Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Boulder County, CO

Airbnb listings are allowed in Boulder County, CO, but with restrictions. STRs are allowed in all zone districts if they are primary residences; Vacation Rentals (non-primary) are restricted to Forestry and Mountain Institutional zones in specific Census County Divisions (CCDs) with license caps. Occupancy is limited to 8 people or the septic system limit, and two on-site parking spaces are generally required. 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.

STRs are allowed in all zone districts if they are primary residences; Vacation Rentals (non-primary) are restricted to Forestry and Mountain Institutional zones in specific Census County Divisions (CCDs) with license caps. Occupancy is limited to 8 people or the septic system limit, and two on-site parking spaces are generally required.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Boulder County. 1. Obtain any required land-use approvals under the Land Use Code (for secondary or vacation rentals). 2. Submit a license application via the Accela Citizen Access portal. 3. Complete administrative review for safety, zoning, and wildfire mitigation (if in Zone 1) and renew every two years.

1. Obtain any required land-use approvals under the Land Use Code (for secondary or vacation rentals). 2. Submit a license application via the Accela Citizen Access portal. 3. Complete administrative review for safety, zoning, and wildfire mitigation (if in Zone 1) and renew every two years.

Vrbo is permitted in Boulder 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 Boulder 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 Boulder County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.