Short-term and vacation rental rules in unincorporated Boulder County, Colorado

Not legal advice. Rules change; check the official source. Read on 2026-10-18.

These rules are for property outside city and town limits in Boulder County. Source: the county's licensing page. The page also holds older figures from Ordinance 2020-01 that conflict with the current section, so confirm with the county.

• Short-Term Rental (STR): the owner's or tenant's primary residence, generally rented while they live there. The whole unit may be rented up to 45 nights a year while they are away. Historic ADUs are the only eligible accessory unit.
• Vacation Rental (VR): a single-family home rented to one booking party at a time. It is not the owner's primary residence.
• A person or related entity may hold one STR and one VR.

• STRs have no cap and are allowed in subdivisions and all zone districts.
• VR caps: Upper St. Vrain CCD, 194 licenses; Bald Mountain CCD, 83 licenses; Plains CCD, not allowed.
• At a cap, a first-come waitlist applies. Applicants have 30 days to begin after notice.
• VRs are limited to the Forestry and Mountain Institutional districts. They are allowed in subdivisions in Upper St. Vrain CCD and prohibited in subdivisions in Bald Mountain CCD.
• Use the county's eligibility lookup tool before you apply.

• STR: $350 initial, $250 renewal.
• VR: $500 initial, $300 renewal.
• Renewal rates need no confirmed violations or new unpermitted work in the prior two-year term.
• A VR also needs a Change of Use permit from Public Health for septic: $1,000, plus a septic inspection report and a tank pumping receipt.
• The page does not address taxes.

• Occupancy: up to eight people or the septic system's permitted occupancy, whichever is fewer.
• Parking, all on site: STR two spaces; VR two spaces, or one per four approved occupants, whichever is fewer.
• Insurance is required for the full two-year term. Platform per-booking coverage does not count.
• Listings must show the license number, whole home or room, occupancy limit and parking spaces.
• West county Wildfire Zone 1 needs a Wildfire Partners assessment within five years to apply.
• The page states no local contact or trash rule.

1. Review the checklist for your license type.
2. Apply online in the county's Accela portal.
3. Pay the fee and answer requests for more information.
4. A Building Inspector schedules a final inspection.
5. You may advertise only after the license is issued by email.

Processing usually takes four to six weeks. Licenses last two years and cannot be transferred. Contact strlicensing@bouldercounty.gov or 303-441-3930.

A license does not transfer, and VR caps can mean a waitlist. Check eligibility first. Check the property on Boulder County on shinnslist.

Does Allenspark need a county license?

If the property is unincorporated, yes. Boulder County licenses STRs and VRs outside city and town limits.

Is there a cap on vacation rentals?

Yes. 194 in Upper St. Vrain CCD and 83 in Bald Mountain CCD. Plains CCD does not allow them.

Can a license transfer to a buyer?

No. The county says licenses are non-transferable and last two years.

• Boulder County: Short-Term and Vacation Rental Licensing, read October 18, 2026