Denver, CO Short-Term Rentals: Extended Home Share (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing agency
- Denver Dept. of Excise and Licenses
- Eligible properties
- Applicant's primary residence only
- Qualifying stay length
- Under 30 consecutive days
- License term
- One year, renewable
- Unlicensed operation penalty
- Up to $999 fine or jail
Summary
Denver caps short-term rentals to a host's primary residence: you can rent out your own home or a room in it, but not a second property or investment unit, and you need a city license first.
It shall be unlawful to offer, provide, or operate a short-term rental in the City and County of Denver without first obtaining a license as provided in this article III and in compliance with any and all applicable laws and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. ... Primary residence. It shall be unlawful to operate a short-term rental in any location that is not the applicant's primary residence.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
The Denver Department of Excise and Licenses requires a short-term rental license under D.R.M.C. § 33-47 before anyone offers a dwelling unit for stays under 30 days. Section 33-49(b) makes it unlawful to operate a short-term rental anywhere but the host's primary residence: the one place they actually live and return to, not a rental property or vacation home. Applicants must prove primary residency with a Colorado ID plus two more documents (vehicle registration, voter registration, tax return, or utility bill) and hold a lodger's tax account. Booking platforms that process payment for an unlicensed listing face a $1,000-per-day civil penalty.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a license or outside your primary residence is a criminal violation under the general penalty: up to $999 and 300 days in jail, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out a house in Denver I don't live in as a short-term rental?
What proof does Denver require that a short-term rental is my primary residence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado short-term rentals overview
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