As of October 2026, HUD's fiscal 2026 fair market rents for the Fresno metro are about $1,350 a month for a studio or one-bedroom and about $1,660 to $1,690 for a two-bedroom. These are benchmarks that include utilities, not ADU rents. A new, private unit may rent above or below them.
What are HUD's fair market rents for Fresno?
HUD sets fair market rents each year for housing voucher programs. They estimate the 40th percentile of gross rent, which includes tenant-paid utilities, for recent movers.
| Unit | Monthly benchmark |
|---|---|
| Studio | About $1,350 |
| One bedroom | About $1,355 to $1,365 |
| Two bedroom | About $1,660 to $1,690 |
Published copies of the HUD table vary by a few dollars; check huduser.gov for the current figures.
Why might an ADU rent for more or less?
- New construction. A new unit with modern appliances and efficient cooling can compete with newer apartments.
- Privacy. A separate entrance and a small yard matter to many renters.
- Size. A 340 sq ft studio and a 1,015 sq ft three-bedroom serve very different markets.
- Utilities. Whether rent includes power and water changes the comparison with HUD's gross figures.
- Location. Distance to campuses, hospitals and job centers shapes demand.
Can I rent an ADU short-term?
Not every ADU. As of October 2026, state law requires rentals of junior ADUs, and of ADUs built under Government Code §66323, to run longer than 30 days, and it bars JADUs from short-term rental use.
Other local short-term rental rules may also apply. We check which category your unit falls into before design.
Do I have to live on the property to rent the ADU?
No, for an ADU. As of October 2026, Government Code §66315 bars owner-occupancy requirements for ADUs. A junior ADU that shares a bathroom with the house still requires the owner to live on site.
When does rent depend most on the unit itself?
It depends on who you are building for. A studio near a campus serves a different renter than a two-bedroom with a yard. Before choosing a plan, look at current listings for similar units nearby, and decide whether rent will include utilities. We can size the ADU to the renter you have in mind, and price it in a written, itemized quote.
Related
Sources, as of October 2026: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, Fresno metro area, as republished by HUD-data mirror sites (verify at huduser.gov); California Government Code §§66315, 66323 and 66333; HCD ADU Handbook (March 2026). These are benchmarks, not rent advice.
Updated October 2026