Thornton, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated August 23, 2023

Thornton 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 2020, City Council approved an ordinance that allows STRs in Thornton with specific conditions and requirements. The Ordinance was effective February 1, 2021.

Business License Requirements

According to Sections 18-54 and 18-174 of the Thornton City Code, anyone operating a short-term rental in the city must possess a short-term rental license. Additionally, owners must collect and send lodging taxes to the city and have a business license. Apply for a ​Sales and Use Tax Business License here.

Building and Housing Standards

Thornton 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 Building Inspection Division 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 Thornton for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    6.0
  • Competition

    6.9
  • Real Estate Cost

    5.6
  • STR Regulations

    8.0
  • Seasonality

    5.9
  • Rental Rates

    3.5

Thornton, 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
141,867
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Adams
Airports
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
Review our Thornton Colorado short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Thornton?

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 Thornton rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Thornton rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Thornton.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Thornton Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Thornton guests.

Interested in other Colorado cities?

Check out the Colorado Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Thornton a great place to invest?

  1. Thornton, Colorado, offers the best of both worlds for outdoor enthusiasts and city explorers. The city is surrounded by stunning natural parks and trails, including Rocky Mountain National Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and Barr Lake State Park. Visitors can hike, bike, or horseback ride through the beautiful Colorado landscape, with breathtaking views of the Rockies in the distance.
  2. Thornton is also home to a vibrant and growing cultural scene, with a range of arts and entertainment venues, including the Boondocks Fun Center and Cinebarre Thornton Town Center. Visitors can catch a movie or a live performance, enjoy a round of miniature golf, or even go bowling in this lively and family-friendly city.
  3. For sports enthusiasts, Thornton offers easy access to Denver's professional sports teams, including the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, and Denver Nuggets. Visitors can catch a game at Coors Field or the Pepsi Center, or take a tour of the famous Mile High Stadium, where the Broncos play.
  4. In addition to outdoor activities and sports, Thornton offers a range of amenities for visitors, including top-rated restaurants, shopping malls, and spas. Visitors can indulge in delicious Colorado cuisine, shop for unique souvenirs and gifts, or enjoy a relaxing day at a local spa or wellness center.
  5. Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about local culture and heritage, Thornton offers a range of historic landmarks and museums to explore. Visitors can visit the beautiful, centuries-old St. Patrick's Mission Church, the historic Thornton Fire Station No. 1, or the beautiful Veteran's Memorial.

Thornton Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Thornton?

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 Thornton has decreased -4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $259, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$513,099

-4% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$259

-9% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$2,185

3% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Thornton, Colorado

Word Cloud for Thornton, Colorado Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Thornton 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 Thornton has a description approximately 1,595 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 1,047 listings in Thornton, 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, Backyard, Basement, Downtown Denver, Spacious, Boulder, Easy, Patio, Family, and Place.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Thornton?

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 Thornton involve Water Parks, Adventure Activities, Hiking, Outlet Shopping, and Theme Parks. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Water Parks

Adventure Activities

Hiking

Outlet Shopping

Theme Parks

Zoo

Museums

City Centre

Health Spa

Swimming

Cycling

Mountain Biking

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Thornton, including Union Station, Coors Field, 16th Street Mall, Elitch Gardens Theme Park, and Water World. 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.

Well Known Attraction

Water World

Included on 66% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Included on 63% of listings

Regional Landmark

National Western Complex

Included on 62% of listings

Regional Landmark

Regis University

Included on 62% of listings

Regional Landmark

Denver Coliseum

Included on 62% of listings

Regional Landmark

1stBank Center

Included on 61% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Union Station

Included on 61% of listings

Regional Landmark

The Shops At Northfield

Included on 61% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Coors Field

Included on 60% of listings

Well Known Attraction

16th Street Mall

Included on 60% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Elitch Gardens Theme Park

Included on 59% of listings

Regional Landmark

Denver's Downtown Aquarium

Included on 59% of listings

What’s the weather like in Thornton, 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 Thornton 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

24° Low 46° High

Precipitation
0.4"
Snowfall
6.7"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
42%

Spring

March through May

38° Low 64° High

Precipitation
3.8"
Snowfall
4.2"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
45%

Summer

June through August

58° Low 86° High

Precipitation
4.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
31%

Fall

September through November

40° Low 66° High

Precipitation
2.0"
Snowfall
3.6"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
33%