Douglas County, CO Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory insurance
- Not required by county code
- Owner liability
- Strict and non-delegable
- Life-safety standards
- Detectors, extinguishers required
- Inspections
- County and Sheriff may enter
- Recommended
- Host/landlord liability coverage
Summary
Douglas County's ordinance does not require short-term rental owners to carry a specific liability insurance policy. It does make the owner strictly and non-delegably liable for full compliance, so carrying host or landlord liability coverage is strongly advisable even though it is not mandated.
Compliance with and ensuring compliance with the requirements set forth in this Ordinance shall be a nondelegable responsibility of the Owner of a Short-Term Rental Property. Each Owner of a Short-Term Rental Property shall be strictly liable for complying with, and ensuring compliance with, the conditions and limitations set forth in this Ordinance.
Full Breakdown
The Short-Term Rental Ordinance contains no minimum liability-insurance requirement, unlike some jurisdictions that demand $500,000 or $1 million in coverage. Instead, Section V.R makes compliance a nondelegable responsibility of the owner and holds each owner strictly liable. The owner must also meet life-safety standards (working smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, sound structure) and complete Building and Health Department inspections, and the county and Sheriff may inspect the property to enforce the ordinance. Given strict liability and guest turnover, owners commonly carry short-term-rental or landlord liability insurance, and platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo provide their own host protection programs, but neither is required by county code.
Violations & Fines
No insurance penalty exists, but because the owner is strictly liable, any code or ordinance violation falls on the owner and can lead to suspension or one-year revocation of the license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Douglas County require STR liability insurance?
Who is responsible if something goes wrong at the rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
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