A new tax? Fresno County leaders approve ballot measure for hotel, rentals levy
Fresno County lawmakers will ask residents to pass a tax this November on hotels, short-term rentals and other temporary lodging that leaders say could add $4.55 million to the county’s challenged coffers.
Cities throughout the county already have a transient-occupancy tax, commonly called a TOT, but the county’s unincorporated areas do not. At 12%, the proposal would line up with the highest TOT in the San Joaquin Valley in Mariposa County, as well as rates charged by the cities of Clovis and Fresno.
The board of supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve the special election ballot measure, which will need a 50% plus one vote for approval. The special election is Nov. 3 and coincides with the general election.
Leaders said the county is trying to make up for a shortfall that could be as much as $300 million over the next three years under the Trump Administration’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” by making cuts, asking the state for help, and generating new revenue. The TOT would be new dollars to help fill that hole though only a small percentage.
Getting it on the ballot is estimated to cost almost a half-million dollars, according to county records.
The tax applies to stays of 30 days or less so is not considered a burden on residents of the county. Paige Benavides, the county’s budget director, said Fresno is one of just three counties in the state that does not have a TOT.
The tax, if approved by voters, would only apply to rentals in the rural unincorporated areas and would not be stacked on top of the transient-occupancy taxes at rentals in cities that already have the toll.
Representatives of Visit Fresno County, a visitors bureau, have publicly supported for the tax.
Supervisor Nathan Magsig said most of those rentals — 60% to 70% — were in his district for properties in the foothills and near Millerton Lake or other recreational destinations.
“I know in the mountain areas of Fresno County, we are seeing increased tourism, increased activities for residents and also calls for service,” he said.
