Short-term rental permit rules in Douglas County, CO — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Any dwelling in unincorporated Douglas County rented for under 30 consecutive days must hold a county Short-Term Rental License. The rule applies in all zone districts, though homes in a Planned Development need that PD to expressly allow the use.
Douglas County adopted its Short-Term Rental Ordinance in 2023 to license vacation rentals in the unincorporated county, which includes Highlands Ranch, Roxborough and other CDPs. A license is required before advertising or renting. Applications go to the Zoning Compliance team and must be complete (parking plan, notarized Local Responsible Agent declaration, life-safety affidavit, health/building sign-offs) before review. The county has 60 days to act. Incorporated towns set their own rules: Castle Rock, Parker and Lone Tree do not license STRs but require a town business license and lodging tax. HOA covenants may still prohibit STRs entirely.
Operating without a license is a zoning violation; the Director may deny or refuse a license and pursue notice-of-violation enforcement. Platforms must remove unlicensed listings within 7 days of county notice.
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See how Douglas County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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