Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Westcliffe, CO

Airbnb listings are allowed in Westcliffe, CO, but with restrictions. STRs are categorized into STR1 (owner-occupied) and STR2 (non-owner-occupied). STR2 units are capped at 3.5% of eligible units in residential zones, cannot be adjacent to each other, and are limited to two per block in Old Town. Maximum occupancy is the greater of one family or two persons per bedroom plus two; advertising is prohibited until a license is issued. 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 categorized into STR1 (owner-occupied) and STR2 (non-owner-occupied). STR2 units are capped at 3.5% of eligible units in residential zones, cannot be adjacent to each other, and are limited to two per block in Old Town. Maximum occupancy is the greater of one family or two persons per bedroom plus two; advertising is prohibited until a license is issued.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Westcliffe. 1) Submit a completed application to the Zoning Enforcement Officer with proof of insurance, sales tax registration, and a $200 biennial fee. 2) Pass a safety inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Officer or designee. 3) Renew the license biennially by November 15 with a $150 fee.

1) Submit a completed application to the Zoning Enforcement Officer with proof of insurance, sales tax registration, and a $200 biennial fee. 2) Pass a safety inspection by the Zoning Enforcement Officer or designee. 3) Renew the license biennially by November 15 with a $150 fee.

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