Trinity County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)

Unincorporated Trinity County does not cap the number of nights per year that a short-term vacation rental may be booked. Neither the existing zoning code nor the April 2026 Public Review Draft sets an annual rented-night ceiling for STRs, and there is no distinction between unlimited and capped rental categories. This reflects the county's tourism-driven economy, where vacation rentals around Trinity Lake, the Trinity Alps Wilderness, and the Trinity River operate throughout the recreation season and beyond. The operative requirements are the land-use approval (a Director's Use Permit for the recreational use historically, and a Zoning Clearance for a change of use under the draft code) and registration for and remittance of Transient Occupancy Tax on every qualifying stay of 30 days or less. Because no night cap exists, the practical limits are seasonal demand, septic and water capacity, and any property-specific conditions a use permit may impose. Owners should confirm with the Planning Division that no new cap has been adopted, but as of this writing the County code contains no annual night limit for vacation rentals.