Short-Term Rentals in Mesa County, CO (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Mesa County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
In unincorporated Mesa County, every vacation rental, whether a whole home or a single rented room, must go through Site Plan Review with the Planning Department before it can operate. The Land Development Code limits eligible properties to specific housing types and caps stays under 30 days.
Mesa County Vacation Rental Site Plan Review
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.02 BB.1-2
BB. Vacation Rentals The vacation rental of a private residence, either as a whole or as an individual room, shall be subject to the following requirements. 1. Vacation rentals shall be subject to Site Plan Review. 2. Short-term rentals shall be permitted in single-family dwellings (attached and detached), townhomes, accessory dwelling units and owner-occupied duplexes. a. The maximum lengt...
Taxes & Fees
A Mesa County vacation rental does not get a break from the obligations other lodging businesses carry. The Land Development Code holds it to the same safety and health inspections, licenses, registrations, fees and taxes as any other licensed business or place of accommodation.
Mesa County Vacation Rental Fees and Taxes
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.02 BB.10
10. The vacation rental shall be subject to all applicable safety and health inspections, licenses, registrations, fees and taxes to which other licensed businesses or places of accommodation are subject.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Mesa County ties off-street parking directly to the size of a vacation rental. The Land Development Code requires one dedicated space per sleeping room plus an extra space, and guests must park in the designated areas rather than on the street or lawn.
Mesa County Vacation Rental Parking Requirement
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.02 BB.6
6. The vacation rental shall have a minimum of one (1) off-street parking space per sleeping room plus one (1) additional space. All vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas only.
Occupancy Limits
Mesa County does not set one fixed guest-count ceiling for vacation rentals. Instead, the Land Development Code has the Planning Department calculate the maximum occupancy for each property individually during Site Plan Review, tying the number to bedrooms and available parking.
Mesa County Vacation Rental Occupancy Cap
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.02 BB.3
3. Maximum occupancy of a vacation rental shall be determined at the time of site plan approval based on the number of parking spaces and bedrooms.
Host Presence Rule
Mesa County does not require the owner to live on site, but it does require a local representative. The Land Development Code mandates a county-resident property manager reachable by phone at all times the rental is occupied, with the Planning Department notified of any change.
Mesa County Vacation Rental Local Contact Rule
Some RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.02 BB.7
7. The local property manager or representative shall be a county resident who can be contacted by telephone and is available at all times when the home is rented. The representative shall be available for resolution of conflicts, cleanup of the property, or issues with the home or occupants and shall be able to respond within a reasonable amount of time. a. If the local representative changes...
Repeat Violator Strikes
Mesa County runs a complaint-based strike system for vacation rentals. Three or more verified nuisance, health or safety complaints against the same rental in a calendar year gives the Planning Director authority to revoke its site plan approval outright.
Mesa County Vacation Rental Three-Strike Revocation
Significant RestrictionsMesa County Land Development Code § 6.02 BB.11-11.a
11. Failure to maintain compliance with the aforementioned standards shall result in revocation of approval. a. Should a vacation rental receive three (3) or more formal, verified nuisance, health and/or safety complaints in a calendar year, the Planning Director may revoke the site plan approval.
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