle on a city street for longer than 72 consecutive hours, regardless of whether a sign is posted. The Parking Division…
Broken-down, inoperable or non-functional vehicles may not remain on city streets or private property in Fresno unless fully enclosed in a garage; a car cover does not satisfy the…
Recreational vehicles, boats and trailers may only be stored on private residential property if fully enclosed in a legal structure or kept in a side or rear yard behind a solid wall…
Fresno requires all residential parking to be on an approved paved surface. FMC §15-2007 prohibits parking on lawns or unpaved areas in the front setback. Vehicles may park across…
Fresno's Parking Division specifically lists commercial vehicles parked in residential areas as a regulated neighborhood-preservation issue, alongside vehicles blocking sidewalks and…
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…
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…
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…
Fresno enforces a progressive enforcement system for short-term rentals that accumulate repeated nuisance, noise, or occupancy violations. Multiple substantiated complaints within a…
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…
Fresno generally treats stays of 30 days or more as long-term tenancies rather than short-term rentals. Hosts shifting to extended home-share arrangements escape STR permit…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Hot tubs and spas require a building permit from Fresno Development Services. Must have an approved safety cover (ASTM F1346) OR comply with 60-inch barrier rules per CA §115922…
Building a swimming pool or spa in Fresno requires a construction permit, and whenever that permit is issued for a new or remodeled pool the pool must be equipped with at least two of…
Above-ground pools holding 18 inches or more of water require a building permit in Fresno. Must comply with CA Swimming Pool Safety Act (§115920-115929) 60-inch barrier requirement…
Every residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub in Fresno that holds more than 18 inches of water must be surrounded by an enclosure at least 60 inches high, with self-closing…
Beyond the H&S §115920 two-feature enclosure rule, Fresno pool operators must comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB) for anti-entrapment drain covers, NEC…
Landlords and homeowners in Fresno must maintain dwellings free of significant infestations. The Fresno County Department of Public Health and city code enforcement investigate…
Scaffolding on Fresno construction sites must comply with Cal/OSHA Title 8 scaffold standards, including permits for taller installations, daily inspection by qualified persons, fall…
Fresno construction follows California Green Building Standards Code, known as CALGreen, requiring water efficiency, construction waste reduction, and indoor air quality measures…
California Building Code Title 24 requires automatic fire sprinklers in new one and two-family dwellings statewide. Fresno enforces these requirements through Fresno Fire Department…
Elevators in Fresno multi-family and commercial buildings fall under California Division of Occupational Safety and Health jurisdiction. Annual inspections, certified maintenance…
Fresno enforces California Building Code Chapter 10 rules on egress door hardware. Locks on residential exit doors must allow single-action unlatching from inside without keys, while…
Pre-1978 Fresno homes fall under federal lead paint disclosure rules and California Department of Public Health renovation standards. Contractors disturbing painted surfaces must…
Fresno's Development Code under FMC Chapter 15, Part III establishes setback requirements that vary by zoning district. In single-family residential zones (RS), typical setbacks…
Fresno's Development Code establishes maximum building heights by zoning district under FMC Chapter 15, Part III. Single-family residential zones (RS) generally allow a maximum height…
Fresno's Development Code under FMC Chapter 15 establishes maximum lot coverage percentages by zoning district. In single-family residential zones (RS), maximum lot coverage is…
Fresno pawnbrokers operate under California Financial Code Section 21000 et seq., requiring DOJ licensing, FPD registration, 30-day holds on pledged items, and capped finance charges…
Fresno regulates massage establishments under FMC Chapter 5, requiring CAMTC-certified practitioners, business permits, lighting standards, and inspections to align with California's…
Fresno requires every tobacco and vape retailer to obtain an annual tobacco retail license, in addition to a state CDTFA license, with proximity restrictions near schools and…
Fresno tow operators must register with FPD, hold California Highway Patrol carrier permits, post maximum non-consensual tow rates, and follow CVC Section 22658 for trespass tows from…
Fresno secondhand dealers must register with the state DOJ, hold reportable goods 30 days, and submit electronic transaction reports to FPD under California Business & Professions Code…
Licensed cannabis retailers may deliver to Fresno addresses under California Business and Professions Code §26090 and 16 CCR §5416, with required vehicle GPS tracking, $5,000 cash…
Fresno requires commercial cannabis retailers to maintain at least 800-foot buffers from schools, daycare centers, youth centers, and other cannabis retailers under FMC §9-3309 and…
Fresno allows commercial cannabis retail in designated commercial zones under FMC Chapter 9 with district council approval, capping dispensaries at two per council district and…
California Proposition 64 and Health & Safety Code §11362.2 allow Fresno residents 21+ to cultivate up to six cannabis plants indoors per private residence, but outdoor home…
