Advocacy Group Sues Fresno County Over New Sex Offender Housing Ordinance

The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws, Inc. filed a lawsuit in Fresno County Superior Court on January 26, 2026, seeking to block a county ordinance that limits registered sex offender occupancy to six beds in single-family homes in unincorporated Fresno County. The complaint names Fresno County and Sheriff John Zanoni as defendants and represents three unnamed registered sex offenders who, the suit says, would become homeless if the ordinance is enforced.

ACSOL frames its challenge as a constitutional and statutory fight over local power. Janice Bellucci, ACSOL attorney and executive director, said, "This county ordinance is preempted by state law. And it’s very clear that if there’s a state law regarding a certain topic, then local governments cannot, in fact, pass a different kind of law." The complaint asks the court to declare the ordinance unconstitutional and to enjoin enforcement.

The Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance on January 6, 2026, with Supervisors Garry Bredefeld and Brian Pacheco listed as sponsors. Supervisors and county staffers cited calls for service and a handful of incidents at local halfway houses as justification for the six-bed cap, and county leaders acknowledged the measure was tailored to address two homes in Old Fig Garden managed by Centers for Living, a faith-based transitional provider. Centers for Living said it had nearly 40 residents in early January; staffers estimated about three dozen would be forced into homelessness under the new rule.

The ordinance applies to single-family homes in unincorporated Fresno County and does not extend to apartment complexes. Reported penalty descriptions vary across county reporting: one account frames fines as starting at $1,000 and up to $50,000, while another describes property owners facing fines totaling more than $50,000 for successive violations. Multiple sources reference a potential criminal penalty of up to six months in jail and note the possibility of litigation tied to enforcement actions. One county fragment warns property owners could "go bankrupt, face criminal prosecution, and jail."

Sheriff John Zanoni is named in the suit and has publicly endorsed the ordinance while saying his office has not yet enforced it. "Our office has taken no enforcement action against any sex offenders under this ordinance. As your sheriff of Fresno County, I will not back down from enforcing the laws that are on the books, holding criminals accountable and protecting children and families in our communities throughout Fresno County," Zanoni said.

Supervisor Garry Bredefeld defended the policy at the board meeting, saying, "I’m concerned not about, frankly, the rights of the pedophile, but the rights of law-abiding citizens to live in safe communities and not worry about their children." On social media Bredefeld wrote, "It’s too bad this advocacy group isn’t more concerned with the rights of the innocent victims of these sex offenders rather the perpetrators of these crimes. We will always ensure the safety and security of our residents, their children and their families, regardless of threats, lawsuits or anything else." Fresno County spokesperson Sonja Dosti said the county "has not yet been served, but firmly believes the ordinance protects residents and is legally defensible."

The litigation is set for a Fresno County Superior Court hearing on July 1, 2026. The suit raises practical stakes for neighborhoods such as Old Fig Garden, providers such as Centers for Living, and homeowners who shelter registrants. ACSOL frames its mission as "to protect the Constitution by restoring the civil rights of more than 100,000 registrants."

For Fresno residents, the immediate implications are concrete: potential displacement of dozens of transitional residents, uncertainty over enforcement, and unresolved questions about the ordinance’s effective date and exact penalty structure. The court hearing and the county’s decision whether to contest service will determine whether the ordinance is enforced, amended, or stayed. Local officials, providers, and neighbors will want to review the ordinance text and upcoming court filings for precise definitions, penalty schedules, and enforcement mechanisms as the case moves forward.