Youtube screen shot | The Fresno County Board of Supervisors during its June 30, 2026 meeting.
published on July 2, 2026 – 3:39 PM
Written by Ben Hensley
Fresno County voters will decide in November whether to approve a 12% transient occupancy tax on hotels, campgrounds, RV parks and short-term rentals in the county’s unincorporated areas after the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to place the measure on the ballot.
If approved by voters, Measure A is expected to generate about $4.5 million annually to support county services, including public safety, wildfire and disaster response, 911 operations, road maintenance, behavioral and public health programs, water infrastructure, parks and other public services, according to County Budget Director Paige Benavides.
Benavides said the transient occupancy tax, or TOT, is paid by visitors staying in lodging accommodations for 30 days or fewer. The tax does not apply to county residents in their primary or long-term residences.
She said the board previously adopted the ordinance establishing the 12% tax, outlining collection requirements, penalties for nonpayment and enforcement by the tax collector if voters approve the measure.
Tuesday’s action calls for a countywide special election, consolidated with the Nov. 3 statewide general election, to allow voters to decide whether the tax should take effect in the county’s unincorporated areas.
The resolution also authorizes board members to prepare ballot arguments, directs County Counsel to prepare an impartial analysis of the measure and instructs the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector to prepare a fiscal impact statement.
Supervisor Nathan Magsig said many of the county’s short-term rentals are located in District 5 and that increased tourism has placed additional demands on emergency services in mountain communities.
“I think it would be prudent that a portion of those funds be used to help with public safety services in the mountain area,” Magsig said. “I do believe that, where these dollars are being generated, a portion of that should stay in those areas where the dollars are being generated because tourism is having an impact on our services.”
County Administrative Officer Paul Nerland said the proposal came after multiple groups questioned why Fresno County had not adopted a TOT, specifically naming Visit Fresno County — the county’s tourism marketing division — as one of the groups to question the lack of the tax.
“We’re the only county in the state that has rentals that’s not doing it,” Nerland said.
Chairman Garry Bredefeld said the measure would ensure visitors help cover the cost of county services they use while visiting Fresno County.
“We’re providing services without being reimbursed by the people who are utilizing those services,” Bredefeld said. “It is very clear that our residents aren’t going to be paying this tax — this is about people who come and visit.”
The board approved the resolution on a 5-0 vote after receiving no public comment.