LicensedRental

Boulder County, Colorado

Unincorporated Boulder County, CO vacation rental requirements

Outside town limits, Boulder County licenses short-term rentals in the owner’s primary residence ($350, then $250 to renew), and whole-home vacation rentals only in its Forestry and Mountain Institutional zones, capped at 277 licenses. Applications need a floor plan marking exits and alarms, a property map with parking, $500,000 insurance, and a local manager who can arrive within an hour.

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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Short-term rental license
$350, renew for $250
Owner’s primary residence (lives there more than six months a year); up to 45 nights a year while you’re away.Source
Vacation rental license
$500, renew for $300
Whole home, one party; Forestry and Mountain Institutional zones only; 277 licenses total. Not allowed on the plains.Source
Drawings
Floor plan and property map
Floor plan shows rented bedrooms, egress, and alarms; map shows boundaries, access, and parking.Source
Local manager
In person within 1 hour
Parking
2 on-site spaces

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.

Boulder 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.

Boulder County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Pick the license type

    A short-term rental license is for your primary residence, where you live more than six months a year; you can rent up to 45 nights a year while away. A vacation rental license covers whole-home rentals and is only available in the Forestry and Mountain Institutional zones, mostly in the western mountains, under a 277-license cap. Neither is allowed on the plains around Boulder, Longmont, and Lyons.Source

  2. Prepare the floor plan and property map

    Draw a floor plan labeling the bedrooms you’ll rent, egress windows and doors, and where the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and extinguishers are. Add a map of the property showing its boundaries, access, and all parking (an aerial from the Assessor’s site works as a base).Source

  3. Gather the rest and apply

    Include your Colorado ID and residence affidavit, the deed, proof of $500,000 liability insurance covering rentals, property tax receipts, water and sewer or septic proof, a Building Lot Determination, and your sales tax license (or proof platforms remit). West of US 36 you also need a Wildfire Partners assessment from the past six years.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Boulder County, RTD, and district sales 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. Platforms collect these state-administered taxes.Source

Fees

$350 or $500 to start; $250 or $300 to renew

Short-term rental license (new)$350
Short-term rental license (renewal)If no confirmed violations or unpermitted work in the term.$250
Vacation rental license (new)$500
Vacation rental license (renewal)$300

Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from Boulder County (unincorporated areas)’s published checklist.

  • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, extinguishers, egressMarked on the floor plan (Licensing Ordinance 5.2.a).Source
  • Wildfire Partners assessmentWildfire Zone 1, west of US 36.Source

House rules for guests

Bookings
One party at a time
Source
Local manager
In person within 1 hour
A second manager if you rent while away.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.