Grand County, Colorado
Grand Lake, CO vacation rental requirements
Grand Lake requires a yearly nightly rental license priced by guest count ($700 to $2,000, plus $165 the first time), a yearly fire inspection from Grand Lake Fire, and a site plan showing parking, snow storage, and trash. A local emergency contact must live within 45 minutes. Violations cost $1,500 each.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
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.
Grand County, Colorado
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 Grand Lake
Book the fire inspection
Schedule Grand Lake Fire’s fire and life safety inspection online ($150 for a studio or one-bedroom, $250 for two or three bedrooms, $350 for four or more). Clear snow first. You’ll need the passed report, not the invoice, every year before you apply or renew.Source
Draw the site plan
Show the building layout, pedestrian and vehicle entries and exits, each parking space, snow storage equal to a third of the parking and driveway area, the number of trash cans, and your trash company. A hand drawing or marked-up map screenshot is fine.Source
Apply in MUNIRevs
Apply with the inspection report, site plan, proof of insurance, HOA approval if needed, your manager’s contact details, and a local emergency contact who lives within a 45-minute drive. Pay the $165 application fee and the yearly fee for your occupancy. Neighbors within 100 feet get notice once the license is issued.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state and 1.3% county sales tax plus the county lodging tax and Grand Lake’s town 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. The town says nightly rental taxes are administered through the Colorado Department of Revenue; ask the town for its rates.Source
Fees
$865 to $2,165 the first year, plus the fire inspection
| Application (first license only) | $165 |
|---|---|
| Yearly license, 1-3 guests | $700 |
| Yearly license, 4-6 guests | $900 |
| Yearly license, 7-10 guests | $1,100 |
| Yearly license, 11+ guests | $2,000 |
| Grand Lake Fire inspection (yearly) | $150 to $350 by bedrooms |
Inspection checklist
What the inspector looks for, from Town of Grand Lake’s published checklist.
- Grand Lake Fire inspectionExits and egress, occupant load, open flames, wiring, alarms, key boxes, and fire truck access, among 29 fire code areas.Source
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 Rental Fire and Life Safety Inspection · Grand Lake Fire Protection District
- Nightly Rental Licenses · Town of Grand Lake
- 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.