Keystone, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations

City Code of Ordinances

Summit County, Colorado, regulates short-term vacation rentals to address neighborhood impacts and life safety issues. Summit County's regulations for short-term vacation rentals (STRs) apply to properties within the unincorporated areas of Summit County. The number of STR units currently licensed in Summit County's unincorporated areas is unrestricted.

Additional Resources: 

• Short-Term Rental Regulations page
• Summit County STR Ordinance and Code Section 3821: Short-Term Rental Regulations (pdf)

Business License Requirements

Suppose your property is located in the STR Resort Overlay Zone (which includes Keystone, Copper Mountain, Tiger Run Resort, and unincorporated areas at the base of Peak 8 in Breckenridge). In that case, you will need to apply for a Resort License. The resort license has no limit on nights short-term rented. Occupancy is determined by the greater of either 2 people per bedroom plus 4 or 1 person per 200 square feet of living area. (Please see exceptions for properties on septic systems and condominiums containing egress components less than 44 inches wide and without a sprinkler system, as stated in Section 6.1.f of the STR Ordinance.

Apply for your STR license here: Summit County Short-Term Rental Registration Portal

Building and Housing Standards

Summit County 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. See the Summit County helpful shortcuts referenced in the STR Regulations below:

• Summit County Development Code, Chapter 3
• Figure 3-2: Land Use Matrix 
• Good Neighbor Guidelines
• CRS 38-45-104: Carbon monoxide alarms in rental properties (starting on p. 555)
• Summit County Building Requirements for a Loft (as a sleeping room, p. 7)
• Section 6 CCR 1010-14: Sanitary Standards and Rules for Public Accommodations
• Section 5CCR 1003-5: Swimming Pools and Mineral Baths
• Section 5CCR 100-11: Primary Drinking Water Regulation
• Short Term Rental Building Permit Checklist 
• Summit County Noise Ordinance

Tourist and Local Taxes

Sales tax for short-term rental properties located in unincorporated Summit County is paid directly to the State of Colorado Department of Revenue at 6.375%. The State forwards 2% to the County. You do not pay the sales tax directly to the County. Properties located in Unincorporated Summit County are not subject to lodging tax. For information on sales taxes applicable to properties located in unincorporated Summit County, visit the Summit County Finance Department Sales Tax and Short-Term Rental Tax Information.

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 Summit County for more information.