Summit County, Colorado
Silverthorne, CO vacation rental requirements
Silverthorne licenses short-term rentals for $150 to $500 a year by bedroom count and caps them at 10% of homes in most neighborhoods (50% in the town core). Owners sign a notarized self-inspection affidavit and post an emergency egress plan and parking plan in the unit. Stays owe 16.375% in taxes; Airbnb and Vrbo handle the town taxes.
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.
Summit County, Colorado
Get a state sales tax license
You need a Colorado sales tax license for stays under 30 days unless a platform collects everything for you. The state, county, transit, and housing taxes are filed with the Department of Revenue.Source
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.
Town of Silverthorne
Check your area
Look up your address on the town’s area map. Most neighborhoods are capped at 10% of units, the Town Core and Riverfront at 50%, and deed-restricted properties can’t be rented short-term.Source
Apply with the notarized affidavit
Submit the application, a notarized self-compliance affidavit, the responsible agent form, the signed Good Neighbor Guidelines, and the fee.Source
Post the plans and notices
Post the address, license, contacts, where the fire extinguishers are, an emergency egress plan, the parking plan, trash rules, and fire restrictions.Source
Taxes on each stay
Stays under 30 days owe 16.375%: 6.375% state, county, transit, and housing, plus Silverthorne’s 2% sales and 8% 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. If you list only on Airbnb or Vrbo, they handle the town taxes. Otherwise file monthly sales and lodging returns with the town.Source
Fees
$150 to $500 a year
| Studio | $150 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $200 |
| 2 bedrooms | $250 |
| 3 bedrooms | $300 |
| 4 bedrooms | $350 |
| 5 bedrooms | $450 |
| 6 or more bedrooms | $500 |
Inspection checklist
What the inspector looks for, from Town of Silverthorne’s published checklist.
- Smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguishers
- Fireplaces cleaned yearly; electrical panel labeled
- Notarized self-compliance affidavit
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
- Short-Term Rental Licenses · Town of Silverthorne
- 2025 Short-Term Rental Licensing Guide · Town of Silverthorne
- 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.