Colorado Springs, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Colorado Springs 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
In Colorado Springs, short-term rentals are allowed with restrictions. There are two types of short-term rentals:- Owner-occupied short-term rentals are those properties that the owner physically occupies for no less than 185 days per year. Owner-occupied short-term rentals are allowed in lawful dwelling units (i.e., you cannot rent out a tuff shed, tent, etc.) in zones where residential units are permitted. Those specific zones are A, R, R-1 9000, R-1 6000, R-2, R-4, R-5, SU, PUD, OR, OC, PBC, C-5, C-6, and M-1.
- Non-owner-occupied short-term rental unit permit applications submitted after 12-26-2019 are not permitted in single-family zoning districts (R, R-1 9000, R-1 6000, or single-family PUDs).
To view Zoning, click here.
- Under Section 7.5.1706(H), "maximum overnight occupancy of a short-term rental unit shall be limited to two (2) occupants per bedroom, plus an additional two (2) occupants per dwelling unit. The maximum occupancy per dwelling unit shall be fifteen (15) occupants."
- For more information, consult the Colorado Springs Short Term Rentals page
Business License Requirements
You need a permit to rent a short-term rental to guests in Colorado Springs. For more information, visit the New Short Term Rental Permit Application.Additional Resources:
Building and Housing Standards
Colorado Springs has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the Colorado Springs Code Enforcement Department for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law. If you're advertising your short-term rental on websites other than Airbnb, you must obtain a City Sales Tax License (Airbnb collects sales tax on the City's behalf). All taxes owed to the City shall be remitted before issuing the short-term rental permit (Ordinance 19-49).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 Colorado Springs for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.3
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Competition
3.2 -
Real Estate Cost
9.6 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
5.6 -
Rental Rates
3.9
Colorado Springs, 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
- 478,961
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- El Paso
- Airports
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
Want to learn more about Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Colorado Springs rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Colorado Springs.
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 Colorado Springs guests.
Interested in other Colorado cities?
Check out the Colorado Airbnb rules directory
What makes Colorado Springs a great place to invest?
- Colorado Springs, Colorado is a natural wonderland, home to some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring landscapes in the world. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to the stunning Garden of the Gods Park, visitors will find endless opportunities to explore and experience the great outdoors.
- The city is also home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, which offers tours, training opportunities, and events for visitors of all ages. With a focus on sports and wellness, the center is a great place to experience the spirit of the Olympic games and learn about the training and dedication required to be a world-class athlete.
- For history buffs, Colorado Springs is home to a variety of museums and historical sites, including the Western Museum of Mining & Industry, which showcases the region's rich mining history through interactive exhibits and educational programs.
- The city is also a great place to enjoy the arts, with a variety of theaters, galleries, and cultural events that showcase the talent and creativity of local artists and performers.
- And for those seeking outdoor recreation, Colorado Springs is surrounded by a variety of parks, lakes, and outdoor recreational areas, including the Pikes Peak region, which offers a variety of hiking trails, scenic drives, and outdoor adventures.
Colorado Springs Nearby Cities
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36 miles away
- Rating: 6.2
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41 miles away
- Rating: 6.6
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs has increased 0% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $0, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$725
0% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$0
0% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,779
3% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Colorado Springs
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Colorado Springs, Colorado
Common terms for Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs has a description approximately 2,002 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 3,867 listings in Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Spring, Garden, Pikes Peak, Patio, Perfect, Family, Outdoor, God, Hot tub, and Comfortable.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs involve Hiking, Mountain Biking, the Zoo, Museums, and Mountain Climbing. 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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Hiking
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Mountain Biking
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Zoo
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Museums
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Mountain Climbing
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Cycling
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Adventure Activities
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Rock Climbing
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Wildlife Viewing
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Horseback Riding
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City Centre
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Health Spa
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Colorado Springs, including Garden of the Gods, US Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Peterson Air Force Base, and Glen Eyrie Castle. 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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Garden of the Gods
Included on 75% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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US Air Force Academy
Included on 75% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Glen Eyrie Castle
Included on 74% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Pikes Peak Center
Included on 72% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Red Rock Canyon
Included on 71% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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United States Olympic Complex
Included on 71% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cave of the Winds
Included on 69% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Included on 67% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Seven Falls
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Broadmoor Golf Club
Included on 58% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Colorado College
Included on 56% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Peterson Air Force Base
Included on 50% of listings
What’s the weather like in Colorado Springs, Colorado?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 63°, while the average low is about 38°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 9 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 12 inches per year. The humidity levels in Colorado Springs 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
21° Low 45° High
Spring
March through May
36° Low 61° High
Summer
June through August
56° Low 82° High
Fall
September through November
38° Low 64° High
Cities Near Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado, is located in El Paso County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
