Fresno, CA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

The City of Fresno Finance Department states that anyone renting their property, or a portion of it, to guests on a short-term basis 'must obtain a Short Term Rental (STR) Permit.' Per the City's published 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'; and 'The STR permit holder is responsible for preventing any nuisance activities, including noise, parties, etc.' The City's process requires applicants to 'first need to apply for a zone clearance' through the Planning and Development Department (fresno.gov/planning), and once an approved zone clearance is obtained, to complete and email the Short Term Rental Permit Application and the Short Term Rental Supplemental Application together with the zone clearance to the Business Tax Division. The Finance Department further clarifies that 'The STR permit holder is not required to pay business tax on the revenue earned' but 'is responsible for collecting and paying Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to the City of Fresno.' Zone clearances and the underlying use determination are governed by the Fresno Citywide Development Code (Chapter 15), including the use-regulation tables (e.g., FMC Section 15-902 for single-family residential districts). California Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7280 is the state authorization underlying the City's TOT collection tied to STR operation.