LicensedRental

Adams County, Colorado

Thornton, CO vacation rental requirements

Thornton requires a short-term rental license and a business license, and you must collect and remit the city’s lodging tax. We didn’t find the fees or standards on the city’s pages.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026

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City license
Required
Plus a business license.Source
Lodging tax
Remit to the city

The city’s short-term rental fees, occupancy, and parking rules weren’t on the page we read. Ask Thornton Code Compliance.

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

State of Colorado

  1. Get a state sales tax license

    If you rent rooms or a home for stays under 30 days, Colorado requires a sales tax license from the Department of Revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect the state and state-administered taxes on their bookings; you file for anything booked directly.Source

    MyBiz Colorado →

  2. Check for home-rule city taxes

    Many cities and mountain towns collect their own sales and lodging taxes. Platforms aren’t required by the state to collect these, so you may need a separate city tax license and returns.Source

  3. Get your county or city rental license

    Most Colorado mountain counties and towns, and Denver, require a short-term rental license or permit, often with an inspection, an occupancy limit, posted information, and a local responder. Pick your area for the rules.

Adams County, Colorado

  1. Then your town or area

    Cities and towns make their own rental rules inside their limits; the county’s rules apply only outside them. Pick your area.

City of Thornton

  1. Get both licenses

    Get a Thornton short-term rental license (City Code 18-54 and 18-174) and a city business license before you rent.Source

  2. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state, Adams County and RTD taxes, and Thornton city sales and lodging taxes. Airbnb and other platforms collect the state and state-administered taxes on their bookings; for direct bookings, file with the Colorado Department of Revenue. Thornton is home-rule; collect and remit the city lodging tax yourself unless the city confirms your platform does.Source

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.