Arapahoe County, Colorado
Aurora, CO vacation rental requirements
Aurora treats short-term rentals as lodging: you need a city lodger’s tax license and may need a business license. Stays pay Aurora’s 8% lodger’s tax, about 12.25% to 13% in all, filed monthly with the city. We didn’t confirm Aurora’s zoning rules for rentals.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
Aurora spans Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties; the city rules are the same in all three. We couldn’t read the city’s short-term rental FAQ, which covers zoning. Ask the city before you list.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Colorado
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
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
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.
Arapahoe County, Colorado
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 Aurora
Get a city lodger’s tax license
Advertising a stay under 30 days counts as providing lodging in Aurora. Get a City Lodger’s Tax License, and ask Tax and Licensing whether you also need a business license.Source
File monthly
Collect the tax on the full price charged and file by the 20th of the following month.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state, 1% RTD, 0.1% cultural district, the county rate (0.25% to 1%), and Aurora’s 8% lodger’s tax. Airbnb and other platforms collect the state and state-administered taxes on their bookings; for direct bookings, file with the Colorado Department of Revenue. Aurora is a home-rule city and collects its own lodger’s tax; ask the city whether your platform collects it for you.Source
Sources
- Sales & Use Tax Topics: Rooms & Accommodations · Colorado Department of Revenue
- Sales Tax Guide and Colorado Sales/Use Tax Rates (DR 1002) · Colorado Department of Revenue
- Lodger’s Tax · City of Aurora Tax and Licensing
- Colorado Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
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.