A Denver Short-Term Rental Starts with Your Primary Residence

From the first listing to the annual renewal, Denver’s rules connect the property, the person applying, and the way the rental operates.

A short-term rental must be a residential dwelling unit that serves as the applicant’s primary residence. The applicant must be an individual; an entity or company cannot apply. Long-term renters may also apply if they have the owner’s permission and meet the possession requirements.

An accessory dwelling unit may be used as a short-term rental only by the resident of the primary structure, and it remains subject to zoning requirements and private restrictions. Only one booking party may occupy the dwelling at a time. Mobile homes, RVs, and travel trailers do not qualify.

Before applying, confirm that the property is within Denver. Review its zoning, legal dwelling or ADU status, permit history, and landmark and floodplain status. Confirm that the applicant is a natural person, gather documentation establishing primary residence, and review the deed, lease, HOA or condominium declarations, insurance, and lender restrictions.

Before advertising or accepting a booking, first obtain a Denver lodger’s-tax account, followed by an annual short-term rental business license. Every advertisement must display the Denver business-license number.

The application fee is $50, and the license fee is $100. The total state and local lodging tax range is 14.75%–15.75%.

Operators must designate a responsible party located in Denver and keep that person’s contact information current. They must also maintain at least $1 million in liability coverage.

The rental must have smoke alarms, carbon-monoxide alarms, and a fire extinguisher. The license and emergency information must be posted as directed. Short-term rentals must also comply with all ordinary zoning, noise, trash, parking, building, fire, and nuisance rules.

Prepare the safety file, designate the local contact, and check that advertisements meet the requirements. Along with obtaining the tax account and license, these are part of preparing to operate.

Denver’s license is annual and nontransferable. The current renewal page allows renewal 90 days before expiration. Current web instructions also state that material information changes generally must be updated within 72 hours.

Add the annual renewal to your calendar and reconcile platform and direct-booking returns.

Violations can result in penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, per day.