LicensedRental

Eagle County, Colorado

Vail, CO vacation rental requirements

Vail requires a short-term rental license ($260 a year, $50 in buildings with an on-site front desk) and a fire inspection every three years that checks for a posted egress plan. A local representative must respond within an hour (30 minutes overnight). Stays owe 9.4% sales tax plus a 1.4% marketing district lodging tax.

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 1,550 Airbnb listings
Town license
$260 a year
$50 in buildings with on-site 24/7 management. Expires February 28.Source
Fire inspection
At licensing and every three years
Checks the posted egress plan, alarms, extinguishers, and occupant load.Source
Local representative
Within 60 minutes, 24/7
Complaints resolved within 60 minutes, or 30 minutes from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.Source
Taxes
10.8%
9.4% sales (4.5% town) + 1.4% marketing district.Source

Fines are $1,500 for a first violation and $2,650 for a second within a year; a third brings a three-year suspension. Vail voters rejected a lodging tax increase in November 2025.

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.

Eagle County, Colorado

  1. Check your HOA or metro district

    Outside town limits, the county doesn’t license short-term rentals; Beaver Creek, Bachelor Gulch, Arrowhead, and other areas regulate through their HOAs and metro districts.Source

  2. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state and 1.5% Eagle County sales tax (plus a regional transportation tax in some areas), and outside towns the 4% county lodging 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. Voters raised the county lodging tax from 2% to 4% in November 2025; ask the state when the new rate starts.Source

  3. Then your town or area

    Each town licenses its own short-term rentals and collects its own taxes; outside town limits the county’s rules apply. Pick your area.

Town of Vail

  1. Apply before you advertise

    Apply at least 30 days before advertising and pay $260 ($50 with on-site management). Renew by January 31; licenses end February 28 or when the property sells.Source

    Vail short-term rentals →

  2. Pass the fire inspection

    The fire department inspects extinguishers, exits, the posted egress plan, smoke and CO detectors, occupant load, wiring and extension cords, portable heaters, and the posted address. Re-inspection can take up to 60 days.Source

  3. Post the signs

    Inside: license number, local representative, and address. Outside: a sign saying it’s a short-term rental, with the local representative and the town complaint hotline.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 10.8%: 2.9% state, 1.5% county, 0.5% RTA, 4.5% Vail sales tax, and the 1.4% Vail Local Marketing District lodging 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. Vail collects its own 4.5% sales tax; ask the town whether your platform collects it. File state and marketing district taxes through Revenue Online.Source

Fees

$260 a year

Short-term rental license$260
License in a building with on-site 24/7 management$50

Source

Inspection checklist

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

  • Posted egress plan
  • Smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguishers
  • Labeled electrical panel; no portable outdoor fireplaces

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.