Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Aspen?

**Yes**, Aspen requires a Short-Term Rental Permit for all stays under 30 days. You need to apply for an annual permit categorized as Classic, Lodge, or Investment. The permit costs $148 annually. Be aware that stricter regulations were implemented following Measure 2A in 2022. (55 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Aspen?

**11.3% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Aspen. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the City Comptroller's office. A significant STR excise tax (5-10%) was implemented following Measure 2A in 2022, in addition to the TOT. (54 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Aspen?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Aspen, but they are subject to strict regulations. The City of Aspen requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual permit. There is a night cap of 120 nights per year. Stricter rules and a significant STR excise tax were implemented following Measure 2A in 2022. (56 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Aspen?

**The** Short-Term Rental Permit costs $148 in Aspen. The city categorizes permits into three types: Classic, Lodge, or Investment. All short-term rentals must obtain an annual permit. Keep in mind that stricter regulations and a significant STR excise tax (5-10%) were implemented following Measure 2A in 2022. (53 words)

How many nights per year can I rent my property in Aspen?

**You** can rent your property for 120 nights per year in Aspen. The City of Aspen requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual permit. Stricter regulations and a significant STR excise tax (5-10%) were implemented following Measure 2A in 2022, so make sure you are up to date. (53 words)

Aspen

Strict

ColoradoUpdated Apr 5, 2026

Gold-standard verification0% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 48

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate night cap: 120 nights/year
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit120/year

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$148

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your exact location; City of Aspen rules are much stricter than unincorporated Pitkin County.
2The 5% or 10% STR Excise Tax is IN ADDITION to the standard 11.3% lodging/sales tax.
3Investment permits (non-owner occupied) have higher fees and higher tax rates.
4Aspen has a 120-night per year limit on STR stays for certain permits.
5Permits are non-transferable; if the property sells, the new owner must re-apply.
6Deed-restricted or 'affordable housing' units are strictly prohibited from STR use.
7You must provide a local contact who can respond to the property within 60 minutes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility12 rules

Aspen: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Aspen does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Aspen allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family, Condo.
Aspen: Deed-restricted or 'affordable housing' units are strictly prohibited from STR use.

Requirements18 rules

Aspen: Verify your exact location; City of Aspen rules are much stricter than unincorporated Pitkin County.
Aspen STR warning: Aspen has a 120-night per year limit on STR stays for certain permits.
Aspen requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: 500,000. Must provide proof of liability insurance specifically for short-term rentals.

Application process11 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Aspen: Step 1: Verify Zoning and Permit Type - Determine if your property qualifies for a Classic, Lodge, or Investment permit based on occupancy and location. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://aspen.gov/1361/STR-Permit-Types-Fees Step 2: Obtain City Business License - Apply for a general business license which is a prerequisite for the STR permit. Documents needed: Sales tax license. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 150. More info: https://aspen.gov/383/Business-Navigator Step 3: Submit STR Permit Application - Complete the STR-specific application including the required affidavit for Classic permits. Documents needed: Proof of ownership, Local contact info. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 148. More info: https://aspen.gov/1360/Short-Term-Rentals

Fees & costs1 rule

Aspen charges a registration fee of $148 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $394 (STR-Investment permits are $394; STR-Classic/Lodge are $148.).

Taxes4 rules

Colorado has a state sales tax of 2.9% that applies to STR rentals.
Aspen: The 5% or 10% STR Excise Tax is IN ADDITION to the standard 11.3% lodging/sales tax.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Aspen, CO occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Aspen limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests
Aspen limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Aspen: Aspen has a 120-night per year limit on STR stays for certain permits.

Safety requirements1 rule

Aspen requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Snow removal plan, Trash management plan.

Penalties3 rules

Aspen enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: Up to $1,000 per day. Maximum fine: Varies by court ruling. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Aspen: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

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

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Aspen

Strict

ColoradoUpdated Apr 5, 2026

Gold-standard verification0% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 48

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate night cap: 120 nights/year
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit120/year

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$148

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your exact location; City of Aspen rules are much stricter than unincorporated Pitkin County.
2The 5% or 10% STR Excise Tax is IN ADDITION to the standard 11.3% lodging/sales tax.
3Investment permits (non-owner occupied) have higher fees and higher tax rates.
4Aspen has a 120-night per year limit on STR stays for certain permits.
5Permits are non-transferable; if the property sells, the new owner must re-apply.
6Deed-restricted or 'affordable housing' units are strictly prohibited from STR use.
7You must provide a local contact who can respond to the property within 60 minutes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility12 rules

Aspen: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Aspen does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Aspen allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family, Condo.
Aspen: Deed-restricted or 'affordable housing' units are strictly prohibited from STR use.

Requirements18 rules

Aspen: Verify your exact location; City of Aspen rules are much stricter than unincorporated Pitkin County.
Aspen STR warning: Aspen has a 120-night per year limit on STR stays for certain permits.
Aspen requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: 500,000. Must provide proof of liability insurance specifically for short-term rentals.

Application process11 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Aspen: Step 1: Verify Zoning and Permit Type - Determine if your property qualifies for a Classic, Lodge, or Investment permit based on occupancy and location. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://aspen.gov/1361/STR-Permit-Types-Fees Step 2: Obtain City Business License - Apply for a general business license which is a prerequisite for the STR permit. Documents needed: Sales tax license. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 150. More info: https://aspen.gov/383/Business-Navigator Step 3: Submit STR Permit Application - Complete the STR-specific application including the required affidavit for Classic permits. Documents needed: Proof of ownership, Local contact info. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 148. More info: https://aspen.gov/1360/Short-Term-Rentals

Fees & costs1 rule

Aspen charges a registration fee of $148 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $394 (STR-Investment permits are $394; STR-Classic/Lodge are $148.).

Taxes4 rules

Colorado has a state sales tax of 2.9% that applies to STR rentals.
Aspen: The 5% or 10% STR Excise Tax is IN ADDITION to the standard 11.3% lodging/sales tax.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Aspen, CO occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Aspen limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests
Aspen limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Aspen: Aspen has a 120-night per year limit on STR stays for certain permits.

Safety requirements1 rule

Aspen requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Snow removal plan, Trash management plan.

Penalties3 rules

Aspen enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: Up to $1,000 per day. Maximum fine: Varies by court ruling. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Aspen: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

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

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Aspen?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Aspen?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Aspen?

5How many nights per year can I rent my property in Aspen?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Aspen?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Aspen?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Aspen?

5How many nights per year can I rent my property in Aspen?

Disclaimer