Short-Term Rentals in Boulder County, CO (2026)

10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Boulder County, Colorado.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Boulder County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Yes. Since March 5, 2024, no one may operate a short-term or vacation rental in unincorporated Boulder County without a county-issued Short-Term Rental License or Vacation Rental License under Ordinance 2023-02.

Short-Term Rental License Required in Unincorporated Boulder County

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 2.A

It is a violation of this Ordinance to offer, provide, or operate a Short-Term Rental or Vacation Rental within the unincorporated area of Boulder County, Colorado without a current Short-Term Rental License or Vacation Rental License.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Ordinance 2023-02 sets no separate decibel standard, but each rental must provide guests county Good Neighbor Guidelines and a Local Manager who responds within one hour. Colorado's state noise limits (CRS 25-12-103) and county nuisance rules still apply.

Noise and Nuisance Rules for Boulder County Rentals

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 6.A.2.f

Good Neighbor Guidelines provided by the county

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

License fees are $350 (short-term) or $500 (vacation) for a two-year term. Operators must remit all applicable state and local sales and use taxes and hold a Colorado sales tax license or book only on tax-remitting platforms.

Boulder County Short-Term Rental Taxes and License Fees

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 4.A.10

All Licensees will be required to remit all applicable taxes for the Licensed Premises, including state and local sales and use taxes.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Applicants must submit a parking plan and provide satisfactory on-site parking. Short-term rentals need two on-site spaces; vacation rentals need two spaces or one per four occupants, whichever is fewer, all on-site.

Parking Rules for Boulder County Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 5.A.4

Parking. The County Engineer or the County Engineer's designee has determined that the proposed Licensed Premises has satisfactory On-Site parking facilities.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Occupancy is capped at eight individuals, or the occupancy limit of the approved on-site wastewater (septic) system, whichever is fewer. That number is the maximum people allowed on the premises at any one time while rented.

Occupancy Limit for Boulder County Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 6.A.1

Occupancy Limit. A maximum of eight individuals, or the occupancy limit of the permitted and approved on-site wastewater treatment system, whichever is fewer.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Yes. Applicants must show a certificate of insurance with adequate liability and property limits insuring at least $500,000 in liability and reflecting rental exposure. Coverage must stay in place for the entire two-year license period.

Insurance Required for Boulder County Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 4.A.2

Applicant must demonstrate that the proposed Licensed Premises is covered by appropriate insurance in the form of a certificate of insurance with adequate liability and property insurance limits that must at a minimum, insure liability at $500,000 and show a rental exposure.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

There is no cap on short-term rental licenses, but a host may be absent only up to 45 nights per year. Whole-home Vacation Rentals are capped at a combined 3.5% of housing units, set at 169 in Upper St. Vrain CCD and 73 in Bald Mountain CCD.

Night Caps and License Caps for Boulder County Rentals

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 7.B

Licenses for Vacation Rentals shall be subject to a combined 3.5 percent cap of the total housing units within the Upper St. Vrain Census County Division (CCD) and Bald Mountain CCD within the unincorporated County.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Apply online through Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting. The application must include proof of insurance, ownership, primary residence (if applicable), a parking plan, floor plan, a sales tax license, and notice to adjacent neighbors.

How to Register a Short-Term Rental in Boulder County

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 4.A.7

Provide Copy of License to Neighbors. The Licensee must provide a copy of the License to immediately adjacent neighbors by U.S. Mail, first class postage or email. Further, the Licensee must post a copy of the License in a prominent location within the Dwelling Unit for guests to see.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Every licensed rental must have a Local Manager available whenever the premises is occupied who can respond to a renter or complainant within one hour in person. The owner may serve as manager if they meet this standard.

Local Manager Requirement for Boulder County Rentals

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 6.A.5

Every Licensed Premises must have a local manager available to manage the Licensed Premises during any period when the Licensed Premises are occupied as a Short-Term Rental or Vacation Rental. The manager must be able to respond to a renter or complainant within one (1) hour in person.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Short-Term Rentals must be the owner's or tenant's primary residence, occupied more than six months per year, though the host may be absent up to 45 nights annually. Whole-home Vacation Rentals (owner absent) are separately capped and zone-restricted.

Primary Residence Rule for Boulder County Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Boulder County Ordinance 2023-02, Section 1.A.8

Primary Residence: The Dwelling Unit in which a person resides for more than six (6) months out of each calendar year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Boulder County

2 cities in Boulder County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

BoulderPop. 108,250

12 verified rules • Extended Home Share, Host Platform Liability

LongmontPop. 98,885

10 verified rules • Host Presence Rule, Insurance Requirements

All Boulder County ordinances

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