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

9 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.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Unincorporated Jefferson County requires a county-issued Short-Term Rental License before anyone may operate or even advertise a property rented for under 30 days, under the Vacation Rental Services Ordinance adopted December 16, 2025, effective February 2, 2026.

Short-Term Rental License Required in Jefferson County

Significant Restrictions

Jefferson County Policy Manual, Part 3, Ch. 3, Sec. 7 (Vacation Rental Services), §§ A.2, B.1, E.1.b.2, adopted by Ordinance under Resolution CC25-341

1. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to operate a STR and/or commence advertising a STR for rent without first obtaining a Short-Term Rental License. ... This Ordinance shall not apply to the furnishing of lodging services in hotels, motels, resort lodge cottages timeshares/fractional ownership units within a building operating akin to that of a hotel/motel with a central...

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 ↗

Short-Term Rental 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 ↗

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

7 verified rules • Host Platform Liability, Insurance Requirements

ArvadaPop. 124,402

2 verified rules • Night Caps, Short-Term Rental Permits

All Jefferson County ordinances

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

Jefferson County Ordinance Hub →