LicensedRental

Custer County, Colorado

Westcliffe, CO vacation rental requirements

Westcliffe licenses short-term rentals for two years at a time ($200, then $150), with a fire department inspection, a self-compliance affidavit with an exit map or floor plan, and up to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2.

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 85 Airbnb listings
License
$200 for two years
$150 to renew; plus a $40 yearly business license.Source
Inspection
Wet Mountain Fire Department
Guests
2 per bedroom + 2
Drawings
Exit map or floor plan

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.

Town of Westcliffe

  1. Get your tax accounts

    Register for a Colorado sales tax license and lodging tax account with the Department of Revenue, and get the town’s $40 yearly business license.Source

  2. Self-certify and book the fire inspection

    Sign the self-compliance affidavit (dated within 60 days of applying), including a map or floor plan of emergency exits, and schedule a Wet Mountain Fire Department inspection.Source

  3. Apply and post the required information

    Apply with the $200 fee. Post the address, license number, local agent, and owner contact inside, and put the license number in every listing. Renew every two years for $150.Source

    Westcliffe STR application →

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Custer County and town 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. Westcliffe’s taxes are state-collected, so platforms collect them.Source

Fees

$200 for two years, then $150, plus $40 a year

New STR license (two years)$200
Renewal (two years)$150
Town business license (yearly)$25 late fee after February 15.$40

Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from Town of Westcliffe’s published checklist.

  • Smoke alarmsOutside each sleeping area, in each bedroom, and on every level.Source
  • Carbon monoxide alarmsWithin 20 feet of sleeping areas.Source
  • Fire extinguishersWithin 30 feet of the kitchen, on each level, and in the garage.Source
  • Exit map or floor plan
  • Address numbers at least 4 inches tall

House rules for guests

Guests
2 per bedroom + 2
Source
Parking
On site, or on the street in front where allowed
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.