LicensedRental

Custer County, Colorado

Unincorporated Custer County, CO vacation rental requirements

Outside Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, a short-term rental needs a county permit approved by the Planning Commission and County Commissioners. The application needs a scaled plot plan of buildings, well, and septic, an access and parking plan, two fire extinguishers, and a fire evacuation plan posted in the home.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026

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County permit
Required, public review
Planning Commission and County Commissioners; conditions can be added.Source
Drawings
Plot plan and evacuation plan
Scaled plot plan or survey; access and parking plan; posted fire evacuation plan.Source
Extinguishers
Two certified

The application doesn’t list the fee. Ask Planning and Zoning for the current fee and whether new permits are being accepted.

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.

Custer 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.

Custer County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Prepare the plans

    Prepare a plot plan or survey to scale showing buildings, wells, septic, distances to property lines, and access; an access and traffic plan showing parking; and a fire evacuation plan to post in the rental.Source

  2. Gather permits and apply

    Include your well permit number, septic permit and bedroom count, proof of utilities, proof your lodging tax is current, how you’ll limit noise and smoke, and which platforms you list on. Submit at least 30 days before the meeting you want, with the fee by check.Source

    Custer County STR permit →

  3. Attend the hearings

    Commissioners or staff may visit the property, and you or your agent must attend. The Planning Commission and County Commissioners can approve, deny, or add conditions.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Custer County 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. Keep your lodging tax current; the county checks it.Source

Inspection checklist

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

  • Two certified fire extinguishers
  • Posted fire evacuation plan

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.