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Denver, CO Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Rule
STR license limited to primary residence
Enforcer
Denver Dept. of Excise and Licenses
Max penalty
$999 fine or 300 days jail
Proof needed
Colorado ID plus two residency documents
Limit
One primary residence per applicant

Summary

Denver bans short-term rentals of any home that isn't the host's primary residence: investment properties and second homes can't be licensed, and operating one anyway is unlawful under the city code.

(b) Primary residence. It shall be unlawful to operate a short-term rental in any location that is not the applicant's primary residence.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).

Full Breakdown

Denver's short-term rental ordinance limits STR licenses to a host's primary residence: defined as the one address where a person's habitation is fixed and their usual place of return (Sec. 33-46(5)). Sec. 33-49(b) makes it unlawful to operate an STR anywhere else, and Sec. 33-53(a) requires the director of excise and licenses to deny an application that isn't the primary residence, weighing factors like other legal or voting addresses, how often the applicant returns, and business or tax ties. Applicants must prove primary residency with a Colorado ID plus two more documents: vehicle registration, voter registration, tax records, or a utility bill (Sec. 33-48(a)).

Violations & Fines

Non-primary-residence STRs get the license application denied under Sec. 33-53(a); operating unlicensed risks up to a $999 fine or 300 days in jail under the Sec. 1-13(b) general penalty, with each day a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I short-term rent a second home in Denver?
No. It's unlawful to operate a short-term rental at any location that isn't the applicant's primary residence, and Denver will deny a license for a non-primary-residence property.
How does Denver verify a rental is my primary residence?
Applicants must submit a Colorado driver's license or state ID plus at least two more documents, vehicle registration, voter registration, tax returns, or a utility bill, showing that address.

Sources & Official References

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All Denver rules

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