LicensedRental

Arapahoe County, Colorado

Englewood, CO vacation rental requirements

Englewood allows short-term rentals only in an owner’s primary residence, lived in at least 185 days a year, in its residential zones. Up to 8 guests, a yearly in-person inspection, and a 3.8% city sales tax plus 2% lodger’s tax that Airbnb and Vrbo collect.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026

Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.

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Market
About 140 Airbnb listings
Primary residence
Required, 185 days a year
No corporate or REIT owners.Source
Guests
2 per bedroom + 2, up to 8
Inspection
Yearly, in person
City taxes
3.8% sales + 2% lodger’s
Airbnb, Vrbo, and Evolve collect.Source

The FAQ doesn’t give the short-term rental license fee; ask Community Development.

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.

Arapahoe 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 Englewood

  1. Check that you qualify

    The home must be your primary residence (at least 185 days a year, and the address on your tax return) in an R-1, R-2, or MU-R-3 zone. Apartments in rental complexes, PUDs, and industrial zones are out. You can have at most two rental contracts at once.Source

  2. Get a sales tax license and pass the inspection

    Get a $25 city sales and use tax license (renewed every two years), then pass the yearly in-person inspection of extinguishers, smoke and CO detectors, and exits before the license is issued.Source

    Englewood STR FAQ →

  3. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state, Arapahoe County and RTD taxes, Englewood’s 3.8% sales tax, and its 2% 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. If you rent only through Airbnb, Vrbo, or Evolve, they collect the city taxes; you still file a city return showing no tax due. Direct bookings: collect and remit yourself. Cleaning fees are taxable.Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from City of Englewood’s published checklist.

  • Yearly in-person inspectionFire extinguishers, CO and smoke detectors, exits.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.