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Mesa County, CO Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Governing section: LDC Section 6.02 BB.6
Minimum spaces: 1 per sleeping room, plus 1 extra
Where vehicles must park: Designated parking areas only
Linked to: Occupancy limit set under BB.3
Enforcing agency: Mesa County Planning Department

Summary

Mesa County ties off-street parking directly to the size of a vacation rental. The Land Development Code requires one dedicated space per sleeping room plus an extra space, and guests must park in the designated areas rather than on the street or lawn.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Mesa County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

6. The vacation rental shall have a minimum of one (1) off-street parking space per sleeping room plus one (1) additional space. All vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas only.

View official code

Full Breakdown

6 of the 2020 Land Development Code (amended April 23, 2024) sets the parking floor for every approved vacation rental: "The vacation rental shall have a minimum of one (1) off-street parking space per sleeping room plus one (1) additional space. " That formula scales automatically with the size of the home, a four-bedroom rental needs at least five off-street spaces, while a studio-style accessory dwelling unit needs at least two. 3 sets the property's maximum guest occupancy using the same parking-space count as an input, an owner cannot expand the guest limit without also expanding paved, designated parking.

1. Any change to how parking is configured on the lot, such as converting a garage bay to living space, effectively changes the number of designated spaces and can trigger the need to revisit the approved site plan.

Violations & Fines

Failing to provide the required off-street spaces, or allowing guests to park outside the designated areas identified in the approved site plan, is a standards violation under Section 6.02 BB.11 and can result in the Planning Director revoking the vacation rental's site plan approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many parking spaces does a Mesa County vacation rental need?

At least one off-street space per sleeping room, plus one additional space, under Section 6.02 BB.6. A three-bedroom rental therefore needs a minimum of four designated spaces on the property.

Can guests park on the street instead?

No. BB.6 specifies that all vehicles shall be parked in designated parking areas only, meaning the spaces identified and approved in the property's site plan, not the public street or unapproved yard areas.

Does adding parking let me raise my occupancy limit?

Potentially, but only through the county's process. Occupancy is set under Section 6.02 BB.3 using bedroom count and parking spaces together, so a change to either would require going back through Site Plan Review.

Sources & Official References

[1]Mesa County Land Development Code (2020, amended 04-23-24)

Other rules in Mesa County

Short-Term Rental PermitsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Occupancy LimitsSome Restrictions Host Presence RuleSome Restrictions Taxes & FeesSome Restrictions Repeat Violator StrikesSignificant Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Mesa County rules

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