Under California Proposition 64 and Health & Safety Code Section 11362.2, adults 21 and older may cultivate up to six cannabis plants per household for personal use. Fresno follows…
Fresno regulates commercial cannabis businesses under FMC Chapter 9, Article 33 (Cannabis Retail Business and Cannabis Business). The City allows licensed cannabis dispensaries in…
Fresno enforces a juvenile curfew under FMC Chapter 10, Article 8. Minors under 18 are prohibited from being in any public place during curfew hours: 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday through…
Fresno parks are closed to the public from 10:30 PM to 6:00 AM under FMC Chapter 13 (Parks and Recreation) unless otherwise posted or authorized by special event permit. All persons…
The City of Fresno has no cryptocurrency-mining ordinance. A commercial mining facility is treated like any data center - sited by right in the IL or IH industrial districts and bound…
The City of Fresno's own Noise Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 1) sets sound levels by district: 60 dBA daytime, 55 evening, and 50 dBA overnight in residential areas…
The City of Fresno has no data-center ordinance and no "data center" use category. Data centers site in the IL Light Industrial and IH Heavy Industrial districts, permitted by right as…
Recreational drone use in Fresno is primarily governed by FAA regulations, including the requirement to register drones weighing 0.55 to 55 pounds and pass the TRUST (The Recreational…
Commercial drone operations in Fresno require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operators must comply with FAA regulations including weight limits (under 55 lbs), altitude…
Fresno follows California's statewide minimum wage of $16.50 per hour as of 2026, indexed annually for inflation under SB 3, with no separate local wage ordinance unlike Los Angeles…
California's Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act under Labor Code 245-249 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees statewide. SB 616 (2023) raised the minimum to 40 hours…
Fresno's Climate Action Plan, adopted alongside the General Plan 2035, sets binding greenhouse gas reduction targets aligned with California Senate Bill 32 and requires consistency…
Fresno's sustainable procurement policies push city departments to favor recycled-content, energy-efficient, and locally produced goods, supporting Climate Action Plan goals and…
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District enforces a strict five-minute idling limit on heavy-duty trucks and buses inside Fresno to reduce particulate matter exposure in…
Fresno endures triple-digit summer temperatures, so the General Plan 2035 and California building standards push cool roofs, shade trees, and reflective paving to reduce neighborhood…
Fresno falls in California Climate Zone 13, so Title 24 mandates reflective cool-roof products on most new nonresidential roofs and many residential roof replacements to cut peak…
Fresno regulates grading and drainage through FMC Chapter 15 (Development Code) and the Building Code. Grading permits are required for earthwork exceeding specified thresholds. All…
Fresno requires erosion and sediment control measures for all grading and construction activities under FMC Chapter 15 (Development Code) and the California Construction General…
Fresno is an inland city located in California's Central Valley, approximately 150 miles from the Pacific coast. The California Coastal Act and coastal development permit requirements…
Fresno enforces stormwater management under FMC Chapter 6, Article 7 (Stormwater Quality Management) and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board's MS4 permit. All new…
Fresno has significant flood risk areas along the San Joaquin River, Kings River, and various urban drainage channels. FMC Chapter 11, Article 2 establishes floodplain management…
Fresno regulates mobile food vendors under FMC Chapter 9, Article 7 (Peddlers, Solicitors and Itinerant Vendors). Food trucks must obtain a City business tax certificate and comply…
Fresno designates approved locations for food truck and mobile vendor operations, particularly near downtown, entertainment districts, and special event areas. Food trucks on public…
Fresno requires a free garage sale permit obtained from the City Clerk before holding a sale. Properties are limited to three permitted sales per calendar year, each no longer than…
Fresno limits the frequency of garage and yard sales to prevent residential properties from becoming de facto retail operations. Sales are generally limited to no more than two per…
Garage and yard sales in Fresno are subject to time-of-day restrictions to prevent disturbances to neighbors. Sales may generally begin no earlier than 7:00 AM and must conclude by…
Fresno does not specifically regulate residential inflatable holiday displays. There is no size cap, lighting curfew, or fan-noise limit specific to inflatables. General provisions…
Fresno does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential holiday light displays. Display dates, brightness, and decorative content are not regulated by the City. General…
Fresno does not regulate decorative lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round yard decorations on private property. Property maintenance standards in FMC Chapter 10 require yards to be…
Fresno operates and contracts bridge-housing facilities including Poverello House and city-supported navigation centers. These low-barrier shelters connect unhoused residents to…
Fresno restricts sitting, lying, or sleeping on public sidewalks and right-of-way in ways that obstruct pedestrian traffic. Enforcement follows Ninth Circuit Martin v. Boise…
Fresno conducts encampment cleanups in coordination with outreach, providing advance notice and storing personal property under Ninth Circuit Lavan v. Los Angeles standards. Posted…
