Unincorporated Larimer County does not require a short-term rental to be the owner's primary residence — a standard (unhosted) STR is allowed. Fort Collins, however, distinguishes primary (owner lives there 9+ months) from non-primary STRs, allowing non-primary only in lodging zones.
In the unincorporated county, the Land Use Code permits standard unhosted short-term rentals as well as hosted STRs and B&B Inns, so a home need not be your primary residence to be licensed. Only a hosted STR requires a full-time resident or owner living on-site. The picture differs inside cities: the City of Fort Collins recognizes 'primary' STRs (you personally reside there nine months a year or more) and 'non-primary' STRs, and permits non-primary rentals only in zones that already allow lodging establishments. Always confirm which jurisdiction — county or city — governs your parcel.
Operating a non-primary STR in a Fort Collins zone that only allows primary STRs is a city licensing violation; county enforcement instead targets operating without an approval.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County addresses hoarding through its pet-quantity and care standards. Sec. 6-80 requires proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, and Sec. ...
Larimer County, CO
Feeding wild ducks and geese is prohibited in unincorporated Larimer County after a written warning. Feeding bears and other wildlife is discouraged, and the...
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County sets no ordinance banning backyard composting, and it is encouraged for waste reduction. It must not become a nuisance. Fort Collins allows ho...
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County sets no specific ban on artificial turf, and Colorado law now protects nonvegetative turf grass from HOA prohibition. Check your city's landsc...
Larimer County, CO
Larimer County does not require native plants, and Colorado law protects your right to xeriscape. Under C.R.S. § 38-33.3-106.5, HOAs cannot ban xeriscape, dr...
Larimer County, CO
Colorado law lets a single-family or small multi-family household collect rooftop rainwater in up to two rain barrels holding no more than 110 gallons combin...
See how Larimer County's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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