Trinity County, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Trinity County is entirely unincorporated, so the County's zoning code (Title 17) governs all home-based businesses. Chapter 17.30B, "Provisions for Home Occupations and Cottage Industry," exists (per Section 17.30B.010) to allow limited commercial or light-manufacturing activity in conjunction with an existing residential use when conducted so it does not create nuisances or adversely affect surrounding land uses, partly to diversify the economy beyond timber. The code creates two tiers. Minor home occupations are low-impact uses such as artists and sculptors, dressmaking and tailoring, home offices (financial, architectural, drafting, engineering services), and individual tutoring or instrument instruction; they must be conducted completely within the residence or a permitted accessory structure, allow no more than one off-site employee, and not generate more than two vehicles at the site at one time or an average of six per week. Major home occupations are higher-impact uses such as beauty/barber shops, commercial firewood operations, micro-breweries, small-engine or appliance repair, vehicle repair and painting, and welding/metal fabrication; these are allowed only in the UNC, RR, A, and AF districts on parcels larger than one acre, cannot exceed 55 dBA at the property line during allowable hours, cannot occupy more than 2.5% of gross lot area (up to 10,000 square feet), allow up to three off-site employees, and are limited to set operating hours. Confirm your parcel's zoning and tier with the Trinity County Planning Department before starting.