Denver Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental License ($150) |
| Primary Residence | ✓ Required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit — 29 days or fewer per stay |
| Tax Rate | 13.65% |
| Max Penalty | $1,000 per violation per day |
| Insurance | ✓ Required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Short-Term Rental License
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $150 |
| Renewal | $100 / 1 year |
The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.
Application Process
Apply online with Colorado ID, 2+ residency documents, proof of possession, and lodger's tax account; initial review up to 30 days, specialist review up to 90 days
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Sales Tax | 2.9% | State of Colorado |
| Denver Lodger's Tax | 10.75% | City of Denver |
Combined rate: 13.65% of gross rental income.
Collection: Marketplace facilitators required to collect and remit state and state-administered sales taxes; hosts must obtain a lodger's tax account
Filing: Quarterly for county lodging taxes; Denver lodger's tax filed separately with the city
Rental Limits
Denver does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be 29 days or fewer per stay.
Zoning & Restrictions
Must comply with Denver Zoning Code, section 11.8.10
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental. Limits set by the director of Excise and Licenses
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher required on licensed premises
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Booking service providers face $1,000 per violation per day for facilitating unlicensed STRs; license suspension or revocation for other violations
Platform Requirements
- Booking service providers may not process transactions for unlicensed STRs
- Must maintain transaction records for 5 years including names, addresses, dates, prices, and license numbers
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Denver:
- Confirm eligibility. The property must be your primary residence. Investment properties are not eligible.
- Meet safety requirements. Functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher required on licensed premises.
- Obtain liability insurance. Required for property's use as a short-term rental.
- Apply for Short-Term Rental License. Submit application + $150 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up hotel occupancy tax accounts with the city tax authority.
- Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
- Collect and remit taxes. 13.65% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $100 renewal fee.
Official Sources
- Short-Term Rentals - City and County of Denver
- Denver Code of Ordinances Chapter 33 Lodging Article III - Short-Term Rentals
- Sales & Use Tax Topics: Rooms & Accommodations - Colorado Department of Revenue
- New short-term rental application - City and County of Denver
- Renewal short-term rental application - City and County of Denver
- Short-term rental frequently asked questions - City and County of Denver
- Regulations - Mile High Hosts
- Denver Begins Residential Rental Enforcement Efforts - City and County of Denver