October 2024
Disclaimer. This page is intended solely to assist you in understanding the regulations you may need to comply with. The information provided here is not exhaustive and may not reflect the most current legal standards. It is your responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws. For further guidance, please contact your local tax authorities or consult with a qualified legal or tax professional.
The City of Denver has enacted the Short-Term Rental Ordinance to regulate and license short-term rental use of lodgings. We invite you to read it carefully, along with the rules and regulations complementing the Ordinance - you can find all applicable regulations here.
For any further questions on short-term rental rules and regulations, please check this official portal on Denver’s website. You may also contact Denver’s Department of Licenses at licenses@denvergov.org.
Applicable taxes
Please note misterb&b registered with State and local tax authorities to collect the following taxes on your behalf, for stays not exceeding 29 consecutive days. For more information, check our FAQ about US sales/occupancy tax collection by misterb&b.
You remain responsible for registering for, collecting and/or remitting any other taxes applicable to your hosting activity, including the Occupational Privilege tax. For more information, you can read this document on STR taxation in Denver.
Zoning and use limitations
In Denver, a short-term rental (STR) is any dwelling unit operated as lodging accommodations to Guests for stays of 29 consecutive nights or fewer. It explicitly excludes B&B, hotels and other professional establishments, which are submitted to their own regulations.
- Primary residence. You can only operate an STR in the property you use as your primary residence. Primary residence is defined as “the person's usual place of return”.
- Zoning restrictions. Consult Section 11.8.10 of the Denver Zoning Code to check zoning restrictions for short-term rentals.
- Use restrictions. Only one rental contract (meaning, booking) is permitted at any time in a STR.
STR License
You must obtain a license to operate a STR. No license is required for lodgings exceeding 29 consecutive days.
- Licensing process. The license application can be completed online here. As a prerequisite, applicants must obtain a Lodger’s Tax ID (via eBiz Tax). Additional documentation may be required - e.g. providing a signed Possession of Property Certificate if you are not the owner of the property. For detailed information about the license procedure, check this page. You may also find helpful this Short-Term Rental Online Application Guide and these how-to videos.
- Renewal. Business licenses expire annually. The renewal application must be filed online before a license expires.
You must add the STR license number to your misterb&b listing(s) (go to the “Local Requirements” page, via “Edit my listing”). In the absence of a valid STR license number, misterb&b may delete your listing.
Lodging facility license
You may operate a Lodging Facility, if you rent out a property (which is not your primary residence) having 4 rooms or more.
- License. To run a Lodging Facility, you must obtain the specific license. More detailed information on the Lodging Facility license here.
- Eligibility requirements. You may need to meet eligibility requirements, such as a change of building occupancy classification and/or a change of zoning use.
Operational compliance
You must operate your STR in compliance with all City and State laws. Applicable laws and regulations include, without limitation, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety standards and requirements. Check the Denver Building and Fire Code.
- Insurance. You must maintain liability insurance for at least $1,000,000 (you should inform your insurance company of your intent to use the property as a STR).
- Fire and safety. All STR must have an operable smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher.
- Guest information. You must provide your Guests with the following brochure (official template here) upon arrival - containing emergency contact and relevant rules and restrictions to respect.
- Records keeping. You must keep records, for each booking, the dates and total number of night during which the Guest(s) stayed at your property, for one year.
Third-party rules
- Community rules. You must abide by other contracts or rules binding you, such as co-op rules, CC&Rs, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations.
- Lease contract. If you are a renter, you must get the written permission from your landlord to use the property as a STR.