Colorado county rules
Routt County, CO vacation rental rules and taxes
Routt County’s market is Steamboat Springs, with about 2,270 Airbnb listings. Outside towns, the county doesn’t allow rentals under a month without a special use permit or similar approval. Voters approved a 6% county lodging tax in November 2025, outside Steamboat Springs and Hayden.
Checked against official sources November 8, 2026What to do
Then your town or area
Each town licenses its own short-term rentals and collects its own taxes; outside town limits the county’s rules apply. Pick your area.
Towns
Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs requires a $350 yearly license. Zone A is open, Zone B has small caps, and Zone C allows no new whole-home rentals (hosted rentals are allowed everywhere). Applications include a parking and snow storage plan and a self-inspection affidavit. Stays owe 18.4% in taxes, including a voter-approved 9% STR tax, or 20.4% inside the marketing district.
Full guideUnincorporated Routt County
Outside towns, Routt County doesn’t allow rentals of less than a month unless the property is zoned commercial or the county has approved the use with a special or conditional use permit or a PUD (for example, a bed and breakfast or guest ranch). Rentals of a month or more are fine. A new 6% county lodging tax was approved in 2025.
Sources
- Colorado Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
- 6 mountain communities increase lodging taxes, 2 reject the tax hike (November 9, 2025) · The Gazette (Colorado Springs)
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 Spot something out of date?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.