Short-term rental rules
Running an Airbnb in Denver, Colorado
Denver only permits short-term rentals in a host's primary residence, requiring an STR licence, a lodger's tax ID and documented proof of primary residence. Guests pay the city lodger's tax plus the state sales tax on lodging.
The rules
Every field, with its source
Anything not confirmed on an official source shows as Verify with jurisdiction rather than a guess.
An STR unit must be the licensee's primary residence; a person may have only one primary residence.
SourceNo night cap; instead limited to the host's primary residence.
Denver Excise and Licenses issues STR licences online; exact URL not confirmed in research.
Check eligibility
Can you run each type of STR in Denver?
A deterministic read of the cited rules for each common use type. When a governing rule is unknown, the verdict says so rather than guessing.
My primary residence (home-share)
Allowed with a permitShort-term rentals are allowed in Denver once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.
- A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
- Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
- This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
- Primary residence must be documented by at least two of: vehicle registration, driver's licence, state ID, voter registration, tax documents or a utility bill.
Confidence: high. You live there and rent it while away or rent a room.
A whole second home / investment property
RestrictedIn Denver, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.
- A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
- Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
- This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
- Primary residence must be documented by at least two of: vehicle registration, driver's licence, state ID, voter registration, tax documents or a utility bill.
Confidence: high. A dedicated STR that is not your primary residence.
An ADU, basement or garage unit
Allowed with a permitShort-term rentals are allowed in Denver once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.
- A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
- Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
- This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
- Primary residence must be documented by at least two of: vehicle registration, driver's licence, state ID, voter registration, tax documents or a utility bill.
Confidence: high. An accessory dwelling on your property.
Unhosted, whole-unit, no owner on site
RestrictedIn Denver, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.
- A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
- Your permit or registration number must appear on the listing itself.
- This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
- Primary residence must be documented by at least two of: vehicle registration, driver's licence, state ID, voter registration, tax documents or a utility bill.
Confidence: high. The strictest category in most cities.
LodgeDeck reports publicly available short-term rental rules and lodging tax rates and cites the source of each field. It is not legal or tax advice and it does not replace your own review. Ordinances and tax rates change often and automated collection can lag, so every field shows the source it came from and a confidence flag, and unconfirmed values are marked Unverified. Confirm with the jurisdiction before you rely on a rule or rate.
FAQ
Common questions about Denver
Do I need a licence to run an Airbnb in Denver?
Yes. Denver requires a short-term rental licence or registration before you list. Every STR needs a short-term rental licence and a lodger's tax ID.
Does a short-term rental have to be my primary residence in Denver?
Yes. Denver ties short-term rentals to a primary residence, so non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred. An STR unit must be the licensee's primary residence; a person may have only one primary residence.
Is there a night cap on short-term rentals in Denver?
No annual night cap is confirmed for Denver in our data. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Do I have to show my permit number on the listing in Denver?
Yes. Denver requires a valid permit or registration number to appear on the listing itself. The licence number is required to be displayed on listings.
What lodging tax will my guest pay in Denver?
A guest pays roughly 14.75 percent combined lodging tax in Denver. See the full lodging-tax breakdown for the state and local components.
Track Denver for rule changes
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