Fresno, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

The City of Fresno's published Short Term Rental requirements (Finance Department) do not state a numerical per-bedroom or maximum-overnight-guest cap; instead, the City conditions an STR on first obtaining an approved zone clearance, which confirms that the proposed transient use is consistent with the parcel's zoning under the Fresno Citywide Development Code (Chapter 15). The City makes the STR permit holder 'responsible for preventing any nuisance activities, including noise, parties, etc.,' which functions as the operational guardrail in lieu of a fixed headcount. Use is keyed to the residential dwelling-unit classification in the Development Code's use-regulation tables (for example, FMC Section 15-902 governs use regulations in single-family residential districts). Practical occupancy ceilings therefore derive from the California Building Code and California Fire Code occupant-load provisions for the dwelling, any conditions placed on the zone clearance, and the City's nuisance and noise rules. California does not impose a statewide STR occupancy cap, so where the City has not adopted a specific number, the building/fire code occupant load and the nuisance standard control. Operators should confirm any property-specific limits through the Planning and Development Department at the zone-clearance stage before advertising.