Fresno operates as a Welcoming City within California's statewide sanctuary framework under SB 54 (the California Values Act), limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal…
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Labor Code 2812. The…
Fresno enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted in FMC Chapter 10, Article 5 (Fire Prevention). Under CFC §308.1.4 (the California amended version of IFC §308.1.4), charcoal…
Fresno does not have a specific ordinance regulating backyard smokers or wood-fired ovens by time of day. Use is governed by the general nuisance provisions of FMC Chapter 10, Article…
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Fresno require building, electrical, plumbing, and gas permits under FMC Chapter 11 (Building Regulations), which adopts the California Building Code…
Fresno's Development Code under FMC Chapter 15 includes outdoor lighting standards that address light pollution and glare. While Fresno does not have a standalone dark-sky ordinance…
Fresno addresses light trespass through the Development Code and general nuisance provisions. Exterior lighting must be designed and aimed so that light does not spill onto adjacent…
Fresno permits garage and yard sales on residential property without a permit but limits frequency and duration. Sales are generally limited to no more than two per year, each lasting…
Fresno regulates trash container storage under FMC Chapter 10, Article 6 and the City's solid waste franchise agreement. Trash, recycling, and green waste bins must be stored in a…
Fresno aggressively enforces property blight and nuisance abatement under FMC Chapter 10 (Health, Safety and Sanitation). The City's Code Enforcement Division actively addresses…
Fresno, located in California's Central Valley, does not experience significant snowfall and has no snow removal or sidewalk clearing ordinance. The city's climate features hot, dry…
Fresno requires owners of vacant lots to maintain their properties free of weeds, debris, and hazardous conditions under FMC Chapter 10. Vacant lots must keep vegetation below 12…
Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 9 prohibits urinating or defecating in public view, on streets, sidewalks, parks, or private property without consent, treating violations as a…
Fresno prohibits aggressive panhandling under FMC Chapter 9, banning intimidation, blocking pedestrians, soliciting at ATMs and bus stops, and approaching vehicles in traffic, while…
Fresno's loud-party ordinance under FMC Chapter 9 lets FPD issue first-warning notices and charge response fees for repeat unruly gatherings, holding hosts and property owners liable…
Fresno bans smoking in parks, transit stops, outdoor dining, within 20 feet of building entrances, and at city sports facilities under FMC Chapter 10, covering tobacco, cannabis, and…
Fresno prohibits open containers of alcohol on public streets, sidewalks, parks, and parking lots under FMC Chapter 9 and California Business & Professions Code Section 25620, with…
California Health and Safety Code §118286 prohibits placing home-generated sharps in trash or recycling bins. Fresno residents must use approved sharps containers and drop them at…
California Civil Code §1954.603 requires Fresno landlords to give written bed bug disclosures to tenants, prohibits renting infested units, and obligates pest control. Local…
California Senate Bill 602 requires all Fresno restaurant food handlers to obtain an ANSI-accredited food handler card within 30 days of hire and keep it current every three years.
Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 8 (Health and Safety) and Chapter 10-606 declare rodent harborage on private property a public nuisance, allowing the City to order abatement at the…
Fresno County Department of Public Health inspects restaurants under the California Retail Food Code and posts color-coded placards (green pass, yellow conditional, red closed) at each…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Fresno Housing Authority administers federal Section 8 housing-choice vouchers in Fresno. Landlords accepting vouchers enter a Housing Assistance Payments contract and submit to…
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…
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…
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…
California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and…
California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat…
California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written…
California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is…
To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more…
California requires written notice before raising a month-to-month tenant's rent. Under Civ. Code § 827, increases of 10% or less in 12 months need 30 days' notice; increases above 10%…
California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A…
Fresno regulates signs under FMC Chapter 15, Article 26 (Sign Regulations). Political signs on private property are broadly protected under the First Amendment and California Election…
Fresno permits temporary holiday displays and decorations on residential property without a permit. Holiday displays including lights, inflatables, and yard decorations are considered…
Fresno's sign code under FMC Chapter 15, Article 26 regulates temporary signs including garage sale signs. Temporary signs advertising garage or yard sales are permitted on the…
California AB 1276 (Public Resources Code §42271) requires Fresno restaurants and food delivery platforms to provide single-use utensils, condiments, and napkins only upon customer…
Fresno does not ban expanded polystyrene foam foodware, unlike many California coastal cities. State law SB 54 phases down all single-use plastic foodware by 2032, indirectly limiting…
California Assembly Bill 1884 (Public Resources Code §42270) prohibits Fresno full-service restaurants from automatically providing single-use plastic straws; customers must…
