Short-Term Rentals in Arvada, CO

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Arvada, Colorado, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Arvada requires both an STR permit and a city business license under Land Development Code 3-1-5-3 (Ord. 4917, eff. May 1, 2026). Permits issue only to a natural person 18+ with 20% or more ownership interest, one permit per lot, with detailed application and renewal requirements.

Key details: Permits Required: STR permit + business license. Code Citation: LDC 3-1-5-3; Ord. 4917. Effective Date: May 1, 2026. Permits Per Lot: One (primary OR ADU). Eligible Permittee: Natural person 18+, 20%+ ownership.

Operating without a current STR permit and business license, or holding more than one permit per lot, can trigger denial, suspension, or revocation under LDC 3-1-5-3, plus code-enforcement summonses and city-business-license penalties.

This is one of the stricter rules in Arvada's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Night Caps

Arvada caps STR occupancy at 240 days per calendar year per permitted property under LDC 3-1-5-3 (Ord. 4917). Stays must be 2 to 29 consecutive nights, and the day-count is verified at renewal using guest-occupancy data submitted to the city.

Key details: Annual Day Cap: 240 days per calendar year. Minimum Stay: 2 consecutive nights. Maximum Stay: 29 consecutive nights. Code Citation: LDC 3-1-5-3; Ord. 4917. Renewal Reporting: Days-rented data required.

Exceeding 240 rental days in a calendar year, or accepting stays shorter than 2 nights or 30+ nights as STRs, can result in permit suspension, revocation, denial of renewal, and code-enforcement penalties under LDC 3-1-5-3.

This is one of the stricter rules in Arvada's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Arvada is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Arvada, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Arvada's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.