Vail Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Individual Property Owners STR License ($260) — See below for other permit types |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | 10.8% |
| Max Penalty | $2,650 per violation |
| Insurance | $1,000,000 liability required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
- Individual Property Owners STR License — You own and self-manage the property (no on-site front desk) ($260/year)
- Professional Property Managers STR License — A licensed professional property management company manages the STR ($260/year)
- On-Site 24/7 Front Desk Managed STR License — Property is in a building with on-site 24/7 front desk (e.g., hotel-style condo) ($50/year)
Individual Property Owners STR License
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $260 |
| Renewal | $260 / Annual |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Professional Property Managers STR License
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $260 |
| Renewal | $260 / Annual |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
On-Site 24/7 Front Desk Managed STR License
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $50 |
| Renewal | $50 / Annual |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Application Process
Online application via vail.munirevs.com. Requires fire inspection, insurance proof, affidavit, and local representative designation. Fee paid online via ACH or credit card.
Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado State Sales Tax | 2.9% | State of Colorado |
| Eagle County Tax | 1.0% | County |
| Vail City Sales Tax | 4.5% | City of Vail |
| Eagle County Mass Transit Tax | 0.5% | County |
| Eagle Valley Regional Transportation Authority Tax | 0.5% | County |
| Vail Local Marketing District Tax | 1.4% | City of Vail |
Combined rate: 10.8% of gross rental income.
Collection: Platform bookings: platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) collect and remit automatically. Direct bookings: host collects and remits directly to Town of Vail.
Filing: Monthly tax returns required. County lodging tax remitted quarterly.
Rental Limits
Vail does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.
Occupancy & Density Limits
Two people per bedroom plus two additional guests, not to exceed one person per 200 square feet
Zoning & Restrictions
No density cap implemented. STRs permitted throughout Vail with license.
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Operators must maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Passed fire inspection (Certificate of Fire Inspection required before license)
- Fire inspection required every three years
- Signage must be displayed with license number, local representative contact, and town complaint hotline
- Notarized self-compliance affidavit required
- No portable outdoor fire pits permitted
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Maximum penalty: $2,650 per violation.
Platform Requirements
Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Evolve) handle tax collection and remittance for platform bookings. Platform insurance accepted in lieu of separate policy.
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Vail:
- Determine your permit type. Vail has 3 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Individual Property Owners STR License, Professional Property Managers STR License, On-Site 24/7 Front Desk Managed STR License).
- Meet safety requirements. Passed fire inspection (Certificate of Fire Inspection required before license). Fire inspection required every three years. Signage must be displayed with license number, local representative contact, and town complaint hotline. Notarized self-compliance affidavit required. No portable outdoor fire pits permitted.
- Obtain liability insurance. $1,000,000 minimum.
- Apply for your STR permit. Submit application + $260 fee. See permit types above to determine which applies.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Town of Vail Finance Department.
- Collect and remit taxes. 10.8% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. Renewal fees vary by permit type ($260 / $50). See permit types above.