Trinidad

In Compliance
Out of Compliance
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area

Overview

Population
449
Density
935
Avg. Household Income
$
82250
Experiencing Rent Burden
80
Providing adequate housing options is a key function of local governments. To help residents ensure their local government is meeting this need, we’ve compiled important information about this jurisdiction’s housing efforts below.
Housing Element is In Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Housing Element is Out of Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Good Progress
This city is currently on track to meet their RHNA housing targets.
Making Slow Progress
This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets.
Housing Targets
Every 8 years California assesses housing need and assigns each city with a target they must hit. If 
Trinidad
 repeats its efforts from the previous cycle 
it will only meet 60% of the identified need.
Current RHNA Target
2018
 
-
 
2027
On Target
Behind
Hit Target
Missed
0
 / 
18
 units
Very Low Income
Low Income
Median Income
Above Median Income
State Statutes
Organizers fighting for fair housing can use many state laws to ensure that jurisdictions meet their housing targets.
Builder’s Remedy
When a city’s Housing Element is out of compliance, the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass the zoning code and city general plan for qualifying affordable housing projects. If a Builders Remedy project application was submitted prior to 1/1/2025, there are virtually no limits on the size and density of a project proposed. Subsequent to 1/1/2025, in exchange for more certainty in the entitlement process, AB 1893 limits the density for Builders Remedy projects.
Does not apply
Does not apply
Does not apply
SB 423
When cities lack a compliant housing element or are behind on RHNA, this statute streamlines approval of projects that meet a threshold of affordable units.
10% Affordable
10% Affordable
Conditions in 
Humboldt County
HE Compliance
How does
 
Trinidad
 
compare to its neighboring cities?
This city is currently doing a worse job than its neighbors at meeting housing needs.
Progress
-36
-36
Income
13
13
Density
-4
-4
Trinidad
's Plan
Add Policy
Key parts of
Trinidad
’s housing element are currently being worked on. Get involved to hold them accountable for meeting their deadlines.
Impactful Housing Element Policies:
No prioritized policies
There are no prioritized housing element policies for this jurisdiction which are currently being tracked. If you'd like to submit a policy to be tracked, please fill out the policy submission form.
Other Tracked Housing Element Policies:
Trinidad Rezoning Policy
  • The City has not yet updated its PD zoning designation. The City is essentially entirely in the Coastal Zone, so any amendment must be certified by the Coastal Commission. Trinidad has significant development limitations. It is tiny, having only about 225 housing units and a population of 311. Trinidad has no sewer plant (everyone is on septic), which necessarily limits density. The City is mostly built-out and substantially surrounded by unstable bluffs, State Park property, and other open space, ESHA, and culturally sensitive areas. Trinidad's contribution to housing in the state will always be limited, but we are doing what we can with very limited staff and resources. And being in the Coastal Zone and a popular visitor destination, the City also struggles to keep up with other mandates like coastal access and providing visitor services. There is only so much a small, rural city can do.
  • The City has submitted a local coastal program (LCP) amendment application to the Coastal Commission to update various definitions and allowable uses (e.g. transitional housing) in residential zones to comply with State housing laws. And a draft ADU ordinance is under review by HCD. The City has also been working on other LCP updates to streamline the coastal development process (CDPs), including adding provisions for administrative CDPs. Just removing the use permit requirement from residential development in the PD zone would not streamline housing projects without these additional amendments. And with the density limitations from being on septic, realistically, I'm not sure affordable multi-family housing will ever be economically feasible in Trinidad. J/ADUs are probably our most promising form of affordable housing. We are working on a comprehensive update of the entire LCP (land use plan/general plan and implementation plan/land use ordinances) and hope to have it done by the end of 2025 (that's when our LCP update grant from the Coastal Commission runs out).
Proposal:
Link to Proposal
Resources:
Public Draft
Due
, 
Join the Fun!
Join
Our volunteers, watchdogs, push cities to enact good housing policy and keep tabs on the city’s policy progress. Sign up to help push
Trinidad
 reach its housing targets.
Humboldt County
's Volunteers
3
Current Watchdogs
  
Level I
3/10 Volunteers
Upcoming Opportunities
Add Event
These upcoming events and tasks are great opportunities to make a difference in your community.
Event Name
Date
Type
Stop by Drinks & Agendas
Each Friday at 12:00PST our team gets together via Zoom to monitor local agendas so we can direct watchdogs to key meetings where decisions are being made about housing.
Become a Volunteer
Watchdog Reports
Add Report
Our watchdogs are on the ground observing and taking part in the fight for fair housing. Read their reports below.
Trinidad
's Reports
Anonymous
Jack Farrell
  
12
/
24
  • As per city staff: The City has not yet updated its PD zoning designation. The City is essentially entirely in the Coastal Zone, so any amendment must be certified by the Coastal Commission. Trinidad has significant development limitations. It is tiny, having only about 225 housing units and a population of 311. Trinidad has no sewer plant (everyone is on septic), which necessarily limits density. The City is mostly built-out and substantially surrounded by unstable bluffs, State Park property, and other open space, ESHA, and culturally sensitive areas. Trinidad's contribution to housing in the state will always be limited, but we are doing what we can with very limited staff and resources. And being in the Coastal Zone and a popular visitor destination, the City also struggles to keep up with other mandates like coastal access and providing visitor services. There is only so much a small, rural city can do.
  • The City has submitted a local coastal program (LCP) amendment application to the Coastal Commission to update various definitions and allowable uses (e.g. transitional housing) in residential zones to comply with State housing laws. And a draft ADU ordinance is under review by HCD. The City has also been working on other LCP updates to streamline the coastal development process (CDPs), including adding provisions for administrative CDPs. Just removing the use permit requirement from residential development in the PD zone would not streamline housing projects without these additional amendments. And with the density limitations from being on septic, realistically, I'm not sure affordable multi-family housing will ever be economically feasible in Trinidad. J/ADUs are probably our most promising form of affordable housing. We are working on a comprehensive update of the entire LCP (land use plan/general plan and implementation plan/land use ordinances) and hope to have it done by the end of 2025 (that's when our LCP update grant from the Coastal Commission runs out).
Read More
   
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 Loss
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 Pro Housing
   
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 Win
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 Pro Housing
   
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Deferred
/
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
  
03
/
24

- Which city(s) are you monitoring, and which chapter(s) if any are you coordinating with?

    - Humboldt County 

    - Arcada, Eureka, Humboldt County

- Do you know if your city committed to a rezoning?

    - Yes

    - What is the deadline for this rezoning?

        - Deadline in general plan was supposed to be this summer, they missed it 

        - New deadline not set 

- What policies did your city commit to enacting? (If no, ask if any city-owned sites are on the site inventory.)

    -  Which ones are you most excited about?

        - Arcada: Rezone of industrial areas to residential in downtown 

        - Eureka: Surplus lands giveaway 

        - Link

- If rezonings or policies have been introduced, do you know what the timelines and local processes are for passing? What progress has been made?

    - Surplus lands: released all parking lots as of now for development, put out request for proposals 

    - Rezone industrial areas: not sure, under one year

- When are the upcoming public hearings or housing element updates?

    - Tonight there is a planning commission meeting in Arcada

    - Will be one more for the rezone 

        - Will send the information to Lucy afterwards 

Read More
   
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 Loss
/
 Pro Housing
   
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 Win
/
 Pro Housing
   
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Deferred
/
 Pro Housing
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