Rio Grande County, Colorado
South Fork, CO vacation rental requirements
South Fork charges $1,500 a year per short-term rental, covering the business license and a yearly town life-safety inspection, and caps rentals in most of its 12 neighborhood divisions. Occupancy is one guest per 200 square feet, no street parking, and a representative living in or next to Rio Grande County.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.
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.
Rio Grande 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.
Town of South Fork
Check your division
Find your subdivision on the town’s STR zoning map. Three divisions have no cap; the rest are capped between 1% and 21% of homes, with a waiting list. There must be a permanent dwelling on the lot.Source
Apply and pay
Apply online or on paper and pay $1,500 ($750 after October 1). The town records your STR Permit Agreement once everything is met; it can’t be transferred.Source
Schedule the life-safety inspection
The town inspects every year for extinguishers, smoke and CO alarms, and egress or escape ladders. Send proof within 60 days after January 1 and fix problems within 30 days.Source
Post the house information
Post the maximum occupancy (one per 200 gross square feet) and your representative’s contact, who must live in Rio Grande or an adjacent county and be on call during stays. No on-street parking.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 2.9% state plus Rio Grande County, town, lodging, and marketing district 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. The town requires you to collect and remit each of these; platforms collect the state-administered ones.Source
Fees
$1,500 a year
| New application or yearly renewalCovers the business license and life-safety inspection. | $1,500 |
|---|---|
| New application after October 1 | $750 |
| Violation | Up to $2,650 a day |
Inspection checklist
What the inspector looks for, from Town of South Fork’s published checklist.
- Fire extinguishers, smoke and CO alarms
- Egress, fire escape, or ladder
- Posted maximum occupancy
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
- Land Use (short-term rentals) · Town of South Fork
- 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.