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Arvada, CO Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Annual Day Cap
240 days per calendar year
Minimum Stay
2 consecutive nights
Maximum Stay
29 consecutive nights
Code Citation
LDC 3-1-5-3; Ord. 4917
Renewal Reporting
Days-rented data required

Summary

Arvada caps STR occupancy at 240 days per calendar year per permitted property under LDC 3-1-5-3 (Ord. 4917). Stays must be 2 to 29 consecutive nights, and the day-count is verified at renewal using guest-occupancy data submitted to the city.

Operating requirements Property to be rented may be the entire permitted property or a bedroom, lock-off or other portion of the permitted property. Parking required. Any property that is being rented as an STR must have an additional on-site parking space. Exception. If the entire premise is being used or rented as STR, no additional on-site parking space is required. Property Maintenance Requirements. The permittee must maintain weekly rubbish and garbage removal services for the STR and otherwise comply with all provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as adopted by Arvada. This includes but is not limited to complying with lawn mowing, weed removal, and snow and ice requirements. Nuisances not allowed. A Permittee may not allow or permit the STR to create a nuisance as that term is defined in Chapter 38 of the City Code. Only one short-term rental permit is allowed per lot. For example, you can permit the primary residence or a secondary residence, such an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) but you cannot have both permitted. All taxes must be paid. The permittee must ensure that all lodging, sales, and other taxes due as a result of the use of the property as an STR are submitted to the City in a timely manner. Limits on overnight occupancy. STRs are limited to a total overnight occupancy of two occupants per bedroom plus two additional occupants. Studios are limited to three occupants. Maximum nights of operation is 240 days in any 365-day period.

Source: Arvada Operating a Short-Term RentalView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Arvada's STR ordinance limits each permitted property to a maximum of 240 days of paid STR occupancy per calendar year. Stays must run at least 2 nights and may not exceed 29 consecutive nights (30+ falls outside the STR definition). The cap applies to the permitted property as a whole. At renewal (due 45 days before expiration), permittees must report days rented in the prior 365 days, and the city cross-checks against city sales-tax filings and platform data. Colorado HB23-1287 (2023) requires the state DOR sales-tax license number on listings; HB24-1007 (eff. July 1, 2024) bars relationship-based caps. Arvada's day cap is tied to nights, not relationships, so it remains enforceable.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding 240 rental days in a calendar year, or accepting stays shorter than 2 nights or 30+ nights as STRs, can result in permit suspension, revocation, denial of renewal, and code-enforcement penalties under LDC 3-1-5-3.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nights per year can I rent my Arvada STR?
A short-term rental in Arvada may be occupied for up to 240 days in a calendar year under Land Development Code 3-1-5-3. Each booking must be at least 2 consecutive nights and no more than 29 consecutive nights to qualify as a short-term rental. Stays of 30 or more consecutive nights fall outside the STR definition and are treated as long-term rentals under separate rules.
How does Arvada track the 240-day cap?
At renewal (filed at least 45 days before the permit expires) the operator must submit guest occupancy data showing how many days the unit was rented in the prior 365 days. Arvada cross-references that against city sales and lodging tax filings and against listing data from hosting platforms. Records must be kept for audit. Exceeding 240 days can result in non-renewal or revocation.
Does Colorado state law override Arvada's day cap?
No. Colorado HB23-1287 (2023) sets state-level platform display rules for STR sales-tax license numbers but does not preempt local caps. Colorado HB24-1007 (effective July 1, 2024) bars local governments from capping occupancy based on familial relationship, but Arvada's 240-day-per-year limit is tied to nights of operation, not to who is staying, so it remains enforceable.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Arvada

All Arvada rules

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