Centennial, CO Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- Sales tax license
- Required at application, Sec. 4-1-500
- Ongoing duty
- Pay all City taxes/fees timely
- First penalty
- $150 administrative penalty
- Interest on unpaid penalty
- 5% per month, compounding
- Revocation trigger
- 3+ findings of noncompliance in 12 months
Summary
Centennial short-term rental hosts must hold a valid City sales tax license and pay all sales taxes and fees owed to the City on time, or risk license suspension, revocation, and escalating penalties.
(12)Payment of taxes. Licensee shall pay all sales taxes and fees owed to the City in a timely manner.(13)Payment of administrative penalty assessment. Licensee shall pay all administrative penalty assessments imposed pursuant to this Article in a timely manner.(14)Change of information. Licensee shall notify the Director within five (5) days after knowledge of any change to the information required by Section 6-9-50.(15)Conformance with applicable laws.a.The real property on which the licensed premise is situated shall at all times be in compliance with all state and local laws.b.Licensee shall operate the short-term rental to meet the requirements of all state and local laws generally applicable to the public and to the licensed premises, such as, but not limited to, parking, outdoor lighting, noise, open fire burning, signage, animal and leash laws, trash and refuse management, and marijuana regulations.c.It shall be the obligation of the licensee to advise guests of all laws affecting the guests' use of the short-term rental.d.Offenses committed by guests shall adversely impair the license and the licensee's privilege to operate the short-term rental and such offenses may be cause to revoke, suspend, or penalize a license or licensee in accordance with Section 6-9-90. It is not a defense to any revocation, suspension, or administrative penalty assessment that the underlying offenses were committed by the licensee's guests or invitees of the licensee's guests.
Full Breakdown
Every short-term rental license application in Centennial must include a copy of a valid City sales tax license issued under Section 4-1-500, unless the operator qualifies as a marketplace seller exempt under Section 4-1-50(f)(5). Once licensed, Section 6-9-70(12) requires the licensee to pay all sales taxes and fees owed to the City in a timely manner. Nonpayment is grounds for an administrative penalty, license suspension after repeat findings, or revocation, and unpaid administrative penalties accrue five percent monthly interest until paid in full.
Violations & Fines
Nonpayment triggers a $150 penalty for a first finding, $300 for a second, $500 for a third, 5% monthly interest, license suspension up to six months, and revocation after repeat violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Centennial short-term rental hosts need a sales tax license?
What happens if an STR host doesn't pay City taxes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Centennial
How Centennial compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Centennial to another location·View the Colorado short-term rentals overview
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