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

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

Verified from official government sources

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

Permit Requirements

Yes. As of Section 46 (adopted Dec. 16, 2025; effective Feb. 2, 2026), you must obtain a Short-Term Rental License from Jefferson County Planning & Zoning before operating or advertising an STR in unincorporated Jefferson County.

Short-Term Rental License Required in Unincorporated Jeffco

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.B.1

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or legal entity to operate an STR and/or commence any of the following activities without first obtaining an STR License from the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Section 46 requires every short-term rental to comply with the Jefferson County Noise Abatement Policy. A 24-hour Local Representative must be reachable to respond to problems, including noise complaints from neighbors.

STRs Must Comply With County Noise Abatement Policy

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.B.15

Compliance with the Jefferson County Noise Abatement Policy is required.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Every STR License application carries a nonrefundable processing fee set by the Board of County Commissioners, due once the license is approved. Jefferson County also levies a lodging tax on short-term rental stays, on top of state and county sales tax.

STR License Fee and Jefferson County Lodging Tax

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.F.11

Fee. A nonrefundable processing fee in an amount established by the BCC will be charged for each license submitted.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Section 46 requires every STR to provide a minimum of one off-street parking space per bedroom. The application must include a parking plan (site plan) showing how the required spaces are accommodated on the property.

One Off-Street Parking Space Per Bedroom

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.B.9

STRs shall have a minimum of one (1) off-street parking space per bedroom.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom, or fewer if the on-site wastewater system is more restrictive. No STR may exceed ten occupants regardless of bedroom count. An STR in an Accessory Dwelling Unit is capped at three occupants.

STR Occupancy Capped at Two Per Bedroom, Ten Maximum

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.B.12

The number of occupants is limited to two (2) per bedroom or as limited by the on-site wastewater treatment system, whichever is more restrictive. No STR shall exceed ten (10) occupants, no matter the number of bedrooms or wastewater treatment system allowance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Yes. Section 46 requires every STR to carry fire, hazard, and liability insurance, either through separate STR liability coverage or a homeowner's policy rider covering STRs, with a minimum of $500,000 in liability coverage. Operating without it is unlawful.

STR Liability Insurance of at Least $500,000 Required

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.B.27

An STR must have fire, hazard and liability insurance either through separate STR liability coverage or through a homeowner's insurance policy rider that specifically provides coverage for STRs. The minimum amount of liability insurance shall be a minimum of five-hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Jefferson County Section 46 does not impose an annual limit on the number of nights an STR may be rented. Instead of a night cap, it controls STR density through a 750-foot separation between STRs and a 1% cap per Fire Protection District.

No Annual Night Cap; Density Capped by Separation and 1% Rule

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.B.7

Properties used for STRs shall not be located within seven-hundred and fifty (750) feet of another property containing an existing and permitted STR. This standard applies at the time of the initial application for an STR License, not for renewals.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

An STR License is issued only to the property owner, is valid for no more than one year, and must be renewed annually at least 30 days before expiration. Licenses are not transferable to another person or location and terminate on sale.

STR License Application and Renewal Rules

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.G.8

An STR License shall be valid for no more than one year and must be renewed annually. STR Licenses shall terminate automatically upon any conveyance of ownership of the subject property not otherwise exempted above.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Jeffco does not require the host to be present during stays. Instead, Section 46 requires a designated Local Representative located no more than 30 minutes from the STR, available 24 hours a day with access and authority to make decisions.

Local Representative Required, Not On-Site Host

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.B.25

A Local Representative who is no more than thirty minutes from the STR shall be identified by the applicant.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Jeffco does not require STRs to be a primary residence. It licenses two types: Primary Residence STRs and Investment Property STRs. An owner may hold an interest in only one investment (non-primary-residence) STR at any time.

Primary-Residence and Investment STRs Both Allowed, With Limits

Some Restrictions

Jefferson County Zoning Resolution, Section 46.D.1

An owner may have an ownership interest in an STR at no more than one (1) property, which is not the owner's Primary Residence, at any time.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Jefferson County

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

LakewoodPop. 157,393

6 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Noise Rules

ArvadaPop. 124,402

8 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Night Caps

All Jefferson County ordinances

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

Jefferson County Ordinance Hub →