Occupancy Limits: Colorado Springs vs Manitou Springs
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Colorado Springs, CO and Manitou Springs, CO?
Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs have similar restriction levels.
Colorado Springs, CO
El Paso County
Colorado Springs limits short-term rental occupancy to two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons, with an absolute cap of ten overnight guests regardless of bedroom count under City Code Chapter 7 Article 5. Children under 2 are not counted. Occupancy must be posted inside the unit and listed in marketing.
View full Colorado Springs rules →Manitou Springs, CO
El Paso County
Manitou Springs ties STR occupancy to the building code occupant load rather than a fixed guest count. Permits are limited to 2% of the city's residential structures (about 56 units), STRs must be the owner's primary residence (185+ days/year), and new STRs must be at least 500 feet from any other STR.
View full Manitou Springs rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Colorado Springs | Manitou Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Bedroom Formula | 2 per bedroom plus 2 | - |
| Absolute Cap | 10 overnight guests | - |
| Dispersion Rule | 500 feet between non-owner STRs | - |
| Event Cutoff | 10 PM outdoor activity | - |
| Permit Office | Planning and Neighborhood Services | - |
| Max Occupants | - | Building-code occupant load (no flat guest cap) |
| Permit Cap | - | 2% of residential structures (~56 units) |
| Owner Occupancy | - | 185+ days/year primary residence |
| Minimum Rental Activity | - | 21 days/year |
| STR-to-STR Spacing | - | 500 ft minimum radius |
| Permit Term | - | One year, annual renewal |
| State Law | - | CO HB24-1007 bars relationship-based occupancy caps |
| Confirm With | - | Planning Dept (719) 685-5481 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Colorado Springs FAQ
How many guests can stay in a 3-bedroom Colorado Springs STR?
Up to 8 overnight guests under the 2-per-bedroom-plus-2 formula. The hard cap of 10 only limits larger homes. Children under age 2 do not count toward occupancy.
Can I host a wedding reception at my Colorado Springs short-term rental?
Events are limited to posted sleeping occupancy plus 50 percent and must end outdoor activity by 10 PM. Larger events require a separate special event permit and may violate STR terms.
Manitou Springs FAQ
How many people can stay in a Manitou Springs short-term rental?
Manitou Springs ties STR occupancy to the building-code occupant load for the dwelling rather than a flat guest count. Confirm the occupant load for your specific property with the Planning Department at (719) 685-5481 before listing.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied STR in Manitou Springs?
No. New STR permits require the property to be the owner's primary residence for at least 185 days per calendar year, and the city caps total permits at 2% of residential structures.
Does state law affect how Manitou Springs counts guests?
Yes. Colorado HB24-1007 bars residential rental occupancy limits based on familial or relationship status. Manitou's building-code-load approach is consistent with that statute.
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