Jefferson County, Colorado
Lakewood, CO vacation rental requirements
Lakewood licenses short-term rentals only in the owner’s primary residence, for $150 and then $75 a year. You need a certified home inspection, a floor plan of the whole house, $500,000 insurance, and certified-mail notice to your neighbors.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
FHA loans don’t allow rentals shorter than 30 days; check your mortgage.
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 Lakewood
Get the home inspected
Hire an ASHI, InterNACHI, or Certified Master Inspector to inspect the home and sign the city’s Home Inspection Form within 30 days of your application.Source
Draw the floor plan and notify neighbors
Draw a floor plan of the whole house, labeling the rental areas and how many rooms you’ll rent. Send the Community Notice Form to every abutting property by certified mail.Source
Apply online
Upload proof of primary residence and the notarized ownership and compliance affidavits, the recorded deed, proof of $500,000 liability insurance with a short-term rental endorsement, any HOA rules showing rentals are allowed, and your city sales tax license or proof your platform collects it. Pay $150.Source
Renew yearly
Upload the renewal cover sheet, residence proof, current insurance, and a listing showing your license number, and pay $75.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Jefferson County, RTD, and Lakewood 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. Lakewood is a home-rule city; if your platform doesn’t collect city sales tax for you, get a city sales and use tax license and file with the city.Source
Fees
$150, then $75 a year
| New license | $150 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | $75 |
Inspection checklist
What the inspector looks for, from City of Lakewood’s published checklist.
- Third-party home inspectionSigned Home Inspection Form from a certified inspector.Source
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 License Applications · City of Lakewood City Clerk’s Office
- 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.