Clovis, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Summary: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Clovis, CA?

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Clovis, California, subject to comprehensive regulations. STRs are permitted as home occupations under Chapter 9.58 of the Clovis Municipal Code, which provides a detailed regulatory framework for their operation. The city has established clear operational standards, permitting requirements, and tax obligations that investors must understand and comply with.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Clovis?

Clovis hosts earn a median $32,616/year with $154 ADR and 76% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $43,803+ per year.

See the full Clovis market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Clovis, CA

Step-by-Step Process

Property Eligibility Assessment
- Verify the property is in a residential zoning district
- Confirm you have legal title or leasehold interest
- Ensure the dwelling meets habitability standards
- For rental properties, obtain written authorization from property owner/management
Home Occupation Permit Application
- Submit application to the Planning Division with detailed, fully-dimensioned floor plans
- Include supporting materials as specified in department handouts
- Pay applicable permit fees per City Fee Schedule
- No public notice required for standard applications
Business Registration
- Obtain Clovis business registration and business tax certificate
- Complete within 10 days of home occupation permit approval
- Maintain current registration at all times
TOT Registration and Setup
- Register with the city's TOT processing center
- Set up systems to collect and remit 12% transient occupancy tax
- Designate responsible party for tax collection and remittance

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses

Home Occupation Permit for Short-Term Rental

Application to Planning Division
Detailed floor plans and site information
Property owner authorization (if applicable)
Processing time: Director decision within 10 days of completed application
Appeal rights available to Planning Commission within 15 days

Business Registration

Clovis business tax certificate
Must be obtained immediately after permit approval
Annual renewal required with business tax certificate

TOT Registration

Transient Occupancy Tax registration
Responsible party designation for tax collection
Monthly/quarterly filing obligations

Supporting Documentation Requirements

Written property owner authorization (for rental properties)
Detailed floor plans with dimensions
Contact information for 24/7 local contact person
Evidence of compliance with fire, building, and safety codes
Insurance documentation (recommended)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Operational Standards

Definitions

Short-term rental: rental of dwelling for less than 30 consecutive days
Local contact person: designated individual available 24/7 to respond to complaints
Operator: owner or designated agent responsible for compliance
Owner: legal or equitable title holder (includes lessees)

Core Operational Requirements

24/7 Availability
- Owner or local contact person must be available by phone 24/7
- Must respond to complaints within 45 minutes
- Must be on-premises within 45 minutes when requested by enforcement
Notification to Neighbors
- Within 10 days of permit issuance, mail/deliver contact information to:
  - All property owners contiguous to the STR property
  - Property owners directly across the street, alley, or other right-of-way
- Provide updated information within 30 days of any changes
- Submit signed certification under penalty of perjury of notification completion

Occupancy Limits

| Bedrooms | Maximum Occupants | |----------|------------------| | Studio (0) | 2 | | 1 | 4 | | 2 | 7 | | 3 | 9 | | 4 | 11 | | 5 | 13 | | 6 | 15 | | 7 | 17 | | 8+ | 19 |

Additional Occupancy Rules

Maximum 19 occupants for any dwelling with more than 8 bedrooms
Permit may specify lower occupancy limits
Must advertise maximum occupancy in all marketing materials

Use Restrictions

Permitted Uses

Overnight lodging accommodations only
Maximum occupancy per established limits

Prohibited Uses

Weddings, receptions, parties
Commercial functions or conferences
Events exceeding occupancy limits
Use of garages, tents, camper trailers, RVs, or exterior structures
Any use beyond lodging purposes

Parking Requirements

Maximum vehicles limited to available off-street parking spaces
Minimum requirement: 2 off-street parking spaces
Vehicles must park only in approved driveway or garage
No parking on landscaped areas, sidewalks, or public rights-of-way
No blocking of driveways or street access

Noise and Quiet Hours

Sound Restrictions

No amplified sound audible outside between 10:00 PM and 9:00 AM
No outdoor musical instruments, loudspeakers, or sound devices audible outside during quiet hours

Quiet Time (10:00 PM - 9:00 AM)

All outdoor activities must cease
Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, courts, and play equipment use prohibited
All activities must remain inside STR units to prevent neighborhood disturbance

Property Maintenance

Trash and Refuse

Trash must not be visible except in proper collection containers
Containers may be placed curbside only on collection day
Containers must be removed by noon the following day
Property must be free of debris on-site and in adjacent street areas
Owner must provide sufficient trash collection containers and service

Advertising Requirements

Permit Number Display

All advertising must include City-issued permit number
No advertising permitted without approved home occupation permit
Advertising includes any written publication or website listing

Information Display

Must advertise maximum occupancy limits
Must include contact information for local contact person or owner

Signage Restrictions

No on-site exterior signs advertising STR availability
One wall-mounted sign (maximum 2 square feet) allowed for home occupation
Sign limited to contact information and home occupation name only

