Denver, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations

City Code of Ordinances

The Denver City Council passed an ordinance governing short-term rentals in 2016. Short-term rental means any dwelling unit offered, provided, or operated as lodging accommodations to guests in exchange for remuneration for less than thirty (30) consecutive days.  Any short-term rental must be the host’s primary residence. According to Denver laws, a primary residence is “a residence which is the usual place of return for housing,” and a person can only have one primary house. Below you'll find more information on Denver's short-term rental laws, rules, and regulations:

• Short-Term Rental Ordinance
• Short-Term Rental Page
• Short-Term Rental Rules

Business License Requirements

All short-term rentals must have a license. If you are a long-term tenant, you'll need a copy of your lease and written authorization from the property owner if you don't own your primary house.  The property cannot be licensed as a short-term rental if it is not your primary residence. To rent such a property on a short-term basis, you need to get a lodging facility license.  Apply for the following if applicable: 

• Short-Term Rental License 
• Possession of Property Certificate
• Lodging Facility License

Building and Housing Standards

To use a residential property as a Lodging Facility, a host may need to make considerable changes to meet eligibility requirements, such as a change in zone use or a change in building occupancy classification, among other things. Most buildings require work to change their building classification, such as installing fire sprinklers and making other modifications to comply with accessibility standards. Visit Denver Building Code for change of occupancy guidelines and Commercial Zoning for more information on the permitting requirements for a change in zoning use or to determine your property’s zone district. 

Tourist and Local Taxes

Short-term rental licensees must pay the lodger’s tax (10.75%), Occupational Privilege Tax ($48 a year), and any other applicable taxes or fees. The tax license application is available on the city’s business taxes webpage.

Other Rules

The maximum number of guests can be specified by the hosts. According to the Denver Zoning Code, short-term rentals are accessory to primary residential use, which means the property's overall character should remain residential. Short-term rentals do not include renting a residential unit for commercial events such as parties or weddings. In short-term rental, only one rental contract can be allowed at a time. Multiple rental contracts to separate parties in a short-term rental are prohibited. Hosts must leave a brochure with contact information and instructions on city services. The name and contact information of a general manager/local responsible party must also be provided as part of the license application. This person must be available to address issues when the licensee is out of town. 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 Denver for more information.