California SB 270 bans thin single-use plastic carryout bags at all Fresno grocers, pharmacies, and convenience stores, requiring sale of compliant reusable or recycled-paper bags for…
Fresno requires building permits for solar panel installations per FMC Chapter 11 and the California Building Code. Under AB 2188 (California Solar Permitting Act), the City must offer…
California's Solar Rights Act (Civil Code §714) strongly protects homeowners' right to install solar energy systems. HOAs in Fresno cannot prohibit solar panel installations and may…
Fresno honors no-solicitation signs posted by residents. Under FMC Chapter 9 and California Penal Code Section 602.8, solicitors must respect posted 'No Soliciting' signs and…
Fresno requires a city-issued solicitor permit for door-to-door commercial sales under Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 6. Applicants submit to a Fresno PD background check and receive a…
Fresno classifies businesses into categories under FMC Chapter 7 with annual business taxes based on gross receipts, employee counts, or flat fees, due annually with new-business…
Fresno does not impose a dedicated parking tax, unlike Los Angeles or San Francisco, but commercial parking operators must hold business tax certificates and remit applicable sales tax…
California SB 793, upheld by 2022 voter referendum Proposition 31, bans the sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide, including in Fresno, with limited exceptions for premium…
California Senate Bill 7 (Business and Professions Code §22963) bans tobacco and vape sales to anyone under 21 in Fresno, requiring photo ID checks for purchasers who appear under 30.
California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970…
Fresno collects your gray trash, blue recycling, and green organics carts weekly on the same address-based day. Call 559-621-6888 or 311 for your day. Four year-end holidays change the…
Fresno requires specific cart placement for collection under the solid waste franchise agreement. Carts must be placed at the curb with lids closed, handles facing the house, at least…
Fresno provides bulk item pickup service for large items that do not fit in standard carts. Residents may schedule a limited number of free bulky item pickups per year through the…
Fresno mandates recycling participation under state laws including AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. All residents must use the blue recycling cart for paper, cardboard, plastics (#1-7)…
Fresno requires permits for removal of street trees and trees in the public right-of-way under FMC Chapter 13, Article 4 (Urban Forestry). The City Arborist oversees tree management on…
Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 16-08 places parkway strip trees under city control. Residents must obtain permits and choose from the approved species list before planting in the area…
Fresno targets new tree planting in low-canopy, predominantly Latino south Fresno neighborhoods, addressing historic disparities documented in the city's urban forest management plan…
Fresno requires tree replacement when significant trees are removed during development or public infrastructure projects. The Development Code's landscaping provisions under FMC…
Fresno protects heritage and significant trees through its Urban Forestry program and Development Code provisions. Heritage trees are generally defined as trees of notable size…
Fresno Department of Public Utilities enforces year-round outdoor watering schedules with strict day-of-week and time-of-day limits. Violators face escalating fines under Fresno…
Fresno DPU offers rebates to residents who replace thirsty cool-season lawn with low-water landscaping, a cornerstone Climate Action Plan strategy in California's drought-prone Central…
Fresno operates a regional water reclamation facility producing tertiary-treated recycled water for irrigation, industrial cooling, and groundwater recharge under California Title 22…
Fresno DPU encourages prompt reporting of broken sprinklers, water-main breaks, and customer-side leaks. The city provides a 24-hour dispatch line and online portal for non-emergency…
Fresno's General Plan 2035 prioritizes transit-oriented development along Fresno Area Express corridors and around the future California High-Speed Rail downtown station, encouraging…
Fresno layers specific plans and community plans atop the General Plan 2035 to set tailored zoning, design standards, and infrastructure financing for downtown, Tower District…
Fresno applies California's State Density Bonus Law, granting up to 50 percent extra units, height waivers, and parking concessions for projects that include affordable, senior, or…
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant…
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However…
California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition…
California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or…
California HOAs may levy regular and special assessments, charge late fees and interest, record liens, and ultimately foreclose on delinquent owners under the Davis-Stirling Act. State…
California tightly regulates HOA governance. The Common Interest Development Open Meeting Act (Civil Code 4900-4955) governs board meetings and member access, sections 5100-5145…
California HOAs enforce recorded CC&Rs and architectural rules, but Civil Code section 4765 requires architectural decisions to be fair, reasonable, and in good faith, and sections…
California HOAs may fine members for rule violations, but only under a published schedule of fines and after strict due-process steps. Civil Code section 5855 requires written notice…
California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag…
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use…
The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The…