Multiple Unit Restrictions

Maximum one STR unit per address in multiple-family complexes
Applies to buildings with two or more residential units
Only one home occupation permitted per dwelling

Tax Obligations

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Rate: 12% of gross rent (includes room rate and associated charges)
Collected by operator at same time as rent collection
Remitted to city per established filing schedule
Separate from but in addition to business tax certificate requirements

Contact Information for Local Authority

Transient Occupancy Tax Administration

TOT Processing Center

Phone: (559) 342-8751
Email: clovisTOT@HdLgov.com
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM
Website: clovis.hdlgov.com/
Address: City of Clovis, Lodging Tax Processing Center, 8839 N. Cedar Ave #212, Fresno, CA, 93720

Business Licensing

Business License Portal

Website: businesslicense.cityofclovis.com/
Phone: (559) 324-2060 (City Clerk's Office)

Planning Division (Home Occupation Permits)

Planning & Development Department

Phone: (559) 324-2340
Address: Planning Division, City of Clovis

City Clerk

Phone: (559) 324-2060
For municipal code inquiries and permit appeals

Important Regulatory Updates and Considerations

Current Policy Environment

Based on recent city reports and council discussions, Clovis is actively reviewing STR regulations due to:

Higher-than-normal demand for police and fire services
Neighborhood safety and quality concerns
Revenue considerations compared to traditional hotel operations

Recent Enforcement Activity

City estimates 137 STR units as of 2024
Approximately 150 annual police calls from STRs (double hotel rate per unit)
City has partnered with technology companies to identify non-compliant properties
Recent compliance efforts brought 99 properties into regulatory compliance

Revenue Impact

Average hotel room generates ~$4,290 annually in TOT
STR units generate ~$753 annually per unit in TOT
Total STR revenue to city: approximately $200,000 annually
City projecting increased revenues with enhanced regulation

Source Links

Clovis Municipal Code Chapter 9.58: www.codepublishing.com/CA/Clovis/html/Clovis09/Clovis0958.html
City of Clovis TOT Information: www.clovisca.gov/services/finance/transient_occupancy_tax_tot.php
2024 GV Wire Report on STR Regulations: gvwire.com/2024/11/11/clovis-wants-to-rein-in-short-term-rentals-hearing-tuesday/
Measure B TOT Rate Increase Documentation: www.fresnocountyca.gov/files/sharedassets/county/v/1/county-clerk-registrar-of-voters/1_election-pages/old-elections/2022_11/70190-nov-2022-measure-b-eng.pdf

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of STR regulations in Clovis, CA as of the information provided. Investors should verify current requirements with the City of Clovis before proceeding with any STR investment or operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Clovis

Clovis, California, is a city of roughly 120,000 residents in Fresno County, set in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. Often nicknamed the "Gateway to the Sierras," the city has a foothill-town character with tree-lined streets, a walkable historic core, and a strong agricultural heritage tied to the surrounding Central Valley. It sits just east of Fresno, about 170 miles southeast of San Francisco and roughly 220 miles north of Los Angeles, making it a convenient staging point for travelers exploring California's interior.

Old Town Clovis anchors the city's identity, a compact historic district along Pollasky Avenue filled with locally owned shops, antique stores, restaurants, and the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building. On Friday evenings during much of the year, the street closes to traffic for a popular farmers market and festival that draws visitors from across the region. The district is a few minutes' drive from anywhere in town, with the Clovis Old Town area serving as the community's cultural and social hub.

About 30 minutes northeast of Clovis, Millerton Lake State Recreation Area offers boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking along the reservoir backed by the foothills, and it is one of the closest outdoor escapes for residents and short-term guests looking to trade suburban streets for water and trail.

Further afield, the city functions as a useful base for reaching Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, both roughly 60 to 80 miles to the east. Sequoia, home to the General Sherman Tree and the Giant Forest, and Kings Canyon, with its deep glaciated gorge, together form one of the most remarkable concentrations of giant sequoias and high-country scenery in the country. Visitors can reach the park entrances in about an hour and a half, while the deeper groves require closer to two hours. More information is available through the Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park websites.

Yosemite National Park lies to the north, with the south gate near Fish Camp about an hour and a half away and Yosemite Valley reachable in roughly two and a half to three hours, while the Sierra National Forest begins just beyond the city limits and offers camping, lakes, and rivers within an hour's drive. For families, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, just minutes west in neighboring Fresno, is a frequent side trip.

For short-term rental investors, Clovis offers a compelling combination: a distinctive, well-loved historic downtown that draws year-round visitors, proximity to three of California's flagship national parks, and a Central Valley location within easy driving distance of millions of potential guests in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and the broader Western U.S. Its blend of small-city charm and big-park access makes it a natural fit for travelers who want a comfortable base from which to explore the Sierra Nevada.