Denver Metro Short-Term Rental Rules & Licensing Guide

If you’re planning to host on Airbnb or VRBO, this Denver Metro Short-Term Rental Rules & Licensing Guide gives you a city-by-city overview of what’s legal, what’s required, and how to stay compliant.

STR Rules Summarized

   🟢 Green circle (Live‑in / Primary‑occupied STR)

   🔵 Blue circle (Non‑occupying / Investment STR)

Know the Rules: City STR Requirements & Resources

This includes city by city STR licensing laws and contact information. Please share updates and corrections to rogelio@vidabroker.com as municipal policies do tend to change! 

Denver

• Definition / scope

  • STR = stays under 30 days.(AirSimplicity)

• Core rules

  • Property must be your primary residence (“usual place of return”).(Denver.gov)

  • Only one STR license per person.(Minut)

  • License number must appear in all ads.(Denver.gov)

• Licensing & tax

  • Apply online for Short-Term Rental License and lodger’s tax account.(Denver.gov)

  • Lodger’s tax 10.75% on STR stays, plus state/county taxes.(Denver.gov)

• Where to start

  • STR info: denvergov.org → Business Licensing → Short-Term Rentals.

  • Phone: 311 or 720-913-1311 from outside Denver (ask for Business Licensing).(occlienttestus3.dev.opencities.com)

Aurora

• Definition / scope

  • STR = stays 30 nights or less; only primary residences may host.(Airbnb)

• Core rules

  • Entire-dwelling STRs limited to 180 days in any 365-day period.(Aurora Municipal Codes)

  • Only one booking at a time (one guest group).(Aurora, CO)

• Licensing & tax

  • Requires city business license and lodger’s tax collection.(Aurora, CO)

• Where to start

  • City FAQ: “Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rental” on auroragov.org.(Aurora, CO)

  • Tax & Licensing Division: 303-739-7057, businesslic@auroragov.org.(Aurora, CO)

Lakewood

• Definition / scope

  • STR license required for rentals under 30 days.(Lakewood/Airbnb)

• Core rules

  • STR must be owner’s primary residence (proof required).(Lakewood)

  • City requires inspection and life-safety checklist.(Scott Home Inspection)

• Licensing & tax

  • Apply via City Clerk: “Short-Term Rental License Applications”.(Lakewood)

  • Fines for unlicensed STRs can be high (up to $5,000).(BNB Calc)

• Where to start

  • Info: lakewood.org → City Clerk → Short-Term Rental License.(Lakewood)

  • Main phone: 303-987-7000 (ask for City Clerk / Licensing).(Lakewood)

Golden

• Definition / scope

  • STR = stays <30 days in residential or commercial zones.(City of Golden/Guiding Golden)

• Core rules (residential)

  • Must be owner-occupied at least 10 months/year.(City of Golden)

  • Only one STR license per lot.(The Fi Team)

  • Occupancy ≈ 4 unrelated people limit.(Guiding Golden)

• Commercial “tourist homes”

  • No primary-res requirement but limited to specific commercial zoning.(BNB Calc)

• Licensing & tax

  • STR license (2-year) or Tourist Home license; proof of insurance required.(BNB Calc)

• Where to start

  • Info: cityofgolden.gov → Short-Term Rentals. (City of Golden)

  • Planning Dept: 303-384-8097 (via city contact page).(City of Golden)

Arvada

• Definition / scope

  • STR = 1–29 days; 30+ days treated as LTR.(Arvada CO)

• Core rules

  • Up to 3 STR properties per owner.(Arvada CO)

  • Each property can host guests up to 240 days/year, one reservation at a time.(Arvada CO)

  • Both owners and long-term tenants (with permission) can host.(gosummer.com)

• Licensing & tax

  • Requires STR permit (about $150/year) + business license.(BNB Calc)

• Where to start

  • FAQ: arvadaco.gov/FAQ.aspx?QID=100. (Arvada CO)

  • City Hall main: 720-898-7000 (ask for Sales Tax/Business Licensing).(Arvada CO)

Westminster

• Definition / scope

  • STR = lodging for <30 days in a residential property.(Westminster CO)

• Core rules

  • Any host offering STR must obtain a short-term rental license.(Westminster CO)

  • Initial license valid 2 years, no fee; renewal ~$200.(Westminster CO)

• Licensing & tax

  • Requires STR license + business & sales tax license, plus accommodations tax registration.(Westminster CO)

• Where to start

  • STR page: westminsterco.gov/815/Short-Term-Rentals. (Westminster CO)

  • City Hall main: 303-658-2400 (ask for STR licensing).(Westminster CO)

Thornton

• Definition / scope

  • STR = rental of all or part of a dwelling for <30 days.(City of Thornton)

• Core rules

  • Only property owners may operate an STR.(Thornton)

  • Dwelling must be the owner’s primary residence.(Thornton)

  • ADU can be STR only if principal dwelling is primary residence and not also STR. (City of Thornton)

  • Annual STR license fee: $180.(Thornton)

• Licensing & tax

  • 7% lodging tax on STR stays, remitted quarterly.(Thornton)

• Where to start

  • FAQ & licensing portal: thornton.munirevs.com/faq. (Thornton)

  • STR regulation questions: Thornton Development Services, 303-538-7295, devservices@thorntonco.gov.(BNB Calc)

  • City main: 303-538-7200.(City of Thornton)

Commerce City

• Definition / scope

  • As of Jan 1, 2025, STRs are legal subject to new rules.(C3Gov)

  • STR = <30 days in eligible single-family or certain attached homes (no apartments).(C3Gov)

• Core rules

  • STR must be accessory to a long-term residence (owner or tenant lives there most of the year).(C3Gov)

  • 500-ft separation between STRs in many residential zones.(C3Gov)

  • Generally one STR per lot.(C3Gov)

  • Annual license fee: $150.(C3Gov)

• Licensing & tax

  • STR license + business license; zoning verification often required first.(C3Gov)

• Where to start

  • Program page: c3gov.com → Short Term Rental License Program. (C3Gov)

  • STR contact: Mireya Melendez, City Clerk’s Office – 303-289-5053.(C3Gov)

  • City main: 303-289-3600.(C3Gov)

Littleton

• Definition / scope

  • STR = 1–28 days; longer stays treated separately.(Littleton CO)

• Core rules

  • License required to offer STR in your primary residence.(Littleton CO)

  • New non-primary STR licenses not issued; existing are renewal-only.(EncodePlus)

  • No STRs in ADUs, RVs, or temporary structures.(EncodePlus)

• Licensing & tax

  • STR license + sales/use tax and short-term lodgers tax (extra 5%).(EncodePlus)

• Where to start

  • STR page: littletonco.gov → Short-Term Rental License. (Littleton CO)

  • Email: STR@littletongov.org (on STR page).(Littleton CO)

  • City main: 303-795-3700.(Littleton CO)

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