Trinity County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)

Unincorporated Trinity County does not have a dedicated short-term-rental noise ordinance with STR-specific quiet hours. Noise from vacation-rental guests is instead controlled by the County's generally applicable noise standards and nuisance provisions. The zoning code establishes maximum permitted exterior noise levels, measured in decibels (dB) at the property line of the noise source, with thresholds that vary by time of day and the receiving land use. Conduct that unreasonably disturbs neighbors can also be addressed as a public nuisance under the County code. Where a short-term vacation rental operates under a Director's Use Permit, the County can attach conditions, which may include quiet hours, limits on outdoor amplified sound, or caps on the number of vehicles and guests, tailored to the property and neighborhood. Because much of the rental activity clusters around Trinity Lake and the Trinity River in low-density rural settings, noise complaints often center on late-night gatherings and amplified music. Operators should set clear house rules, post quiet-hour expectations, and ensure a local contact can respond promptly to complaints, since unresolved disturbances can jeopardize a use permit.