Short-term rental rules in unincorporated Summit County (Keystone), Colorado

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

County rules apply only outside incorporated towns. If a property is inside a town, use that town's rules. The county tells owners to check its Property Search and Mapping Tool for the jurisdiction. Its resort overlay zone page text names some undeveloped portions of Keystone. Check each Keystone address before you rely on county rules. Sources: the county's Short-Term Rentals page and License Application page.

Yes. Renting for fewer than 30 consecutive days needs an STR license before any advertising or operation. You do not have a license until you get an approval email from county planning staff or Host Compliance. Licenses are valid through September 30, and renewal is due by September 30 each year.

• Resort Overlay Zone: the county says there is no limit on licenses. This includes Copper Mountain, Tiger Run Resort and some other areas.
• Neighborhood Overlay Zone: Type II licenses are capped in four basins. The county's January 2026 counts: Lower Blue cap 550 (508 issued), Upper Blue cap 590 (563), Snake River cap 130 (137), Ten Mile cap 20 (24).
• No new Type II applications are being accepted. Type I licenses (for a qualified occupant who lives and works in the county) do not count toward caps.
• Waitlists exist for Lower Blue, Upper Blue and Snake River. The waitlist fee is $75 and non-refundable. Placement does not guarantee a license, and the county gives no time estimate. Only owners can apply. See the STR Waitlist page.
• Details are on the county's STR Regulations page.

• License fees per year: Resort License $295, Type I $240, Type II $360. Renewal costs the full price. Fees are not prorated or refundable.
• Sales tax is paid to the State of Colorado at 6.375%. The state forwards 2% to the county.
• A 2% short-term rental lodging tax applies in unincorporated Summit County since January 1, 2023.
• See the Tax Information page. Sales tax questions: Finance Department, 970-453-3439.

• A Responsible Agent must be reachable 24/7 with a text-enabled phone and has 60 minutes to respond with a plan.
• Listings must show the valid county license number (Ordinance 22, approved September 24, 2024).
• Properties on well water must submit a well permit. A hot tub on a well must show proper augmentation.
• Septic properties need a pumper report from the last 3 years.
• Non-gas outdoor fire pits are not allowed at short-term rentals.
• A conditional use permit is needed in the Resort Overlay Zone for occupancy of 20 or more.

Confirm the property's jurisdiction and bedroom count first. Then apply in the Host Compliance portal using Chrome or Firefox. Incomplete applications are rejected with no refund. Help: str team at 970-668-4186, Planning Department, 0037 Peak One Drive, Frisco.

In a capped basin, a home without a license may have no path to one except the waitlist. Check the county license list and the basin counts. See Summit County on shinnslist.

Do I need a license to rent in unincorporated Summit County?

Yes, for rentals under 30 consecutive days. You must have the license before advertising or operating.

Is there a cap on short-term rental licenses in unincorporated Summit County?

Type II licenses in the Neighborhood Overlay Zone are capped by basin. The Resort Overlay Zone has no limit, per the county.

How much is the county tax on short-term rentals?

Sales tax is 6.375% paid to the state, with 2% forwarded to the county. A separate 2% lodging tax applies in unincorporated areas.

• Summit County: Short-Term Rentals, read October 18, 2026
• Summit County: License Application, read October 18, 2026
• Summit County: STR Regulations, read October 18, 2026
• Summit County: STR Waitlist, read October 18, 2026
• Summit County: Tax Information, read October 18, 2026