Trinity County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Unincorporated Trinity County has not adopted a primary-residence requirement for short-term vacation rentals. Unlike some California jurisdictions that limit whole-home rentals to a host's primary residence to protect housing stock, Trinity County's code treats vacation rentals as a recreational land use that can operate on second homes, cabins, and investment properties, which is consistent with the county's tourism economy around Trinity Lake, the Trinity Alps, and the Trinity River. The binding requirements are the zoning permit pathway (historically a Director's Use Permit for the recreational use under Title 17, and a Zoning Clearance for a change in use under the April 2026 draft) and registration for Transient Occupancy Tax. Neither the existing code nor the public-review draft conditions a vacation rental on the owner living there as a primary residence. Owners of non-owner-occupied rentals should still designate a responsive local contact and meet all permit, health, and tax obligations. Because rules can evolve, owners should confirm with the Planning Division that no new owner-occupancy condition has been adopted before listing a non-primary property.