LicensedRental

Larimer County, Colorado

Fort Collins, CO vacation rental requirements

Fort Collins licenses two kinds of short-term rentals: primary (your own home) and non-primary, each allowed only in mapped zones. The license costs $500 a year, needs off-street parking by bedroom count and a contact who can be there within four hours, and Airbnb collects the city’s sales and lodging taxes.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026

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Market
About 550 Airbnb listings
Ranked 22nd in Colorado (AirROI).Source
City license
$500 a year
Renew by June 30.Source
Where allowed
By zoning map
Some areas primary-residence only, some both, some none. No buildings of three or more units, no ADUs.Source
Parking
1 to 3 off-street spaces
By bedroom count; tandem spaces don’t count.Source
Local contact
On site within 4 hours

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.

Larimer 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.

City of Fort Collins

  1. Check the zoning map

    Find your address on the city’s STR zoning map to see whether a primary rental, a non-primary rental, or neither is allowed. Only the owner may operate, and only one party may rent at a time.Source

  2. Get a city sales and lodging tax license

    Get it before you apply (about 5 to 7 days). File returns on time even when no tax is due, or pay a $25 assessment.Source

  3. Apply online

    Apply in the Fort Collins online tax system with proof of ownership, proof of residence for a primary rental, proof of liability insurance, and photos of the rental space, and pay $500. Approval takes about 7 to 10 business days.Source

    Fort Collins short-term rentals →

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state, Larimer County sales tax, and Fort Collins’s own sales and lodging 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. Fort Collins is a home-rule city, but Airbnb and similar sites collect the city sales and lodging taxes for you. For direct bookings, collect and file them with the city.Source

Fees

$500 a year

Application$500
Annual renewal (by June 30)$500
Late tax return$25

Source

House rules for guests

Parking
1 space for 1-2 bedrooms, 2 for 3-4, 3 for 5-6
Source
Posted
Printed license in the rental
License number on every listing.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.