Littleton, CO Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Chapter 19 of Title 3, Rental Property Owner Registration, defines rental property as any multiple-family residential structure containing three or more residential units, or complex of same located on the same site and held in the same ownership, under section 3-19-1. Section 3-19-2(A) makes it unlawful for an owner or agent to allow any person to occupy any rental property as a tenant or lessee or otherwise unless the owner has registered with, and obtained a license from, the city's Department of Community Development. The registration form must list the owner's name, address, and phone numbers, plus a local contact person in the Denver metropolitan area authorized to act for the owner.

One registration covers each rental property, and the city issues the license within 30 days of a complete application under section 3-19-2(B). Current owners had 30 days from the chapter's effective date to register, new owners must register and obtain the license before renting, and any owner who acquires rental property must register anew within 30 days of the conveyance and pay the transfer fee under section 3-19-2(C). The nonrefundable registration fee itself is set by City Council resolution rather than fixed in the Code.

Owners must also report any change to the required information within 30 days and provide the Department of Community Development annual updates on request under section 3-19-2(E). Because the definition turns on three or more units under common ownership, single-family homes and duplexes held by one owner fall outside this registration duty.