Jefferson County, Colorado
Golden, CO vacation rental requirements
Golden, one of Colorado’s top-earning rental markets per listing, allows short-term rentals only in the owner’s primary residence, lived in at least ten months a year, with one per lot and up to four adults plus dependents. Licenses last two years.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
Fines are $150, $300, then $1,000 for repeat violations. These rules come from a third-party copy of the city code; confirm fees with the city.
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.
Jefferson County, Colorado
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.
City of Golden
Check that you qualify
You must live in the rental or on the same lot at least ten months a year, shown by two documents such as your driver’s license and voter registration. Only one unit per lot, ADUs included, can be licensed.Source
Apply for the license
Apply with your sales and use tax license, proof of fire, hazard, and liability insurance, and where guests will park (off-street parking must meet code). Have a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, and fire extinguisher in place; the city may inspect.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Jefferson County, RTD, and Golden city 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. Golden is a home-rule city and requires a city sales and use tax license for each rental; ask the city whether your platform collects city tax.Source
Inspection checklist
What the inspector looks for, from City of Golden’s published checklist.
- Smoke alarm, CO alarm, fire extinguisherIn each unit; the city may inspect.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
- Golden Municipal Code Chapter 18.22, Temporary Lodging (copy) · Zoneomics (copy of the Golden code)
- 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.