Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Arapahoe County, CO

Airbnb listings are allowed in Arapahoe County, CO, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are restricted to the owner's primary residence and must maintain a 500-foot separation from other licensed STRs. Operators must designate a Local Responsible Agent (LRA) available 24/7, comply with specific parking minimums (1-2 spaces depending on unit size), and meet life-safety standards including smoke/CO detectors and fire extinguishers. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are restricted to the owner's primary residence and must maintain a 500-foot separation from other licensed STRs. Operators must designate a Local Responsible Agent (LRA) available 24/7, comply with specific parking minimums (1-2 spaces depending on unit size), and meet life-safety standards including smoke/CO detectors and fire extinguishers.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Arapahoe County. 1) Submit a complete Short-Term Rental License application to Arapahoe County Public Works and Development including proof of primary residence, a parking plan, and proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance. 2) Pay the required fees (proposed $200 application and $350 annual license) and designate a Local Responsible Agent reachable within 15 minutes. 3) Pass required life-safety inspections and maintain annual compliance and renewal.

1) Submit a complete Short-Term Rental License application to Arapahoe County Public Works and Development including proof of primary residence, a parking plan, and proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance. 2) Pay the required fees (proposed $200 application and $350 annual license) and designate a Local Responsible Agent reachable within 15 minutes. 3) Pass required life-safety inspections and maintain annual compliance and renewal.

Vrbo is permitted in Arapahoe County, CO under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Arapahoe County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Arapahoe County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.