Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Mesa County, CO Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
LDC Section 6.02 BB.10
Standard applied
Same as other licensed places of accommodation
Includes
Safety/health inspections, licenses, registrations
Includes
Applicable fees and taxes
Enforcing agency
Mesa County Planning Department

Summary

A Mesa County vacation rental does not get a break from the obligations other lodging businesses carry. The Land Development Code holds it to the same safety and health inspections, licenses, registrations, fees and taxes as any other licensed business or place of accommodation.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Mesa County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

10. The vacation rental shall be subject to all applicable safety and health inspections, licenses, registrations, fees and taxes to which other licensed businesses or places of accommodation are subject.

Full Breakdown

" Rather than printing a separate short-term-rental fee schedule inside the land use code, the county chose to fold vacation rentals into the same regulatory track as hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, meaning whatever inspection regime, business license fee, and applicable state or local lodging tax already applies to a commercial place of accommodation applies here too. Practically, that means an operator has to track compliance across more than one county or state office, the Site Plan Review and any related planning fees are separate from the business licensing and tax registrations this section pulls in.

11, underscoring that these financial and inspection obligations are treated as part of the same package of standards an owner must keep current, not a one-time cost paid only at the Site Plan Review stage. Because the section incorporates "all applicable" fees and taxes rather than listing a fixed number, an owner needs to confirm current amounts and inspection schedules directly with the relevant county licensing and tax offices rather than relying on a number fixed in the land use code itself.

Violations & Fines

Failing to maintain current licenses, registrations, fees, or tax filings required of other licensed places of accommodation is treated as noncompliance with the vacation rental standards under Section 6.02 BB.11, which can result in the Planning Director revoking the site plan approval that authorizes the rental use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mesa County charge a separate tax for vacation rentals?
The Land Development Code does not print a separate rate; Section 6.02 BB.10 instead requires the rental to carry all applicable fees and taxes that any other licensed business or place of accommodation must carry, so the operator must confirm current amounts with the relevant licensing and tax offices.
Are vacation rentals inspected like hotels?
Yes. BB.10 subjects vacation rentals to the same safety and health inspections required of other licensed places of accommodation, in addition to the Site Plan Review process under BB.1.
Is paying the site plan review fee enough to be compliant?
No. Site Plan Review approval under BB.1 is separate from the ongoing licensing, registration, fee, and tax obligations imposed by BB.10, which continue for as long as the rental operates.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Mesa County

All Mesa County rules

How Mesa County compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Mesa County to another location·View the Colorado short-term rentals overview

Get notified when Taxes & Fees in Mesa County, CO changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.