New short-term rental application

Online training videos are available for short-term rental applications.

We recommend using Google Chrome or Safari browsers to complete the online application. The application cannot be completed on a smartphone or tablet. 

Apply online

Step 1.Before you apply

Read the ordinance for this license under "Municipal Code" on the right side of the page to make sure this license is right for you.

  • Read the "Do I qualify for short-term rental license?" section of the STR page to make sure this license is right for you.
  • Read the short-term rental ordinance for this license under "Municipal Code" on the right side of the page to make sure this license is right for you.
  • If you are a renter, get permission from your landlord to use the property as a short-term rental.
  • If you have an HOA, notify it of your intent to use the property as a short-term rental.
  • Verify the hosting platform (i.e. AirBnB, VRBO, etc.) provides liability insurance coverage for at least $1 million - or get your own insurance. Regardless of where you get insurance, inform your insurance carrier of your intent to use the property as a short-term rental.
  • Make sure the property is equipped with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher.
  • Identify a local responsible party, also known as a general manager, who can address issues at the property if you are unavailable.
  • Put together a brochure for renters that contains information required by the short-term rental ordinance.
  • Register for a lodger's tax account.

Step 2.Watch the online training videos

Online training videos provide helpful and detailed overviews of the application process. They are on the Online Training Videos webpage. They show how to register for an account, how to complete licensed establishment and entity registration records, and how to apply for new business licenses or amendments.

Step 3.Register for a new account 

Register for an account, if you haven't already, in Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center. For help, navigate to the online training videos and watch the guide for how to register for a new account.

Step 4.Gather all required documents

Make sure you have everything from the "Required documents" section below.

Important notes to keep in mind about your documents:

  • All materials must be digital files saved as a .pdf or .jpg. Do not include any other file types. The Department of Excise and Licenses cannot accept other file types.
  • Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
    • For example:
      • Good filename: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
      • Bad filename: last name/ id.pdf
  • In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file. 
  • Legal documents must be signed, dated and executed. All pages of large legal documents (such as a lease) must be included in the application.
  • All materials must be legible. 
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Step 5.Apply in Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center

In Denver's Online Permitting and Licensing Center:

  • Under Business/Occupational, Short-Term and Residential Rental Licensing, click "Apply New."
  • Select the type of license you want to get and click "Continue Application."
    • Application package contains the following licenses: Child care center, residential rental property, retail tobacco store, massage business, marijuana licenses, retail food, retail food-commissary based, wholesale food and wholesale food-commissary based.
  • Read the introduction page and click "Continue."

This will begin the application process.

You can save and resume within 30 days any time during the process. After 30 days, you must start again.

Go to the Online Training Videos webpage to guide you.

After the online application is complete, you will be prompted to submit fees in the online portal. These can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover card.

Step 6.Pay required fees

Application fee:
$50

License fee:
$100

Step 7.City application review and next steps

Excise and Licenses strives to conduct an initial application review for any short-term rental application within seven business days. Based on the complexity of your application and current resource levels, approving your application may extend well beyond the initial review period. If an application is incomplete or inconsistent, it can significantly extend the time it will take to process an application completely.

If the application is found to be incomplete, an email will be sent allowing 14 days for corrections.

All applications will be administratively closed if they are not completed within 12 months.

Step 8.License issuance

Once approved, the applicant is emailed a copy of the business license. This allows the license holder to start operating.

The licensee should read "Once you have your license" below and follow the requirements.

The following documents are required upon application. All documents must be complete (no screenshots or partial documents) and must show the full name and address of the applicant. For example, a photo of the envelope will not be accepted as it is not a full document. Apple document formats such as .pages are not acceptable as they cannot be opened by Department staff.

All short-term rental applicants:

  • A copy of your valid (non-expired) Colorado driver's license or Colorado identification card.
  • At least two of the following:
    • Proof of valid motor vehicle registration.
    • Proof of voter registration.
    • Federal or state tax returns (most current tax year, need full tax return, may redact social security numbers and dollar amounts).
    • Financial documentation (some examples are bank statements, credit card statements).
    • A utility bill (must be recent and show both service and mailing address, submit the downloadable pdf from your account, no screenshots).

If you do not own the short-term rental property:

License holder must remain in compliance

All short-term rental license holders are expected to remain in compliance with the short-term rental code and relevant zoning provisions(PDF, 175KB), including: maintaining the residential dwelling unit as their primary residence, only renting under one reservation/booking at a time, and preventing the STR from negatively impacting the safety, health, and welfare of their neighbors.

License must be displayed

Excise and Licenses will email a professional license to all licensees. This license (or a clear picture of it) must always be displayed.

Requirement to keep contact information up to date

File an online amendment application to notify the Department of any contact information changes (place of business, onsite manager, etc.). These updates must be filed within 72 hours of the change.

Requirement to renew annually

Professional licenses expire annually. It is unlawful to operate with an expired license unless there is a complete renewal application pending. Renewal applications must be filed online before a license expires.

Changes in general manager/local responsible party

If a licensee changes their general manager/local responsible party, or if the contact information changes, the licensee must file an owner or manager update amendment.

Requirement to post business license number on any advertisements

It is unlawful to advertise a short-term rental without the license number displayed.

Requirement to maintain insurance

The licensee must maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance that covers the use of the property as a short-term rental (or only list the short-term rental through hosting platforms that provide this as part of their service agreement).

Requirement to pay taxes

Check your lodger's and occupational privilege tax accounts to stay on the schedule established with the Treasury Department. Even if you only use AirBnB and lodger's taxes are collected, you must submit required filings on time. You must renew your tax account every odd year. You can access your account at the E-Biz Tax Center.

Update general manager information

Short-term rental licensees who want to add, remove, or update contact information for a general manager must file an owner or manager application. It must be filed within 30 days of any change.

Click this link or use the link on the right side of this page to access the online licensing portal. On the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you want to update, then follow the prompts.

Update contact information

If you want to update your contact information, use the link this link or on the right side of this page to access the online licensing portal. On the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you want to update, then follow the prompts.

Legal name change

If your legal name changed, email a request to licenses@denvergov.org and include one of the following documents:

  • A certified copy of a marriage certificate indicating your new name
  • A certified copy of a final divorce decree in which the judge listed your desired name change
  • Other certified court documents granting a legal name change

Municipal Code

Denver Revised Municipal Code

Definitions 33-46

Requirements 33-47

Brochures 33-50

Fees 32-110

Bulletins and news

Sign up for the latest short-term rental news and bulletins. 

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Compliments or complaints

If you have a compliment, complaint or concern about a business in Denver, complete the form below. We will investigate any complaint about a business license issued for the City and County of Denver.

Compliment and complaint form

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