Denver licenses short-term rentals only in the host's primary residence, so second homes and investment properties do not qualify. The license lasts one year and costs $100 a year plus a $50 application fee. Licensees pay Denver's 10.75% lodger's tax, and the city says fines can reach $999 per incident.
Facts
| Field | Value | Stated by |
|---|---|---|
| Place | Denver | - |
| State | CO | - |
| Jurisdiction type | consolidated city-county (City and County of Denver) | - |
| Permit required | Yes | Source 1 |
| Permit name | Short-term rental license | - |
| Permit fee (USD) | $100 | Source 2 |
| Fee notes | $100 annual license fee; a separate $50 application fee is also assessed. | - |
| Renewal period | annual | Source 2 |
| Non-owner-occupied rental allowed | No | Source 1 |
| Caps and zoning limits | A license is available only at the host's primary residence, and a person can have only one primary residence. Property owners and long-term renters can apply; renters need the property owner's permission. Short-term rentals are allowed as an accessory use wherever residential uses are allowed. | Source 2 |
| Annual night cap | unknown | - |
| Local lodging tax | 10.75% | Source 2 |
| State lodging tax | unknown | - |
| Platform collects tax | unknown | - |
| Tax notes | Licensees pay Denver lodger's tax of 10.75%. No state page was read. | - |
| Penalties | Fines can be up to $999 per incident. | Source 2 |
| Fields not confirmed | Annual night cap; State lodging tax; Platform collects tax | - |
| Last checked | 2026-10-07 | - |
| Dataset row id | denver-co | - |
"unknown" means the value was not found on the official pages read on the check date, not that no such rule exists. "Stated by" points to the numbered source below.
Sources
- City and County of Denver Business Licensing: Short-term rentals. Published on www.denvergov.org. Address: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Business-Licensing/Business-licenses/Short-term-rentals
- City and County of Denver: Short-term rental frequently asked questions. Published on www.denvergov.org. Address: https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Business-Licensing/Business-licenses/Short-term-rentals/Short-term-rental-FAQ
At most one official page per place is linked; every other source is cited as text with its full address.
Sources last checked: 2026-10-07