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Denver Short-Term Rental Laws

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

Allowed only in the host’s primary residence with a Denver short-term rental license. Updated July 23, 2026

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.
Sources:[1][2]

Eligibility & Zoning

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

  • Confirm the government boundary

    Required

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

  • Test the residency or occupancy rule

    Required

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

  • Check zoning and private restrictions

    Required

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

Sources:[1][2]

Too many forms and requirements?

Let Pine organize the Denver permit checklist around this property.

You’ll continue in Pine to review the checklist and add property details. Final government submissions remain under your control.

Denver Short-Term Rental License Overview

Review the high-level stages here, then use the dedicated application guide for the complete submission sequence and annotated screenshots.

  1. 1

    Test the primary-residence facts

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

  2. 2

    Prepare possession and tax records

    Gather ownership or permission evidence and the Denver tax credentials.

  3. 3

    Submit the online license

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

  4. 4

    Publish, operate, and renew

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

Denver Permitting and Licensing Center

Official government page

Official Denver information and application entry point.

Sources:[1][2]

Documents to Prepare

  • Government identification and primary-residence evidence

    Required

    Use the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.

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

    Required

    Use the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.

  • Denver tax-license information

    Required

    Use the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.

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

    Required

    Use the current form, file format, and document date requested by the issuing authority.

Sources:[1][2]

Operating Rules After Approval

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

    Required

    Keep evidence in the property compliance record and update it when the government account changes.

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

    Required

    Keep evidence in the property compliance record and update it when the government account changes.

  • Maintain the tax license and submit renewal before expiration.

    Required

    Keep evidence in the property compliance record and update it when the government account changes.

Government approval does not override private restrictions

A license or registration does not cancel a lease, HOA, condominium, mortgage, or insurance restriction.

Sources:[1][2]

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.
Sources:[1][2]

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

Step-by-step guide

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

Sources:[1][2]

Your Denver STR Action Plan

Keep the jurisdiction, approval, documents, tax, operating, and renewal work in one property record.

  • Confirm eligibility before paying

    Required

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

  • Prepare the government application

    Required

    Organize every document needed for the Denver Short-Term Rental License.

  • Track operating and renewal proof

    Required

    Submit a complete renewal before expiration; a timely pending renewal can continue operating during review.

Build a Denver STR checklist

Enter the property address and Pine will organize the Denver eligibility, application, tax, document, and renewal work.

You’ll continue in Pine to review the checklist and add property details. Final government submissions remain under your control.

Sources:[1][2]

Sources

Review the official Colorado and Denver sources used for every rule and step in this guide.

  1. 1
    Sales and Use Tax Topics: Rooms and Accommodations

    Colorado Department of Revenue

    State and state-administered lodging tax, licensing, marketplace, local district, and permanent-resident guidance.

  2. 2
    Short-Term Rentals

    City and County of Denver Business Licensing

    Denver primary-residence rule, license scope, application and renewal links, processing, and enforcement resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are short-term rentals legal in Denver?

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

Sources:[1][2]
What approval is required in Denver?

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

Sources:[1][2]
Is a primary residence required in Denver?

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

Sources:[1][2]
Does a platform collect every Denver tax?

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.

Sources:[1][2]

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Regulations and agency procedures can change. Confirm the current requirement with the linked government office before operating or submitting an application.