🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Fresno County, CA
Fresno County Moves Toward Lodging Tax to Strengthen General Fund
Fresno County Considers 12% Lodging Tax to Fund Services
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The Board of Supervisors has taken the first step toward creating a transient occupancy tax (TOT) in unincorporated areas.
At its April 7 meeting, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that would establish the tax. The measure now heads to a second reading on April 21, followed by public outreach and polling before a draft ballot initiative is finalized in June. If voters approve the measure in November, the tax would take effect in early 2027.
Serena Bettis
âť“Why Fresno County Is Acting Now
Supervisor Nathan Magsig, who represents foothill communities, said the county has long considered a TOT but never implemented one. “We get a lot of people visiting Fresno County, and these folks passing through our communities use our roads and everything else,” he said. “We are unique as a county in not having our own TOT.”
County staff noted that Fresno is one of only three counties in California without a TOT, and the only one without such a tax despite having hotels and short‑term rentals in its jurisdiction. Cities within the county, including Fresno and Clovis, already levy their own TOTs.
Magsig said the county explored the idea 15 to 20 years ago, before platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo transformed the lodging market. Today, foothill destinations such as Shaver Lake, Auberry, Hume Lake, and Dunlap attract thousands of visitors, putting pressure on volunteer fire departments and municipal services. Supervisors argue that visitors should contribute to the cost of those services.
đź“Š How the Tax Would Work
The TOT would apply to short‑term stays of 30 days or less. Lodging operators would be responsible for adding the tax to rental rates and remitting it to the county tax collector. Longer‑term rentals and county residents would be exempt.
At the proposed 12% rate, Budget Director Paige Benavides estimates the tax could generate $4.5 million annually. That money would flow into the county’s general fund, where supervisors could allocate it to any priority during the annual budget process.
Magsig emphasized that the revenue could make a tangible difference. “These revenues could be used to hire positions broadly here at the county,” he said. “It wouldn’t be an increase of taxes to residents here, it would just be those who came to travel here and visit our area.” He suggested the money could fund 40 district attorneys and public defenders or 50 sheriff’s deputies.
đź‘·Potential Impact on Services
County leaders say the new revenue stream could help address staffing shortages in law enforcement, legal services, and other departments. Fresno County’s general fund has been described as stagnant, limiting the county’s ability to expand services.
By tapping into visitor spending, supervisors hope to strengthen public safety and justice services without raising taxes on residents. The measure is framed as a way to ensure tourists contribute to the infrastructure and services they use.
🔍 Next Steps
The ordinance will return for a second reading on April 21. After that, county staff plan to conduct public outreach and polling to gauge voter sentiment. A draft ballot measure is expected in June.
Ultimately, the decision will rest with voters. A simple majority in November would be enough to approve the tax. If passed, collections would begin in 2027.
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