Fresno Landlord-Tenant Rules
Fresno adds local rules on top of California landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Rent stabilization | Fresno has no local rent control or local just-cause ordinance. State law (AB 1482 rent cap and just cause) governs. No local rent or just-cause ordinance was found on the city's rental housing or EPP pages. The city's tenant resources point to state law. Source: Official source |
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| Required notices/registration | Under the Rental Housing Improvement Act, every residential rental property must be registered, free, in the Residential Rental Registry (rhr.fresno.gov) within 30 days of initial notice. This includes properties exempt from inspection, and registration must be updated when ownership or contact information changes. Late-registration penalties are $100 per property (up to 30 days late), $200 (31-60 days), $500 (61-120 days), and $1,000 (120+ days), plus 10% interest. Properties get a baseline inspection on a random-sampling basis at $100 per inspected unit. Exempt from the program: owner-occupied units, mobile home parks, vacant units, hotels and motels, and licensed care, educational and religious facilities. Units under 10 years old or regularly inspected by another agency can apply for an inspection exemption. Sampling rates differ by source. The city web page says 2-4 units 50% and 5-15 units 25%. The March 1, 2025 regulations (https://www.fresno.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/RHIA-Regulations-Effective-3_1_2025361573.2-10w380.pdf) say 2-6 units 50% and 7-20 units 25%. |
| Tenant right to counsel | The Eviction Protection Program (EPP), run through the City Attorney's Office, screens tenants renting in the City of Fresno who may be facing an unlawful eviction. If the city finds a potentially unlawful eviction, the tenant may get a city-appointed attorney or legal services at no charge, regardless of income or immigration status. Ways to apply: online questionnaire, mail, phone (559) 621-8400, or in person at City Hall, 2600 Fresno St., Room 3076. This is a screened program, not a universal right to counsel. Filling out the questionnaire does not make the city the tenant's lawyer. The authorizing ordinance or code section was not found on the page. Current funding was not verified. |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Code Enforcement (part of the City Attorney's Office) enforces health and safety standards in rental housing. Its Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) brings civil and criminal cases against the worst repeat violators. Rental Housing technical assistance: (559) 621-RENT (7368). |
Eviction cases in Fresno are heard in: Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street (unlawful detainer)
Eviction court, fees and help
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Partial. The city's Eviction Protection Program may appoint free counsel to tenants it screens as facing a potentially unlawful eviction. It is not a universal right. Official source
Local agencies
- City Attorney's Office - Code Enforcement, Rental Housing Division — Rental registry, baseline inspections, and substandard housing enforcement (ASET).
- Eviction Protection Program (City Attorney's Office) — Screens tenants and may appoint free counsel for potentially unlawful evictions. (559) 621-8400.
- Central California Legal Services — Legal services for low-income tenants. 2115 Kern St., Suite 1; (559) 570-1254 (per city resource list).
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Fresno add on top of California law?
Rent stabilization: Fresno has no local rent control or local just-cause ordinance. State law (AB 1482 rent cap and just cause) governs.; Required notices/registration: Under the Rental Housing Improvement Act, every residential rental property must be registered, free, in the Residential Rental Registry (rhr.fresno.gov) within 30 days of initial notice. This includes properties exempt from inspection, and registration must be updated when ownership or contact information changes. Late-registration penalties are $100 per property (up to 30 days late), $200 (31-60 days), $500 (61-120 days), and $1,000 (120+ days), plus 10% interest. Properties get a baseline inspection on a random-sampling basis at $100 per inspected unit. Exempt from the program: owner-occupied units, mobile home parks, vacant units, hotels and motels, and licensed care, educational and religious facilities. Units under 10 years old or regularly inspected by another agency can apply for an inspection exemption.; Tenant right to counsel: The Eviction Protection Program (EPP), run through the City Attorney's Office, screens tenants renting in the City of Fresno who may be facing an unlawful eviction. If the city finds a potentially unlawful eviction, the tenant may get a city-appointed attorney or legal services at no charge, regardless of income or immigration status. Ways to apply: online questionnaire, mail, phone (559) 621-8400, or in person at City Hall, 2600 Fresno St., Room 3076. This is a screened program, not a universal right to counsel. Filling out the questionnaire does not make the city the tenant's lawyer.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Code Enforcement (part of the City Attorney's Office) enforces health and safety standards in rental housing. Its Anti-Slum Enforcement Team (ASET) brings civil and criminal cases against the worst repeat violators. Rental Housing technical assistance: (559) 621-RENT (7368).
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.