Denver, CO

Denver runs one of the stricter noise ordinances among major Western cities. Quiet hours are 7 PM to 7 AM in residential areas — earlier than most places. During those hours, the limit is 50 dB at your property line. Daytime maxes out at 55 dB for residential, which is quieter than a normal conversation. The city uses actual decibel meters for enforcement, not just the "I can hear it" standard. Denver's Environmental Health division handles complaints, not the police, which means they take a more methodical approach but enforcement can be slower.

Denver requires a license for any short-term rental — no exceptions. The property must be your primary residence, meaning you actually live there at least 51% of the year. You need a business license plus a specific STR license from the Department of Excise and Licenses. The application runs $25, and you have to renew every year. Denver also requires you to collect and remit lodger's tax (10.75%). Running an unlicensed rental gets expensive fast — the city has been cracking down since 2024 and fines start at $999 per violation per day.

Denver allows recreational fire pits under specific conditions. Your fire must be in a manufactured fire pit or a masonry/stone structure — digging a hole in the ground doesn't count. The pit can't exceed 3 feet wide and must be 15 feet from any structure. Fires are only allowed when Denver's Air Pollution Control Division hasn't declared a High Pollution Advisory day, which happens frequently in winter due to inversions. Gas fire pits are exempt from air quality restrictions. The Denver Fire Department responds to open burning complaints and can order any fire extinguished.