Douglas County, CO Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual night cap
- None for licensed rentals
- License exemption
- 14 or fewer days per year
- Also required
- Not regularly advertised
- Long-term leases
- Over 30 days exempt
- Other exemptions
- Hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds
Summary
Douglas County sets no maximum number of nights a licensed short-term rental may operate each year. However, a home rented 14 days or fewer per calendar year, and not regularly advertised as a short-term rental, is exempt from the licensing requirement altogether.
Short-Term Rental Licenses are not required for:... Lodging Units that are not leased more than 14 days in a calendar year and not advertised as a short-term rental on a regular basis.
Full Breakdown
The ordinance places no ceiling on how many nights a fully licensed STR can host guests; once licensed, an owner may rent year-round. The 14-day figure is an exemption threshold, not a cap: lodging units 'that are not leased more than 14 days in a calendar year and not advertised as a short-term rental on a regular basis' do not need a license. Other exemptions include hotels, motels, campgrounds, bed-and-breakfasts, leases longer than 30 consecutive days, and country-club member dwellings. Cross the 14-day line, or advertise regularly, and the full county Short-Term Rental License is required with all its conditions.
Violations & Fines
Renting more than 14 days a year, or advertising regularly, without a license is a zoning violation subject to notice-of-violation enforcement and mandatory platform listing removal within seven days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent?
Can I rent occasionally without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Douglas County
Compare Douglas County to another location·View the Colorado short-term rentals overview
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