Garfield County, Colorado
Carbondale, CO vacation rental requirements
Carbondale licenses short-term rentals mainly for owners who live in the home at least 183 days a year; licenses for homes that aren’t a primary residence are limited to 50, with a waitlist. Every rental gets a town building inspection. Stays owe a 6% town STR tax plus the 2% lodging tax and sales taxes.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
The town page describes where non-primary licenses are allowed in two different ways (only in the Historic Commercial Core, and 50 licenses outside it). Ask the town which applies to your address.
Your licensing checklist
In order: the state, the county, then the town.
State of Colorado
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
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
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.
Garfield County, Colorado
Get a state sales tax license
Needed for any rental unless a platform covers all your taxes.Source
Then your town or area
Towns set their own rental licenses and collect their own taxes, and the county’s rules cover only areas outside town limits. Pick your area.
Town of Carbondale
Pick your license
If you live in the home at least 183 days a year, apply for a primary residence license with proof such as a driver’s license, voter registration, or tax return. Otherwise you need one of the 50 non-primary licenses; extra applicants go on a waitlist. Deed-restricted Community Housing units can’t be licensed, and a town license doesn’t override HOA covenants.Source
Apply online and pass the inspection
Apply through the town’s online licensing portal and name a local contact who answers 24/7 and can be there within 60 minutes. The Building Department then inspects in person with you or your manager present: egress windows in every bedroom, smoke and CO alarms, and fire extinguishers near the stove and outside.Source
Renew yearly
Licenses expire a year after they’re issued; renewals resubmit the same documents. Put the license number in every ad.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe state, Garfield County, and town sales taxes plus Carbondale’s 2% lodging tax and 6% STR 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. Even if you list on Airbnb or VRBO, file the town return every month; taxes the platform already paid are credited against what you owe.Source
Fees
$100 to $875 a year by bedrooms and license type
| Owner-occupied (per bedroom) | $100, $400 max |
|---|---|
| Non-owner-occupied (per bedroom) | $175, $875 max |
Inspection checklist
What the inspector looks for, from Town of Carbondale’s published checklist.
House rules for guests
Sources
- Sales & Use Tax Topics: Rooms & Accommodations · Colorado Department of Revenue
- Sales Tax Guide and Colorado Sales/Use Tax Rates (DR 1002) · Colorado Department of Revenue
- Short-Term Rentals (apply for a short-term rental license) · Town of Carbondale
- Colorado Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
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.