What zoning rules apply to STRs in Fort Collins?

Primary residence requirement: You must live in the home for 9+ months per year for most residential zones.

What should Fort Collins hosts know about prohibited in all multi-family buildings?

Prohibited in all Multi-family buildings (3+ units) like condos and apartments.

What should Fort Collins hosts know about adus (accessory dwelling units) cannot?

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) cannot be used as STRs.

What are the key requirements for Fort Collins hosts?

Tandem parking (one car behind another) does not count toward the mandatory off-street parking requirements.

What should Fort Collins hosts know about only the property owner is?

Only the property owner is allowed to apply for and hold an STR license; tenants cannot host.

Fort Collins Short-Term Rental Regulations & Licensing Guide

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 9, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals in Fort Collins are permitted only in specific zones and generally require the property to be the owner's primary residence in residential areas.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 91 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Standard permit fee: $150
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To host an STR in Fort Collins, your property must be in an allowed zone, and in most residential areas, it must be your primary home where you live at least 9 months a year. You must obtain both a Sales and Lodging Tax License and an STR License, and you are required to provide dedicated off-street parking for guests. Rentals in multi-family buildings with 3 or more units (like most condos and apartments) and ADUs are strictly prohibited.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Max Fine

$2,830

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Primary residence requirement: You must live in the home for 9+ months per year for most residential zones.
2.Prohibited in all Multi-family buildings (3+ units) like condos and apartments.
3.ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) cannot be used as STRs.
4.Tandem parking (one car behind another) does not count toward the mandatory off-street parking requirements.
5.Only the property owner is allowed to apply for and hold an STR license; tenants cannot host.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Fort Collins requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Must be the host's primary residence for at least 9 months per year for 'Primary' license types.
•Fort Collins allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Detached, Duplex (one side if owner lives on lot), Townhouse.

Requirements(13)

•Fort Collins: You must live at the property for at least 9 months per year to qualify as primary residence.
•Fort Collins: Hosts must report their rental activity annual to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
•Fort Collins: Primary residence requirement: You must live in the home for 9+ months per year for most residential zones.

Application Process(8)

•Fort Collins extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee due by June 30

Fees & Costs(1)

•Fort Collins charges a registration fee of $150 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Annual renewal fee due by June 30).

Taxes(2)

•Fort Collins charges a City Lodging Tax of 0.03%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit both City Sales and Lodging tax directly to the City.
•Colorado has a state sales tax of 0.029% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Fort Collins limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Fort Collins enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
•Fort Collins: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Fort Collins occupancy calculation: Limited by parking and total occupancy (U+2) rules. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Fort Collins requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Self-inspection checklist required, Egress windows in sleeping areas, Functional heating (68F min).

Penalties(3)

•Fort Collins enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Voluntary compliance request followed by fine. Second offense: $1000+. Third offense: Revocation of license. Daily fine: $2830 per day. Maximum fine: 2830. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
•Fort Collins: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.

Exemptions(2)

•Fort Collins exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts.
•Fort Collins: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Colorado Markets

Summit County

Colorado

Moderate

Unincorporated Summit County has strictly regulated STRs via a two-tier overlay system: 'Resort' zones have unlimited permits, while 'Neighborhood' zones are subject to strict precinct caps and a 35-night annual rental limit. All hosts must obtain an annual permit and collect a 2% STR Excise Tax in addition to standard sales taxes.

Permit requiredNight limits

0.1% total tax

Eagle County

Colorado

Moderate

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Eagle County require an annual license and are subject to a 2% County Lodging Tax. The regulations, established in 2022, focus on parking, life safety, and ensuring a local contact is available to respond to complaints within 60 minutes.

Permit required

0.0% total tax

La Plata County

Colorado

Moderate

Short-term rentals in unincorporated La Plata County require a Vacation Rental Permit and must comply with Chapter 90, Article IV of the Land Use Code. Permits are tied to specific occupancy limits based on septic capacity and require wildfire mitigation and bear-proof trash containment.

Permit required

0.0% total tax

Aspen

Colorado

Strict

The City of Aspen requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual permit categorized into three types: Classic, Lodge, or Investment. Stricter regulations and a significant STR excise tax (5-10%) were implemented following Measure 2A in 2022.

Permit requiredNight limits

0.2% total tax

Fort Collins

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Colorado Markets

Summit County

Eagle County

La Plata County

Aspen

Fort Collins

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Fort Collins?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Fort Collins?

3What are the primary residence requirements for hosts?

4Are there specific property restrictions in Fort Collins?

Related Content

Other Colorado Markets

Summit County

Eagle County

La Plata County

Aspen