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HomeShort-Term Rental LawsColoradoDenver

Local guide

Denver Short-Term Rental Laws

Check Denver STR legality, permits, eligibility, documents, taxes, operating rules, renewal, and official application sources.

  • 100+ U.S. cities
  • Official sources
  • Address used only for local rules

Compliance layers

A Clear Answer, Then a Path Forward.

Critical Finding

See whether the property can operate now, what blocks it, and which exception may apply.

Address Context

Confirm zoning, current land use, jurisdiction, and the rules that actually govern the address.

Required Approvals

Get the permits, licenses, documents, inspections, and tax registrations needed before launch.

Recommended Path

Follow prioritized next steps, deadlines, renewal duties, and viable alternatives when rules change.

Occupancy tax calculator

Estimate occupancy tax in Denver, CO

Enter the nightly rate and stay length to estimate the lodging taxes and guest total for this jurisdiction.

Gross rent$150.00 × 3 nights
$450.00
Denver lodger tax (10.75%) $450.00 × 10.75%
$48.38
Estimated taxes and fees
$48.38

Guest pays

$498.38

Assumptions used

  • Transient stay: The baseline is intended for a transient stay under the Denver 30-day agreement boundary; a qualifying 30-day agreement is not modeled.

What may change the final amount

  • State, county, and district taxes. Denver lodger's tax is only one layer. State, county, transportation, and other district taxes can apply based on the address and are not inferred here.
  • Taxable gross receipts and deductions. Denver guidance identifies service/labor deductions, direct government/charity charges, bad debts, and 30-day agreements; the base calculator does not request those deductions.
  • Source-backed scope note. Denver’s known 10.75% lodger-tax layer is included. Net taxable receipts and separately treated fees follow the City return rules.
Open the full occupancy tax calculator

Estimated tax is $48.38. Estimated guest total is $498.38.

Estimate only. Verify the property jurisdiction, exemptions, taxable charges, filing duties, and marketplace collection with the linked official sources.

Legal Status

Allowed only in the host’s primary residence with a Denver short-term rental license.

The licensing authority is the consolidated City and County of Denver. A Denver postal address outside that boundary can fall under another municipality or county and is not covered by this page.

Denver short-term rentals are residential dwelling units available for stays of one to 29 days.

Denver Rules at a Glance

Jurisdiction
City of Denver
Legal status
Allowed only in the host’s primary residence with a Denver short-term rental license.
Required approval
Denver Short-Term Rental License
Government fee
Pay the application and license fees shown in the current Denver online application.
Term / renewal
Renew on the expiration schedule assigned to the Denver business license.
Primary residence
The STR must be the applicant’s fixed habitation and usual place of return; a person can have only one primary residence.
Inspection
The Department may request specialist review and evidence supporting primary residence and code compliance.

Eligibility & Zoning

Only one residential dwelling unit that qualifies as the applicant’s primary residence can be licensed.

  • Confirm the government boundary

    Verify that the property is governed by Denver, not a neighboring city or county authority.

    Required

  • Test the residency or occupancy rule

    The STR must be the applicant’s fixed habitation and usual place of return; a person can have only one primary residence.

    Required

  • Check zoning and private restrictions

    Only one residential dwelling unit that qualifies as the applicant’s primary residence can be licensed.

    Required

Denver Short-Term Rental License Overview

Build the application around proof that this is the applicant’s fixed habitation and usual place of return. Portal submission does not replace the primary-residence evidence Denver may request.

  1. Test the primary-residence facts

    Review where the applicant usually returns, legal records, work, vehicles, taxes, and rental frequency.

  2. Prepare possession and tax records

    Gather ownership or permission evidence and the Denver tax credentials.

  3. Submit the online license

    Complete the Denver portal application and answer all primary-residence questions accurately.

  4. Publish, operate, and renew

    Add the license number to listings and submit renewal before expiration.

Documents to Prepare

  • Government identification and primary-residence evidence

    Choose current records that collectively show the applicant’s identity and that the Denver dwelling is the fixed habitation and usual place of return.

    Required

  • Possession or owner permission records when the applicant does not own the unit

    A tenant or other non-owner applicant should retain the lease and the owner permission requested by Denver for lawful possession and hosting.

    Required

  • Denver tax-license information

    Use the Denver tax account associated with the same applicant and STR address; resolve mismatched legal names before filing.

    Required

  • Property, local-contact, and listing disclosures required in the portal

    Prepare the exact dwelling, contact, platform and listing facts requested in the current online application so each record can be reconciled.

    Required

Operating Rules After Approval

  • Operate only from the applicant’s one primary residence.

    Keep using the dwelling as the licensee’s one primary residence; moving the usual place of return can end license eligibility.

    Required

  • Publish the Denver license number and keep all portal information current.

    Place the active Denver license number on every listing and reconcile any address or platform mismatch before accepting a booking.

    Required

  • Maintain the tax license and submit renewal before expiration.

    Maintain the related tax license and submit a complete renewal before expiration; retain the timely filing confirmation during review.

    Required

  • Government approval does not override private restrictions

    Denver’s primary-residence license is personal to the applicant and dwelling. Owner permission may support a tenant application, but it does not replace the City license or excuse lease and building restrictions.

    Warning

Taxes, Renewal & Enforcement

Tax layer
Obtain the required Denver tax license and address Colorado and local lodging taxes.
Filing
File Denver and Colorado tax returns according to the booking channel and assigned schedules.
Renewal
Submit a complete renewal before expiration; a timely pending renewal can continue operating during review.
Deadline
A license is required for rentals of fewer than 29 nights; submit renewal before expiration.
Enforcement
False primary-residence claims or unlicensed operation can lead to denial, revocation, fines, or prosecution.

Detailed Short-Term Rental License Guide

Use the task page when you are ready to prepare and submit the Denver application.

Denver Short-Term Rental License

Before-you-apply checklist, documents, application sequence, verification, and post-approval work.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Allowed only in the host’s primary residence with a Denver short-term rental license.

Denver Short-Term Rental License. A license is required for rentals of fewer than 29 nights; submit renewal before expiration.

The STR must be the applicant’s fixed habitation and usual place of return; a person can have only one primary residence.

Obtain the required Denver tax license and address Colorado and local lodging taxes. File Denver and Colorado tax returns according to the booking channel and assigned schedules.