Steamboat Springs, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Steamboat 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
Steamboat Springs defines a short-term rental as a dwelling unit offered, provided, used, or operated as lodging accommodation to guests in exchange for remuneration for less than 30 consecutive days while the owner or other permanent resident does not reside in the dwelling unit. The term short-term rental shall only apply to periods of time when the owner or other permanent resident is not residing in the dwelling unit.A hosted short-term rental is defined as the use of one guest room located within a dwelling unit offered, provided, used, or operated as a lodging accommodation to guests in exchange for remuneration for less than 30 consecutive days while the owner or other permanent resident is residing and present in the dwelling unit.
You can see the zoning map for the short-term rental overlay zone here. For more information, visit the Steamboat Springs Short-Term Rentals page.
Business License Requirements
All short-term rentals and hosted short-term rentals shall obtain a license prior to January 1, 2023.There are 3 types of STR license:
- Unrestricted licenses are required for all short-term rentals within Zone A of the Short-Term Rental Overlay.
- Restricted licenses are required for all short-term rentals within Zone B or Zone C of the Short-Term Rental Overlay.
- Hosted licenses are required for all hosted short-term rentals.
Building and Housing Standards
Steamboat 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 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.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 Steamboat Springs for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.4
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Competition
4.1 -
Real Estate Cost
3.0 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
2.1 -
Rental Rates
9.5
Steamboat 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
- 13,214
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Routt
- Airports
- Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
Want to learn more about Steamboat 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 Steamboat Springs rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Steamboat Springs rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Steamboat 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 Steamboat Springs guests.
Interested in other Colorado cities?
Check out the Colorado short term rental regulations directory
What makes Steamboat Springs a great place to invest?
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado is a world-renowned ski destination, boasting some of the best powder and slopes in North America. Visitors can hit the slopes at Steamboat Ski Resort, which features 18 lifts, 169 trails, and over 2,900 acres of terrain. The resort also offers a variety of amenities, including ski and snowboard rentals, lessons, and on-mountain dining.
- Beyond skiing, Steamboat Springs offers a wealth of outdoor activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and horseback riding. Visitors can explore the Yampa River Botanic Park, which features over 50 gardens and natural areas, or venture into the Routt National Forest for a scenic hike or drive.
- The town of Steamboat Springs is also home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous galleries, studios, and performance venues. Visitors can catch a show at the historic Chief Theater, or check out the works of local artists at the Steamboat Art Museum.
- For sports enthusiasts, Steamboat Springs is home to the Steamboat Wranglers, a Junior A hockey team, and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, which trains young athletes in skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. The town also hosts a variety of annual sporting events, such as the Steamboat Marathon and the Steamboat Stage Race.
- Steamboat Springs is surrounded by some of Colorado's most stunning natural parks and landmarks. Visitors can take a day trip to the stunning Dinosaur National Monument, which features over 800 paleontological sites and exhibits. Or, they can explore the breathtaking vistas and trails of the nearby Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area.
- Foodies will appreciate Steamboat Springs' diverse dining scene, which features everything from farm-to-table cuisine to international fare. Visitors can savor a locally-sourced meal at Harwigs, or indulge in Italian specialties at Mazzola's.
- Steamboat Springs is also home to a variety of spas and wellness centers, making it the perfect place to unwind and relax. Visitors can treat themselves to a massage or facial at the Old Town Hot Springs, or soak in the natural hot springs at Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
Steamboat Springs Nearby Cities
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60 miles away
- Rating: 5.5
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63 miles away
- Rating: 4.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Steamboat 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 Steamboat Springs has increased 0% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $730, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,060,000
0% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$730
3% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Steamboat Springs
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Common terms for Steamboat 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 Steamboat Springs has a description approximately 2,808 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 3,299 listings in Steamboat 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 Hot tub, Steamboat Spring, Gas fireplace, Ski, Flat screen, Steamboat Ski, Balcony, Deck, Base, and Perfect.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Steamboat 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 Steamboat Springs involve Hiking, Snow Skiing, Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, and Cycling. 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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Snow Skiing
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Mountain Biking
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Snowboarding
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Cycling
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Cross Country Skiing
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Rafting
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Mountain Climbing
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Ice Skating
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Horseback Riding
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Kayaking
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Snowmobiling
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Steamboat Springs, including Steamboat Ski Resort, Steamboat Ski Resort, Strawberry Hot Springs, Strawberry Hot Springs, and Steamboat Gondola. 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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Steamboat Ski Resort
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Steamboat Gondola
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Old Town Hot Springs
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Strawberry Hot Springs
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Steamboat Ski Resort
Included on 0% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Strawberry Hot Springs
Included on 0% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Steamboat Gondola
Included on 0% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Old Town Hot Springs
Included on 0% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Yampa River Botanic Park
Included on 0% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Yampa River Core Trail
Included on 0% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Thunderhead Express
Included on 0% of listings
What’s the weather like in Steamboat Springs, Colorado?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 55°, while the average low is about 28°. 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 56 inches per year. The humidity levels in Steamboat 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
10° Low 31° High
Spring
March through May
28° Low 53° High
Summer
June through August
45° Low 78° High
Fall
September through November
29° Low 56° High
Cities Near Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is located in Routt County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
