Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Fullerton?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Fullerton, though standard state and county regulations may still apply. The city has implemented an urgency moratorium on new permits as of July 15, 2025, and is rewriting local laws. Check state requirements before operating.

What is the TOT tax rate in Fullerton?

**0.1%** is the transient occupancy tax (TOT) rate for short-term rentals in Fullerton. You need to collect this tax from guests and remit it to the city's finance department. Contact the department to understand how to properly collect and remit this tax, as regulations may change.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Fullerton?

**Short-term rentals are heavily restricted** in Fullerton. The city has capped whole-home rentals at 100 citywide. The city also implemented an urgency moratorium on new permits as of July 15, 2025, while they rewrite local laws. Check with the city for current regulations.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Fullerton?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Fullerton. Fullerton's regulations require the property owner to be the primary resident and the one operating the short-term rental. Renters cannot sublease their units for short-term stays. This is to ensure accountability and compliance with local laws.

Fullerton

Prohibited

California · City of FullertonUpdated Mar 26, 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

Fullerton currently enforces a strict cap on whole-home short-term rentals and has implemented an urgency moratorium on new permits as of July 15, 2025.

Restriction level

Severity 96

Classification

Prohibited

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Moderate permit fee: $425
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) are heavily restricted in Fullerton. The city has capped whole-home rentals at 100 citywide and is currently not accepting any new permit applications due to an active moratorium while they rewrite local laws. Existing permit holders must maintain primary residency and follow strict separation and neighbor guidelines.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$425

Max fine$5,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Moratorium active as of July 2025: No new permits are being issued until at least 2027.
2300-foot separation rule: You cannot start an STR if a neighbor within 300 feet already has a whole-house permit.
3Absolute Cap: The city only allows 100 whole-house permits total citywide.
4Non-transferable: Permits become void immediately upon the sale or transfer of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Fullerton prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (for new STR use), Non-residential structures.
Fullerton allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Multi-family (with restrictions).
Fullerton limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Fullerton requires that the property be the host's primary residence.

Requirements9 rules

Fullerton STR warning: 300-foot separation rule: You cannot start an STR if a neighbor within 300 feet already has a whole-house permit.
Fullerton STR warning: Absolute Cap: The city only allows 100 whole-house permits total citywide.
Fullerton STR warning: Moratorium active as of July 2025: No new permits are being issued until at least 2027.

Application process6 rules

Fullerton STR permit - Step 2: Verify Separation and Cap. Whole-house rentals must be 300 feet away from any existing whole-house STR and must fall within the city's 100-permit cap. Required documents: Property address, Vicinity map. Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs1 rule

Fullerton charges a registration fee of $425.

Taxes1 rule

Fullerton charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.1%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Fullerton: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Fullerton limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests.
Fullerton: Absolute Cap: The city only allows 100 whole-house permits total citywide.

Safety requirements1 rule

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

Penalties1 rule

Fullerton enforces the following penalties for STR violations: Maximum fine: 5000.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Fullerton

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Moratorium Status

Confirm if the City of Fullerton is currently accepting new applications; as of July 2025, a moratorium is in place prohibiting new permits.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Verify Separation and Cap

Whole-house rentals must be 300 feet away from any existing whole-house STR and must fall within the city's 100-permit cap.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property address
Vicinity map

Step 3

Submit Permit Application

File the Short-Term Rental Permit application with the Community Development Department including primary residency proof.

4-8 weeks$425

Documents needed

Proof of primary residency
Floor plan
Parking plan
24/7 Local contact info

Official resource

Step 4

Register for TOT

Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate and set up an account on the Fullerton TOT Payment Portal.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Business license
Permit number

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

3 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

Fullerton

Prohibited

California · City of FullertonUpdated Mar 26, 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

Fullerton currently enforces a strict cap on whole-home short-term rentals and has implemented an urgency moratorium on new permits as of July 15, 2025.

Restriction level

Severity 96

Classification

Prohibited

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Moderate permit fee: $425
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$425

Max fine$5,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Moratorium active as of July 2025: No new permits are being issued until at least 2027.
2300-foot separation rule: You cannot start an STR if a neighbor within 300 feet already has a whole-house permit.
3Absolute Cap: The city only allows 100 whole-house permits total citywide.
4Non-transferable: Permits become void immediately upon the sale or transfer of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Fullerton prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (for new STR use), Non-residential structures.
Fullerton allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Multi-family (with restrictions).
Fullerton limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Fullerton requires that the property be the host's primary residence.

Requirements9 rules

Fullerton STR warning: 300-foot separation rule: You cannot start an STR if a neighbor within 300 feet already has a whole-house permit.
Fullerton STR warning: Absolute Cap: The city only allows 100 whole-house permits total citywide.
Fullerton STR warning: Moratorium active as of July 2025: No new permits are being issued until at least 2027.

Application process6 rules

Fullerton STR permit - Step 2: Verify Separation and Cap. Whole-house rentals must be 300 feet away from any existing whole-house STR and must fall within the city's 100-permit cap. Required documents: Property address, Vicinity map. Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs1 rule

Fullerton charges a registration fee of $425.

Taxes1 rule

Fullerton charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.1%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Fullerton: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Fullerton limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests.
Fullerton: Absolute Cap: The city only allows 100 whole-house permits total citywide.

Safety requirements1 rule

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

Penalties1 rule

Fullerton enforces the following penalties for STR violations: Maximum fine: 5000.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Fullerton

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Moratorium Status

Confirm if the City of Fullerton is currently accepting new applications; as of July 2025, a moratorium is in place prohibiting new permits.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Verify Separation and Cap

Whole-house rentals must be 300 feet away from any existing whole-house STR and must fall within the city's 100-permit cap.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property address
Vicinity map

Step 3

Submit Permit Application

File the Short-Term Rental Permit application with the Community Development Department including primary residency proof.

4-8 weeks$425

Documents needed

Proof of primary residency
Floor plan
Parking plan
24/7 Local contact info

Official resource

Step 4

Register for TOT

Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate and set up an account on the Fullerton TOT Payment Portal.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Business license
Permit number

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

3 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Moratorium Status

Verify Separation and Cap

Submit Permit Application

Register for TOT

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Fullerton?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Fullerton?

3Are there restrictions on short-term rentals in Fullerton?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Moratorium Status

Verify Separation and Cap

Submit Permit Application

Register for TOT

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Fullerton?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Fullerton?

3Are there restrictions on short-term rentals in Fullerton?

Disclaimer