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

9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Douglas County, Colorado.

Verified from official government sources

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

Short-Term Rental Permits

A Douglas County Short-Term Rental license lasts one calendar year, or ends immediately when the property is sold. Owners must file a full renewal application every year, resubmitting all required documents. Each change of ownership requires a brand-new license application.

STR License Expires Yearly and Must Be Renewed

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. IV.B.1

A Short-Term Rental Property license shall expire one (1) calendar year after its issuance, or when title of the Short-Term Rental Property transfers to a new Owner, whichever occurs first. Each change in ownership of a Short-Term Rental Property shall require a new license application.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

The STR ordinance does not set a decibel limit itself. Instead, each rental must post written good-neighbor guidelines covering noise, and general Douglas County noise rules and quiet hours apply. A Local Responsible Agent must be reachable 24/7 to address noise complaints.

STRs Must Post Noise and Good-Neighbor Policies

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. V.N.1.j

Good neighbor and lessee guidelines regarding property boundaries, noise, parking, ATV use (not allowed), trash handling, wildlife guidelines, and fire restrictions.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Douglas County charges a $500 application review fee the first year, $270 to renew, plus a $130 license fee each year. Owners must collect and remit all applicable taxes: Colorado's 2.9% state sales tax applies to stays under 30 days, plus local sales and lodging taxes.

STR License Fees and Colorado Lodging Taxes

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. V.P

Taxes. The Owner or the Local Responsible Agent shall collect and remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes on each Short-Term Rental Property.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

All guest vehicles and trailers at a Douglas County rental must fit on the property's permitted, approved driveway. Parking on vegetated (landscaped or natural) areas is prohibited. Owners must submit a parking plan clearly delineating where vehicles and trailers may park.

Guest Parking Must Fit the Approved Driveway

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. V.H.1

The motor vehicles and trailers of all occupants of the Short-Term Rental Property shall be able to be accommodated on the permitted and approved driveway of the Short-Term Rental Property. No motor vehicles or trailers shall be parked on the vegetated areas of a Short-Term Rental Property.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

For a Douglas County rental on central sewer, overnight occupancy cannot exceed two guests per bedroom. On a septic (on-site wastewater) system, occupancy cannot exceed the system's design capacity. The permitted occupancy is printed on the license and must be posted inside.

Occupancy Capped at Two Guests Per Bedroom

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. V.G

Occupancy of a Short-Term Rental Property served by an on-site wastewater treatment system shall not exceed the design capacity of said system. Occupancy of a Short-Term Rental Property served by a central sanitation system shall not exceed two (2) guests per bedroom. The permitted occupancy shall be stated on the Short-Term Rental license.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Douglas County's ordinance does not require short-term rental owners to carry a specific liability insurance policy. It does make the owner strictly and non-delegably liable for full compliance, so carrying host or landlord liability coverage is strongly advisable even though it is not mandated.

No Mandatory Insurance, But Owner Is Strictly Liable

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. V.R

Compliance with and ensuring compliance with the requirements set forth in this Ordinance shall be a nondelegable responsibility of the Owner of a Short-Term Rental Property. Each Owner of a Short-Term Rental Property shall be strictly liable for complying with, and ensuring compliance with, the conditions and limitations set forth in this Ordinance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Douglas County sets no maximum number of nights a licensed short-term rental may operate each year. However, a home rented 14 days or fewer per calendar year, and not regularly advertised as a short-term rental, is exempt from the licensing requirement altogether.

No Annual Night Cap, But 14 Days Triggers Licensing

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance - Exemptions

Short-Term Rental Licenses are not required for:... Lodging Units that are not leased more than 14 days in a calendar year and not advertised as a short-term rental on a regular basis.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Douglas County does not require the host to sleep onsite, but every rental must name a Local Responsible Agent (which can be the owner). That agent or owner must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and able to be physically onsite within two hours if the

Local Responsible Agent Must Be Reachable 24/7

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. IV.C.3-4

Either the Local Responsible Agent or the Owner shall be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by a text-enabled telephone to respond to questions or concerns... either the Local Responsible Agent or the Owner shall be able to be physically onsite of the Short-Term Rental Property within two (2) hours at the request of the County.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Douglas County does not require a short-term rental to be the owner's primary residence, so non-owner-occupied and investment rentals are allowed. However, where a lot holds more than one residence, only one of them may be licensed and used as a short-term rental.

No Primary-Residence Requirement, But One STR Per Lot

Some Restrictions

Douglas County STR Ordinance, Sec. V.A

Where a lot contains a detached single-family residence and an additional residence(s) of any kind, such as a guest house or a caretaker residence, the Owner is allowed to use only one residence as a Short-Term Rental Property.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Douglas County

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

Castle RockPop. 73,158

2 verified rules • Short-Term Rental Permits, Taxes & Fees

All Douglas County ordinances

See every category we cover for Douglas County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

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