Aurora, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Aurora Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
Short-term rentals of residential rooms or homes on sites like Airbnb or VRBO are considered a business activity subject to city regulations. Short-term rentals as home occupancy are permitted under the city code in residential zones. They may, however, be restricted by the HOA. A home occupation only permits the resident of the home to engage in business activity. This means that if your property is not your primary residence, you cannot rent it out for a short period of time. You are liable for any negative effects your renters have on the community, such as noise or other nuisance violations. There are no restrictions on the number of days or square footage that can be rented out for a short period of time, but it must be your primary residence. At any given time, only one listing or booking is permitted. The resident does not have to be the owner of the property. If you have a tenant that does short-term rentals, you should be aware that the tenant's use of the property for business purposes may impact you. See the Aurora Short-term vs. Long-term Rental page for more information.Business License Requirements
Anyone engaged in business in the city is required to obtain a general business license.Building and Housing Standards
Home Occupation is a secondary use that operates business activities within a residential dwelling and follows the Supplemental Regulations for Home Occupations set forth within the Building and Zoning Code Section 146-3.3.J.Tourist and Local Taxes
The city requires that an 8.00% tax be remitted on all transactions of furnishing a room or rooms. The tax is based on the full price charged to the customer. Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the state and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Aurora for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating4.6
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Competition
2.7 -
Real Estate Cost
4.6 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
5.8 -
Rental Rates
5.8
Aurora, Colorado Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 386,261
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- June through August
- County
- Arapahoe
- Airports
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
Want to learn more about Aurora?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Aurora rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Aurora rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Aurora.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Aurora guests.
Interested in other Colorado cities?
Check out the Colorado Airbnb rules directory
What makes Aurora a great place to invest?
The city's rich history dates back to the 1800s and features many landmarks, such as the State Capitol building and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. There are also plenty of attractions for visitors of all ages, including ski resorts, theme parks, and lakes.
Aurora's Unique Attractions
Aurora, Colorado, is home to some very interesting attractions that will make your trip memorable. Aurora has something for everyone, from the stunning landscape of the Rocky Mountains to the many shops and restaurants in town! Here are five of our favorite attractions:
- Aurora History Museum – If you're looking for a fun museum with a lot of history, the Aurora History Museum is worth checking out. With exhibits on everything from local pioneer life to military history, it's sure to have something for everyone.
- Dinosaur Park – If you're a fan of dinosaurs, then you'll want to check out Dinosaur Park in Aurora. This place is full of lifelike animatronic dinosaurs that you can explore and even ride on (if you're brave enough!).
- Children's Museum of Aurora – If you have kids, then the Children's Museum of Aurora is worth visiting. This museum has something for everyone with exhibits on all sorts of topics, from art to science.
- Historic Downtown Area – One of the things we love most about Aurora is its historic downtown area. This is where you'll find the antique stores and unique boutiques, and it's also where you can enjoy some of the best restaurants in the city.
- Railyard District – If you love trains and/or architecture, then your best bet for a fun afternoon in Aurora would be to go to the Railyard District. Shops line the historic downtown area, giving you lots of places to browse and explore while enjoying a delicious lunch or dinner at one of Aurora's many restaurants.
- Cherry Creek Trail – If you get bored driving on Aurora's major roads, take a break and check out the Cherry Creek Trail. This path combines bike paths and hiking trails, so it's the perfect place to jog or walk.
- Platte River Trail – If you like to take hikes or bike rides, then the Platte River Trail is where you need to go in Aurora. This path winds through some of Aurora's most scenic areas, giving you great views of Lakewood Gulch and other scenic areas.
Aurora Nearby Cities
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1 miles away
- Rating: 4.6
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10 miles away
- Rating: 5.8
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Aurora?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Aurora has decreased -5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $366, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$620,182
-5% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$366
-6% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,190
3% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Aurora, Colorado
Common terms for Aurora short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Aurora has a description approximately 1,755 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 7,217 listings in Aurora, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Denver, Downtown Denver, Backyard, Patio, Downtown, Easy, Place, Basement, Perfect, and Spacious.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Aurora?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Aurora involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Theme Parks, Water Parks, and the Zoo. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Theme Parks
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Water Parks
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Zoo
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Hiking
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Adventure Activities
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Health Spa
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Cycling
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Mountain Biking
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Mountain Climbing
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Rock Climbing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Aurora, including Union Station, Coors Field, Denver Zoo, 16th Street Mall, and Ball Arena. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Included on 65% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Included on 65% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Denver Botanic Gardens
Included on 65% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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16th Street Mall
Included on 64% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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University of Denver
Included on 63% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Elitch Gardens Theme Park
Included on 63% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Ball Arena
Included on 62% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Denver Zoo
Included on 62% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Union Station
Included on 62% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Denver Art Museum
Included on 61% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Coors Field
Included on 60% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Included on 60% of listings
What’s the weather like in Aurora, Colorado?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 65°, while the average low is about 40°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 10 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 14 inches per year. The humidity levels in Aurora are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
23° Low 46° High
Spring
March through May
39° Low 64° High
Summer
June through August
59° Low 85° High
Fall
September through November
40° Low 66° High
Cities Near Aurora
Aurora, Colorado, is located in Arapahoe County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
