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

Trinity County's primary registration requirement for short-term rentals runs through the Treasurer-Tax Collector under the County's Transient Occupancy Tax program. If you own or operate a property as a rental in the unincorporated area for guests staying 30 days or less, you must register and obtain a TOT certificate from the office. Per the County, an operator must register within 30 days after commencing business and renew the certificate annually each July. The obligation expressly covers internet-based rentals: while platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO may help advertise and collect rents, the County states it is the owner's responsibility to ensure the tax is collected and remitted. Because the county is entirely unincorporated, there is no separate city registration scheme. Land-use registration is handled through the zoning permit process described under permit requirements, rather than a distinct STR registry. Operators should keep the TOT certificate current, file returns on the County's schedule, and retain records of nightly rents and exempt stays in case of audit.