What should Fontana hosts know about short-term rental is defined as?

Short-term rental is defined as any stay of 30 days or less.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Fontana?

The ban applies to the entire city within residential zones, which covers almost all housing stock.

What should Fontana hosts know about fines for operating an illegal?

Fines for operating an illegal STR can reach $1,000 for the first offense.

Fontana

Prohibited

California · City of FontanaUpdated Mar 1, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (occupancies of 30 consecutive days or less) are prohibited in all residential zoning districts within the City of Fontana.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Residential STRs prohibited
Banned in all/most residential zones
Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
Long minimum stay: 31 nights
Tenants cannot host
No STR-specific permit required
No primary residence requirement
No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

Fontana has a strict ban on short-term rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo in all residential neighborhoods. The city council passed an ordinance in 2021 specifically to prohibit these activities to prevent 'party houses' and preserve the quiet nature of residential areas.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitYes

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rental is defined as any stay of 30 days or less.
2The ban applies to the entire city within residential zones, which covers almost all housing stock.
3Fines for operating an illegal STR can reach $1,000 for the first offense.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility2 rules

Fontana does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Fontana prohibits STRs in the following property types: Single Family Home, Condo, Townhome, ADU, JADU.

Requirements6 rules

Fontana: The ban applies to the entire city within residential zones, which covers almost all housing stock.
Fontana does not require STR registration.
Fontana STR warning: Fines for operating an illegal STR can reach $1,000 for the first offense.

Application process4 rules

Fontana STR permit - Step 1: Verify Property Zoning. Check the City of Fontana Interactive Zoning Map to confirm if your property is in a residential zone (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-PC). Required documents: Property address. Time: 1 day.

Taxes1 rule

Fontana charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.1%.

Limits & restrictions1 rule

Fontana requires a minimum stay of 31 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Fontana requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties2 rules

Fontana: Fines for operating an illegal STR can reach $1,000 for the first offense.
Fontana: Short-term rental is defined as any stay of 30 days or less.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Fontana

0/2

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Property Zoning

Check the City of Fontana Interactive Zoning Map to confirm if your property is in a residential zone (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-PC).

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Property address

Official resource

Step 2

Acknowledge Prohibition

As per Ordinance No. 1867, short-term rentals are currently prohibited in all residential zones. You cannot proceed with an application for a stay under 31 days.

ImmediateFree

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Fontana

Prohibited

California · City of FontanaUpdated Mar 1, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (occupancies of 30 consecutive days or less) are prohibited in all residential zoning districts within the City of Fontana.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Residential STRs prohibited
Banned in all/most residential zones
Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
Long minimum stay: 31 nights
Tenants cannot host
No STR-specific permit required
No primary residence requirement
No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitYes

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rental is defined as any stay of 30 days or less.
2The ban applies to the entire city within residential zones, which covers almost all housing stock.
3Fines for operating an illegal STR can reach $1,000 for the first offense.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility2 rules

Fontana does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Fontana prohibits STRs in the following property types: Single Family Home, Condo, Townhome, ADU, JADU.

Requirements6 rules

Fontana: The ban applies to the entire city within residential zones, which covers almost all housing stock.
Fontana does not require STR registration.
Fontana STR warning: Fines for operating an illegal STR can reach $1,000 for the first offense.

Application process4 rules

Fontana STR permit - Step 1: Verify Property Zoning. Check the City of Fontana Interactive Zoning Map to confirm if your property is in a residential zone (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-PC). Required documents: Property address. Time: 1 day.

Taxes1 rule

Fontana charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.1%.

Limits & restrictions1 rule

Fontana requires a minimum stay of 31 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Fontana requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties2 rules

Fontana: Fines for operating an illegal STR can reach $1,000 for the first offense.
Fontana: Short-term rental is defined as any stay of 30 days or less.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Fontana

0/2

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Property Zoning

Check the City of Fontana Interactive Zoning Map to confirm if your property is in a residential zone (R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-PC).

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Property address

Official resource

Step 2

Acknowledge Prohibition

As per Ordinance No. 1867, short-term rentals are currently prohibited in all residential zones. You cannot proceed with an application for a stay under 31 days.

ImmediateFree

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Property Zoning

Acknowledge Prohibition

Frequently asked questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Fontana?

2What is the Fontana short-term rental ordinance?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Fontana?

4Why did Fontana ban Airbnb and Vrbo?

5What is considered a short-term rental in Fontana?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Property Zoning

Acknowledge Prohibition

Frequently asked questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Fontana?

2What is the Fontana short-term rental ordinance?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Fontana?

4Why did Fontana ban Airbnb and Vrbo?

5What is considered a short-term rental in Fontana?

Disclaimer