Boulder County, CO Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)
Key Facts
- Short-term license cap
- None
- Host-absence nights
- 45 per year (short-term)
- Vacation cap
- 3.5% of housing units
- Upper St. Vrain CCD
- 169 vacation licenses
- Bald Mountain CCD
- 73 vacation licenses
Summary
There is no cap on short-term rental licenses, but a host may be absent only up to 45 nights per year. Whole-home Vacation Rentals are capped at a combined 3.5% of housing units, set at 169 in Upper St. Vrain CCD and 73 in Bald Mountain CCD.
Licenses for Vacation Rentals shall be subject to a combined 3.5 percent cap of the total housing units within the Upper St. Vrain Census County Division (CCD) and Bald Mountain CCD within the unincorporated County.
Full Breakdown
Section 7 distinguishes the two license types. Short-Term Rental licenses have no numeric cap, but the primary-residence rule limits host absence to 45 nights per year. Vacation Rental licenses are subject to a combined 3.5% cap of total housing units in the Upper St. Vrain and Bald Mountain Census County Divisions: 169 licenses in Upper St. Vrain CCD and 73 in Bald Mountain CCD. When caps are reached, the Director maintains a first-come, first-served waitlist; a notified applicant has 30 days to begin applying. A vacation license unused more than 45 days for two consecutive years may be converted to a short-term license.
Violations & Fines
Operating a vacation rental beyond the cap or without a waitlist slot is unlicensed operation. Exceeding the 45-night host-absence limit voids short-term eligibility, exposing the operator to fines and revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent?
What happens when the vacation rental cap is full?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boulder County
Compare Boulder County to another location·View the Colorado short-term rentals overview
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