10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Larimer County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Larimer County you cannot rent, or even advertise, a home for stays of 30 days or less without a short-term rental approval from the Planning Division under the Land Use Code. A pre-application meeting is mandatory before applying.
Larimer County STR Ordinance, Section 7.A (LUC Art. 3.3.5)
It is unlawful to lease, advertise for lease, or permit the leasing of any short-term rental in the unincorporated areas of Larimer County without approval from the Larimer County Planning Division according to standards set forth in the LUC.
Every Larimer County short-term rental is subject to the Larimer County Noise Ordinance. Environmental Health enforces it during business hours; the Sheriff's Office handles noise and disorderly conduct after hours. A property manager must respond to complaints within one hour.
Larimer County STR Ordinance, Section 8.G
All short-term rentals are subject to the Larimer County Noise Ordinance. The Noise Ordinance is enforced by the Larimer County Department of Environmental Health during business hours and the Larimer County Sheriff's Office after hours.
STR operators must hold sales-tax licenses and collect Colorado state sales tax (2.9%) plus county and any city taxes on stays under 30 days. Larimer County charges a $250 STR license renewal fee every two years, plus a $500 fee if you apply after a Cease and Desist letter.
Larimer County bars anyone from staying overnight in a motor vehicle, RV, camper, travel trailer, tent or other outdoor structure on an STR property in addition to the rental itself. Guest parking must be handled on-site, not by adding vehicle lodging.
Larimer County STR Ordinance, Section 8.H
No person shall be permitted to stay overnight in any motor vehicle, included but not limited to, a motorhome, truck camper, travel trailer or other similar vehicle, tents, or other outdoor structures on the property in addition to the short-term rental.
A standard Larimer County short-term rental accommodates 10 or fewer guests who are part of one party. Hosted STRs run 1-10 (small) or 11-16 (large) guests, and a Bed & Breakfast Inn is limited to 20 or fewer guests. The approved occupant count must be advertised.
Larimer County Land Use Code, Art. 3.3.5 (STR definitions)
A short-term rental accommodates 10 or fewer guests who are part of one party.
Larimer County's STR ordinance sets no fixed liability-insurance dollar minimum, but the owner must agree to hold the county harmless for any injury or damage from operating the rental. Carrying commercial or platform host liability coverage is strongly advisable.
Larimer County STR Ordinance, Section 5.A
Larimer County assumes no responsibility for the operation of the short-term rental and Owner agrees to hold Larimer County harmless for any injury or damage which may occur, of whatever type or nature, as the result of the operation of the short-term rental.
Larimer County sets no per-night annual cap on how many nights a licensed STR may rent. Instead, it caps the total number of licenses in the Estes Valley residential zone districts at 208 registrations, which currently means a waitlist for new operators there.
Larimer County Land Use Code, Estes Valley STR cap
Operating licenses for short-term rentals in Estes Valley residential zoning districts shall be held at a maximum total ("cap") of 208 registrations.
After Planning Division approval and a Building Division Certificate of Occupancy, Larimer County issues a short-term rental license. The license must be renewed every other year on the anniversary date, and the license number must appear in every advertisement.
Larimer County STR Ordinance, Sections 7.B and 8.D
Subsequent to the Planning Division approval and the Certificate of Occupancy issuance from the Building Division, a license to operate as a short-term rental will be issued. Renewal is required every other year on the anniversary of the original approval or license date.
A standard Larimer County STR does not require the host on-site, but a hosted STR must have a full-time resident or owner living in the principal dwelling. Every rental must name a property manager reachable 24/7 who responds to complaints within one hour.
Larimer County STR Ordinance, Section 8.B
The Property Manager shall be available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to respond to complaints, issues of concern, and violations related to this Ordinance. The Property Manager must be able to affirmatively respond to complaints within one hour of notification of such complaint.
Unincorporated Larimer County does not require a short-term rental to be the owner's primary residence — a standard (unhosted) STR is allowed. Fort Collins, however, distinguishes primary (owner lives there 9+ months) from non-primary STRs, allowing non-primary only in lodging zones.
2 cities in Larimer County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Larimer County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Larimer County Ordinance Hub →