Fresno, California Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated August 23, 2023

Fresno Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

City Code of Ordinances

The city of Fresno regulates short-term rentals. They define short-term rental as a dwelling unit, rented in whole or in part, to any persons(s) for transient use of 30 consecutive days or less. A dwelling unit within a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast shall not be considered a short-term rental.  See the Chapter 12 SEC. 7-1249. - Short-Term Rentals of the City Ordinance or contact Fresno City Planning and Development Department

Business License Requirements

Without a permit, no owner or owners of a short-term rental may rent, propose to rent, or advertise for rent the short-term rental to another person. Click here for the application of Short Term Rental Permit. If applicable, apply for all State and County licenses. 

Building and Housing Standards

Fresno has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. View the City Building Code Ordinance and consult the Building & Safety Department for more information. 

Tourist and Local Taxes

Fresno requires a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax ("TOT"). Exemptions apply if the property is only rented for less than thirty successive calendar days per year. If renting for more than thirty-one successive calendar days per year, Transient Occupancy Tax is needed.  Short-term rentals might be subjected to state and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by state and county law. 

Other Rules

It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Fresno website for more information. 
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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.0
  • Competition

    6.3
  • Real Estate Cost

    7.0
  • STR Regulations

    4.0
  • Seasonality

    9.7
  • Rental Rates

    2.9

Fresno, California Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
542,107
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
June to August
County
San Joaquin Valley
Airports
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS)
Review our Fresno California short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Fresno?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Fresno rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Fresno rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Fresno.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Fresno Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Fresno guests.

Interested in other California cities?

Check out the California Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Fresno a great place to invest?

  • Fresno offers a great opportunity to experience the natural beauty of California, with easy access to nearby national parks such as Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. These parks are home to some of the most iconic and spectacular landscapes in the United States, including giant sequoias, granite cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. Visitors can take part in activities such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and even skiing in the winter.
  • Fresno is also known for its rich agricultural heritage, and visitors can take a tour of one of the many local farms and orchards to learn about the area's farming history and sample the delicious produce. The city is surrounded by vast farmlands, producing a variety of crops, such as almonds, figs, grapes, and more.
  • For those interested in history, Fresno offers a variety of historical sites to explore, such as the Meux Home Museum, which is a beautifully restored Victorian home that provides a glimpse into the lives of Fresno's early settlers. The Kearney Mansion Museum, which was built in 1891 and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, is also a must-visit.
  • Fresno is home to a thriving arts and cultural scene, with several museums and galleries, such as the Fresno Art Museum, which showcases contemporary art from the Central Valley and around the world, and the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra, which presents a wide range of classical and popular music performances.
  • The city also has a vibrant culinary scene, with a wide variety of restaurants that offer everything from traditional Mexican dishes to farm-to-table cuisine. The city is renowned for its central valley cuisine, which is heavily influenced by Mexican, Portuguese, and Basque cuisine. Visitors can also sample local products such as fresh fruits, nuts, and wines.

Fresno Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Fresno?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Fresno has increased 2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $239, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$404,694

2% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$239

-3% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,834

4% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Fresno, California

Word Cloud for Fresno, California Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Fresno short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Fresno has a description approximately 1,102 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 1,426 listings in Fresno, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Fresno, Perfect, Comfortable, Spacious, Backyard, Quiet, Place, Pool, Garage, and Beautiful.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Fresno?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Fresno involve going to the Zoo, Water Parks, Casinos, the Health Spa, and Adventure Activities. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Zoo

Water Parks

Casinos

Health Spa

Adventure Activities

Antiquing

Museums

Winery Tours

Hiking

Cycling

Rural

City Centre

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Fresno, including Save Mart Center, California State University, Fresno, Woodward Park, Riverpark Shopping Center, and The Big Fresno Fair. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Regional Landmark

Woodward Park

Included on 87% of listings

Regional Landmark

Riverpark Shopping Center

Included on 87% of listings

Local Landmark

Fashion Fair Mall

Included on 87% of listings

Regional Landmark

Save Mart Center

Included on 86% of listings

Regional Landmark

California State University, Fresno

Included on 86% of listings

Local Landmark

Buchanan High School

Included on 86% of listings

Regional Landmark

Chukchansi Park

Included on 83% of listings

Local Landmark

Selland Arena

Included on 73% of listings

Local Landmark

Sierra Vista Mall

Included on 69% of listings

Regional Landmark

The Big Fresno Fair

Included on 68% of listings

Local Landmark

Clovis Community Medical Center

Included on 53% of listings

Local Landmark

Island Waterpark

Included on 46% of listings

What’s the weather like in Fresno, California?

The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 78°, while the average low is about 53°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 14 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Fresno are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

41° Low 59° High

Precipitation
7.6"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
46%

Spring

March through May

52° Low 77° High

Precipitation
3.6"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
35%

Summer

June through August

66° Low 96° High

Precipitation
0.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.4 days
Cloudiness
12%

Fall

September through November

54° Low 79° High

Precipitation
2.3"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.2 days
Cloudiness
24%