Short-Term Rental (STR) License

If you rent a property to guests for 1-29 days at one time, a short-term rental license is required. The property being rented must be your primary residence. If you are not the property owner, you will need permission from the property owner to operate short-term rentals there.

If you only rent for 30+ days at a time, no license is required. This must be included in the booking calendar of any online advertisement.

We recommend that all short-term rental applicants start their application by downloading our Short-Term Rental Online Application Guide.(PDF, 916KB)

You can access a full list of FAQs about short-term rentals and application requirements.

A short-term rental applicant can check on the status of an application at any time through the online application portal. Please download our Application Status Check-In Guide(PDF, 457KB) for step by step instructions.

1. Read the laws, rules and regulations that apply to short-term rentals to ensure this license is right for you..
2. If you are a renter, get permission from your landlord to use the property as a short-term rental.
3. If you have an HOA, notify your HOA of your intent to use the property as a short-term rental.
4. Verify that your hosting platform (i.e. AirBnB, VRBO, etc.) provides you liability insurance coverage for at least $1,000,000 - or obtain your own insurance. Regardless of where you obtain insurance, inform your insurance company of your intent to use the property as a short-term rental.
5. Make sure that the property is equipped with proper smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher. 
6. Identify a Local Responsible Party aka "General Manager" who will be able to address issues at the property if you are unavailable. 
7. Put together a brochure(PDF, 153KB) for your guests that contains information required by the STR ordinance.
8. Register for a lodger's tax account.
9. Ensure that you have all the "Required Documents" listed below. All documents must be uploaded as part of the online application.
10. Start your application!

Upon application, you will need to pay a $50 application fee and a $100 license fee. These fees can be paid with a bank account or a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover Card. 

The following documents are required upon application.

All Short-Term Rental Applicants

• A copy of your 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 or other financial documentation
  • A utility bill

If you do not own the short-term rental property

• A signed Possession of Property Certificate(PDF, 906KB)

NOTE - ALL DOCUMENTS MUST REFLECT THE NAME OF THE APPLICANT AND THEIR ADDRESS

NOTE - Excise and Licenses will strive to review any application for a new short term rental license within 7 business days. The application review process may take longer if the application is found to be incomplete or inconsistent. If an application is incomplete or inconsistent, it can significantly extend the amount of time it will take to process an application completely.

The application process for a new short term rental license is as follows:

1. The applicant submits an application online. 
2. Excise and Licenses will review the application and supporting documents for completeness and consistency. If the application is found to be incomplete, an email will be sent to the applicant allowing 14 days for corrections.
3. If the applicant is found to be eligible for licensing, a copy of the short-term rental license will be emailed to applicant. Be sure to read and follow all conditions printed on the license.
4. The licensee should read the section below titled 'Once You Have Your License' and adhere to each of the requirements of licensure. 

Changes in General Manager/Local Responsible Party

If a licensee changes their general manager/local responsible party, or if the contact information for this information changes, the licensee must file an Owner or Manager Update amendment as detailed below.

Requirement to Post Business License Number on any Advertisements

It is unlawful to advertise a short-term rental without the license number clearly displayed on the face of the advertisement.

Requirement to Maintain Insurance

The licensee must maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance that covers the use of the property as a short-term rental at all times (or only list the short-term rental through hosting platforms that provide this as part of their service agreement). 

Requirement to Keep Contact Information Up to Date

If a licensee or general manager's information changes, an online amendment application must be filed making that change.

Requirement to Renew Annually

Business licenses expire annually. It is unlawful to advertise or operate a short-term rental with an expired license. Renewal applications must be filed online with Excise and Licenses before a license expires.

Requirement to Pay Taxes

Double check your Lodger's and OPT Accounts to stay on the tax payment schedule established with the Treasury Department. Even if you only utilize AirBnB and lodger's taxes are collected on your behalf, you must submit your required filings on-time.  You must also renew your tax account every odd year. You can access your account online a the E-Biz Tax Center.

WHEN TO FILE 

Short-Term Rental licensees wishing to add, remove, or update contact information for a general manager must file an Owner or Manager application. This application must be filed within 30 days of any change.

HOW TO FILE

Please click HERE or use the link on the right hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. On the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you wish to update, and then follow the prompts.

LEGAL NAME CHANGES

If your legal name changed, please e-mail a written request to licenses@denvergov.org and include one of the following documents in your e-mail:

• 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 directly on the decree
• Other certified court documents granting a legal name change

WHEN & HOW TO FILE

If you would like to update your contact information, please use the link HERE or on the right hand side of this page to access our online licensing portal. On the "My Licenses" page, select the "Amendment" action for the license you wish to update, and then follow the prompts.

LEGAL NAME CHANGES

If your legal name changed, please e-mail a written request to licenses@denvergov.org and include one of the following documents in your e-mail:

• 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 directly on the decree
• Other certified court documents granting a legal name change