Short-term rental permit rules in Jefferson County, CO — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Yes. As of Section 46 (adopted Dec. 16, 2025; effective Feb. 2, 2026), you must obtain a Short-Term Rental License from Jefferson County Planning & Zoning before operating or advertising an STR in unincorporated Jefferson County.
Section 46 of the Jefferson County Zoning Resolution governs STRs in unincorporated Jeffco. An STR is a Single-Family Detached, Single-Family Attached, Duplex, or Accessory Dwelling Unit rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Only one license is issued per property, and it must take access from a County-maintained right-of-way or a road meeting County standards. The subject property must lie within a Fire Protection District. Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served through the Jefferson County Citizen Portal; incomplete applications are denied. This applies only to unincorporated county land, not to cities like Lakewood, Arvada, or Golden.
Operating without a license is unlawful; fines are $500 first violation, $1,000 subsequent, each day a separate violation, prosecuted by the County Attorney under CRS 30-15-401-402.
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