LicensedRental

Mesa County, Colorado

Fruita, CO vacation rental requirements

Fruita requires a short-term rental permit (renewed each year by December 1) and a $30 city business license. Downtown is capped at 65 rentals, most newer neighborhoods have HOAs that bar them, and permitted rentals must be rented at least 45 days a year. Stays owe 8.27% sales tax plus a 6% city lodging tax.

Checked against official sources November 8, 2026

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Market
About 155 Airbnb listings
City permit
Yearly, through CloudPermit
Plus a $30 business license.Source
Cap
65 in the downtown triangle
Ottley Avenue, Highway 6 & 50, and Pine Street.Source
Minimum use
Rent at least 45 days a year
Or lose your renewal.Source
Taxes
8.27% sales + 6% city lodging tax

Renting without a permit can bring fines up to $1,000 a day. The city page doesn’t list occupancy, parking, or safety rules; see Fruita code Section 17.09.100 or ask the city.

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.

Mesa County, Colorado

  1. Get a state sales tax license

    Needed for any rental unless a platform covers all your taxes.Source

  2. Then your town or area

    Towns set their own rental licenses and collect their own taxes, and the county’s rules cover only areas outside town limits. Pick your area.

City of Fruita

  1. Check your location and HOA

    Downtown (the triangle bounded by Ottley Avenue, Highway 6 & 50, and Pine Street) allows 65 rentals. Most newer neighborhoods outside it are run by HOAs that generally don’t allow short-term rentals; if yours does, follow its rules and fees.Source

  2. Apply for the permit and business license

    Create a CloudPermit account and apply under Licensing, naming a local point of contact. Get a city business license ($30 a year) from the City Clerk. Both end when the home sells.Source

    Fruita short-term rentals →

  3. Renew every fall

    Update your information in November and renew the permit by December 1; business license renewals are due January 2. Rent at least 45 days a year to stay eligible.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 30 days owe 8.27% sales tax plus Fruita’s 6% lodging tax. Airbnb and other platforms collect the state and state-administered taxes on their bookings; for direct bookings, file with the Colorado Department of Revenue. Pay the city lodging tax directly to the City of Fruita by the 20th of each month (you keep 3⅓% as a collection fee). The city page doesn’t say whether Airbnb collects it.Source

Fees

$30 business license plus the permit application fee

City business license (yearly)$30
STR permit applicationAsk Community Development.Not stated

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.