Jefferson County, CO Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Jefferson County adopted Section 46 - Short-Term Rentals of the Zoning Resolution on December 16, 2025, creating an administrative STR license program for unincorporated areas. The program is authorized by Colorado HB23-1287 (codified at C.R.S. 30-15-401(1)(j.7)), which lets county commissioners license and regulate STRs of fewer than 30 consecutive days. Required submittals include a completed application, a scaled floor plan showing sleeping areas, a parking plan, a trash storage and removal plan, proof of water and sanitation (well permit or Form 1001 from a sanitation district), proof of defensible space where in a wildfire hazard area, proof of liability insurance, proof of ownership, and an affidavit certifying compliance. A local on-call representative must be able to reach the property within 30 minutes. Investor-owned STRs (where the host does not occupy the property) are capped at one licensed STR per owner in unincorporated Jefferson County and must observe a 750-foot separation buffer from other investor STRs. Licenses are valid up to one year and must be renewed annually. Operators must also register with the Colorado Secretary of State, collect Colorado state sales tax (2.9%), Jefferson County sales tax (0.5%), and remit lodging tax on stays under 30 days. Cities within Jefferson County (Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Golden) maintain separate STR rules.