LicensedRental

Jefferson County, Colorado

Unincorporated Jefferson County, CO vacation rental requirements

Unincorporated Jefferson County, including Evergreen and Conifer, requires a yearly short-term rental license under rules adopted in December 2025. Rentals must be 750 feet apart, a local representative must be within 30 minutes, and the application needs a floor plan plus site plans for parking and trash, a fire district statement, and septic proof.

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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County license
Required, renewed yearly
Fee set by the county commissioners.Source
Spacing
750 feet between rentals
Local representative
Within 30 minutes, 24/7
Drawings
Floor plan, parking and trash site plans
Insurance
$500,000 per incident

Bailey and other homes in Park County are not in Jefferson County, even with a Conifer or Pine address nearby.

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.

Jefferson County, Colorado

  1. 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.

Jefferson County (unincorporated areas)

  1. Check spacing and gather approvals

    Make sure no licensed rental is within 750 feet (see the county’s rental map). Get a statement from your fire district dated December 16, 2025 or later, a Defensible Space permit if you’re in the wildfire overlay, a septic use permit with an inspection in the past 90 days if you’re on septic, and notify your HOA or special district.Source

  2. Draw the plans

    Prepare a floor plan showing the rental area (no sleeping outside bedrooms), a site plan showing the required parking spaces, and a site plan with a written plan for trash storage and removal.Source

  3. Apply in the Citizen Portal

    Upload the plans, proof of ownership, water and sewer proof, access proof if you’re not on a county road, primary residence proof if it applies, and the signed affidavit. Pay the fee once the license is approved, then send your local representative’s contact to neighbors within 7 days.Source

    Jefferson County short-term rentals →

  4. Renew yearly

    Send the renewal at least 30 days before the license expires, with the same documents.Source

  5. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Jefferson County, RTD, and district 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. Platforms collect these state-administered taxes.Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from Jefferson County (unincorporated areas)’s published checklist.

  • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (UL listed)Attested in the affidavit.Source
  • Fire extinguisherAt least one 5 lb ABC, easy to reach.Source
  • No wood, pellet, or charcoal firesGas fire features need shut-off timers.Source
  • Bear-resistant trash cansIn mountain areas.Source

House rules for guests

Local representative
Within 30 minutes
Available 24 hours, with a key and authority to act.Source

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.