Fullerton, California Short-Term Rental Market
Fullerton, CA STRs averaged $313/night at 67.8% occupancy in May 2026, with revenue growth of 12.8% year-over-year.
Quick Answer: Fullerton, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 78%. average monthly revenue is $8,143. average daily rate is $408. the top operator is Tower 17 Properties & Mgmt, LLC with 244 listings. market score is 69/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Anaheim regional market, which includes Fullerton. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Fullerton.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Fullerton is a university and residential city in north Orange County, California, approximately 10 miles from Disneyland in Anaheim. The STR market tracked 13,597 active listings (by listing-type count) in the latest snapshot, though the city has imposed a moratorium on new STR permits since July 2025. The market posted a $313 average daily rate and 67.8% occupancy in May 2026, generating average monthly revenue of $5,803 per listing. Year-over-year performance was strong: occupancy up 8.79 percentage points, ADR up 2.76%, and revenue up 12.77%.
The listing mix is predominantly entire-place rentals at 11,242 of 13,597 tracked (82.7%), with 2,334 private rooms and 21 shared rooms. By bedroom count across 13,582 tracked listings: 1-bedroom leads at 4,822, followed by 2-bedroom (3,315), 3-bedroom (2,686), 4-bedroom (1,785), and 5-bedroom-plus (974). Channel distribution shows strong Airbnb presence: 8,117 Airbnb-only listings and 716 VRBO-only, with 4,764 cross-listed on both platforms.
The market’s composite score of 68.9 out of 100 is led by an exceptional revenue growth score of 97.4, one of the highest in the data set. However, investability (50.7) and rental demand (60.1) scores are below average, reflecting the restrictive regulatory environment and the city’s proximity to but distance from core tourist draws.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58% | $212 | $3,390 |
| Feb | 65% | $225 | $3,672 |
| Mar | 69% | $258 | $4,836 |
| Apr | 62% | $248 | $4,252 |
| May | 66% | $259 | $4,505 |
| Jun | 75% | $309 | $5,783 |
| Jul | 78% | $303 | $6,033 |
| Aug | 68% | $284 | $5,190 |
| Sep | 63% | $247 | $4,121 |
| Oct | 65% | $243 | $4,307 |
| Nov | 60% | $235 | $3,750 |
| Dec | 62% | $242 | $4,043 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Fullerton
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tower 17 Properties & Mgmt, LLC | 244 | 11,217 | ★ 4.70 |
| 2 | Dream Resorts | 195 | 9,053 | ★ 4.68 |
| 3 | Newport Beach Vacation Properties | 137 | 5,374 | ★ 4.61 |
| 4 | Vacasa | 126 | 8,872 | ★ 4.49 |
| 5 | OC Rentals | 121 | 1,263 | ★ 3.85 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Fullerton?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 4,822 |
| 2 bed | 3,315 |
| 3 bed | 2,686 |
| 4 bed | 1,785 |
| 5 bed | 974 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $471 |
| Luxury | $937 |
| Professionally Managed | $788 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $6,154 |
| Entire Place | $9,349 |
| House | $9,039 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 59.7% |
| vrbo | 5.3% |
| both | 35% |
Investment Analysis
Fullerton presents a split investment picture: strong revenue metrics combined with a regulatory environment that is effectively closed to new entrants. The July 2025 moratorium on new STR permits is in place until at least 2027, and whole-house rentals require owner-occupancy under current rules. Existing permitted operators benefit from market scarcity created by the 100-unit whole-house permit cap.
Revenue by listing type shows entire-place at $6,579/month and houses at $6,348/month versus apartments at $4,607/month. The luxury ADR tier reaches $724/night versus the all-listing average of $313, a $411 spread that signals substantial upside for high-end properties near the Disneyland corridor. Professionally managed listings average $567/night, an $254 premium over the market average, the largest professionally managed premium in this batch of five markets.
No housing snapshot data is available for this area, so entry-cost-based yield calculations cannot be made. Year-over-year revenue growth of 12.77% is the strongest of the five markets in this batch and is consistent with Fullerton’s 2025 annual average of $5,632/month versus prior years. The 12-month seasonal average revenue totals approximately $53,390 per listing per year, or $4,449/month averaged across all calendar months.
Prospective investors should treat this market as effectively closed to new whole-home STR operations until at least 2027. Any acquisition strategy requires verifying current permit availability directly with the City of Fullerton before purchase.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Fullerton guests book an average of 43 days in advance, with an average stay of 5.25 nights. The 43-day lead time is the longest of the five markets in this batch, suggesting a demand base that plans further ahead, consistent with Disneyland trip planning, CSUF university visits, and corporate travel booked through employer travel programs.
The 5.25-night average stay is also the longest in this batch, reflecting that many guests use Fullerton as a base for extended Southern California itineraries combining Disneyland, beaches, and the broader Los Angeles area. This extended stay length reduces per-booking turnover costs and supports higher monthly revenue per listing despite a per-night ADR that may be lower than a single-night hotel alternative.
For operators, the 43-day booking window offers a solid pricing runway: most bookings arrive 5 to 6 weeks out, leaving meaningful time for dynamic pricing adjustments. Last-minute availability (inside 14 days) should be priced aggressively to fill gaps rather than left at peak-window rates, given that 43-day-out inventory that has not sold is likely underpriced relative to true clearing demand.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Fullerton has a restrictive short-term rental framework and is effectively closed to new whole-home operators. A moratorium on approving new STR permits was enacted by the City Council on July 15, 2025 and runs until 2027 while staff reassess policy and enforcement. Existing permitted operators are not affected by the moratorium.
Key requirements for operating under existing permits: a Short-Term Rental Permit is required ($425 initial fee, approximately $85 annual renewal). Permits are non-transferable and become void when the property is sold. Whole-house permits are capped at 100 citywide. Owner-occupancy is required for new permits (whole-house rentals with an absent owner are prohibited under 2021 amendments). The city estimated approximately 180 unpermitted operators were active as of the moratorium date.
The tax burden is significant: a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) applies to all stays under 30 days. A 3% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment may also apply. Operating without a permit is a misdemeanor. Investors should contact the City of Fullerton directly to confirm current permit availability and the status of the 2027 moratorium review before acquiring property for STR purposes.
Market Comparison
The US short-term rental market typically posts median occupancy around 55% and a median ADR near $220. Fullerton’s May 2026 occupancy of 67.8% significantly exceeds the national median, and the $313 ADR is roughly 42% above the national median, reflecting the Orange County / Los Angeles metro market positioning.
The revenue growth score of 97.4 is exceptional and reflects 12.77% year-over-year revenue growth in the latest data period, far above the typical single-digit growth rate in mature markets. The investability score of 50.7 is a counterweight, largely driven by the regulatory cap and moratorium that restrict new supply from entering the market.
On the operator side, Tower 17 Properties and Management leads with 244 listings and a 4.70 average rating across 11,217 reviews. Dream Resorts manages 195 listings (4.68 rating, 9,053 reviews). Newport Beach Vacation Properties holds 137 listings (4.61 rating). Vacasa manages 126 listings (4.49 rating, 8,872 reviews). OC Rentals rounds out the top five at 121 listings but with a notably lower 3.85 average rating across 1,263 reviews. The top five collectively manage 823 listings, approximately 6% of the 13,597 tracked listings in the broader regional data set.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fullerton, California
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