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

**Yes**, the Town of Estes Park requires a Short-Term Rental License to legally operate. You need to apply for this permit annually, and there is a residential cap of 500 permits. Because of the cap, you may be placed on a waiting list. See Municipal Code Chapter 5.20.

What is the TOT tax rate in Estes Park?

**7% TOT** is the total lodging tax rate for short-term rentals in Estes Park. You are responsible for collecting this tax from guests. The tax is comprised of a 5% Town lodging tax and a 2% Marketing District lodging tax. Ensure compliance to avoid penalties.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Estes Park?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Estes Park, but are strictly regulated. You need to obtain a Short-Term Rental License and comply with all local regulations. The town has a residential cap of 500 permits, which may impact your ability to obtain a license.

How much does an STR permit cost in Estes Park?

**$200** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental License in Estes Park. You need to pay this fee when you apply for or renew your permit. This fee helps the town cover the costs of administering and enforcing the short-term rental regulations.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Estes Park?

**No**, renters are generally not permitted to host on Airbnb in Estes Park. The regulations typically require the property owner to obtain the Short-Term Rental License. Renters should review their lease agreements and local ordinances before listing a property, as it may violate local laws.

Estes Park, CO Short-Term Rental Laws

Summary

Short-term rentals in the Town of Estes Park are strictly regulated under Municipal Code Chapter 5.20 and are subject to an annual license and a residential cap of 500 permits. Hosts must collect a total lodging tax of 7% (5% Town, 2% Marketing District) and adhere to a maximum occupancy of 8 people in residential zones.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 21 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $200
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the Town of Estes Park, you must first secure a Short-Term Rental License and a local sales tax license. Because the town limits the total number of permits available in residential areas, you may need to join a waitlist if the cap of 500 is met. You are required to have a local representative available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 60 minutes. Finally, you must ensure your listing displays your permit number and strictly follows the 8-person occupancy limit.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$200

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify you are in Town limits; 'Estes Park' addresses in unincorporated Larimer County follow completely different county rules.
2.Residential licenses are capped at 500 total town-wide; waitlists are common.
3.Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and 'attainable housing' units are prohibited from being used as STRs.
4.A local representative must be able to respond to the property within 60 minutes of a complaint.
5.Maximum occupancy in residential zones is hard-capped at 8 guests regardless of house size.
6.The 5% lodging tax is separate from the standard sales tax and must be reported quarterly even if platforms remit the funds.
7.Licenses are non-transferable upon sale of the property.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•Estes Park does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
•Estes Park: Residential licenses are subject to a cap; you cannot simply buy a home and start renting without winning the lottery or buying a property with a 'transferable' pre-2021 license.
•Estes Park: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(17)

•Estes Park STR warning: Verify if your property is in the Town or Larimer County; boundary lines are complex and rules differ significantly.
•Estes Park STR warning: Outdoor fires are strictly prohibited at all short-term rentals; violations carry a $1,000 fine.

Application Process(8)

•Estes Park: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Business License Application, Proof of Colorado Sales Tax License, Proof of Liability Insurance, Compliance Inspection Certificate, Neighbor Notification Receipts, Local Representative Agreement.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Estes Park charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $1500 (Includes $50 per bedroom annual fee + $1,460–$1,500 Workforce Housing Linkage Fee (adjusted annually). New applications require a $200 non-refundable fee.).
•Estes Park: The 'Linkage Fee' of $1,460+ is due annually and applies to both hosted and unhosted units.

Taxes(2)

•Colorado has a state sales tax of 2.9% that applies to STR rentals.
•Estes Park charges a Sales and Lodging Tax of 14.2%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO remit State and LMD taxes; however, hosts must verify if the 5% Town Sales Tax is being remitted or if they must handle it manually.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Estes Park occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom + 2, up to 8 max in residential zones. Units with 9+ guests classified as Large Vacation Homes.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Estes Park limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
•Estes Park: Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with a total maximum of 8 in residential zones regardless of house size.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Estes Park requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Operations manual must be visible to guests, Initial compliance inspection by Code Enforcement, Outdoor open fires are prohibited at STRs.

Penalties(3)

•Estes Park: Outdoor fires are strictly prohibited at all short-term rentals; violations carry a $1,000 fine.

Exemptions(3)

•Estes Park exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
•Estes Park: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
•Estes Park: 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.

Estes Park

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(17)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Estes Park

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 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 Estes Park?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Estes Park?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Estes Park?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Estes Park?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Estes Park?

Related Content

Other Colorado Markets

Summit County

Eagle County

La Plata County

Aspen