Fresno and Tulare Counties consider 12% tax on short-term rentals

County staff in Fresno and Tulare Counties noted revenue losses attributed to President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”. To address this, voters are being asked about Measure A, which would impose a 12% transient occupancy tax on all short-term lodging in unincorporated areas. This tax is projected to generate roughly $4.5 million annually for the county’s general fund.

County officials say the proposed tax is needed to offset revenue losses estimated between $70 million and $300 million resulting from the President’s bill. The tax is charged to customers, not owners, and would not apply in incorporated cities where a transient occupancy tax already exists.