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

**Yes**, Pagosa Springs requires a Short-Term Rental License for operation. You need to obtain this license annually to legally rent your property for stays under 30 days. Be sure to apply through the city's designated portal and meet all safety requirements. The license costs $750 annually.

What is the TOT tax rate in Pagosa Springs?

**4.9% TOT** is the current tax rate for short-term rentals in Pagosa Springs. You need to collect this tax from guests and remit it to the city on a regular basis. Check with the local finance department for specific filing deadlines and payment methods to remain compliant with local laws.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Pagosa Springs?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Pagosa Springs, but with restrictions. The city has a 15% density cap in residential zones, which may limit the number of available licenses. Check with the city's planning department to confirm zoning and density requirements before starting operations.

How much does an STR permit cost in Pagosa Springs?

**$750** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental License in Pagosa Springs. You need to pay this fee each year to maintain your license and legally operate a short-term rental. Failure to renew your license can result in fines and the suspension of your rental privileges.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Pagosa Springs?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Pagosa Springs. Only property owners are eligible to apply for and obtain a Short-Term Rental License. Subletting or operating an STR without the owner's consent is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

Pagosa Springs

Strict

ColoradoUpdated Apr 1, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% 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 Pagosa Springs strictly regulates short-term rentals through a 15% density cap in residential zones and a mandatory annual licensing process. Hosts must pay a 4.9% city lodging tax and comply with occupancy limits based on bedroom count.

Restriction level

Severity 48

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $750
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Pagosa Springs, you must first apply for a Short-Term Rental License from the Planning Department. Be aware that the city limits the number of rentals in residential areas to 15% of the total housing units, so there may be a waitlist. You will need to provide proof of insurance, pass a fire inspection, and pay an annual fee of at least $750. Once licensed, you are required to post your permit number on all online listings and collect both state and local lodging taxes.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$750

Processing time30-60 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Residential zones have a 15% density cap; no new licenses are issued once this is reached.
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
3The annual fee increases to $1,500 if the property is not used to mitigate workforce housing issues.
4A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
5Maximum occupancy is strictly calculated as 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.
6Properties near city limits must verify they are truly within the City (not unincorporated Archuleta County).

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Pagosa Springs, CO: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Pagosa Springs: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
Pagosa Springs, CO: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements18 rules

Pagosa Springs STR warning: Residential zones have a 15% density cap; no new licenses are issued once this is reached.
Pagosa Springs, CO: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Pagosa Springs, CO: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.

Application process11 rules

Pagosa Springs extended permit requirement: Fee for properties not meeting local workforce housing mitigation requirements
Pagosa Springs: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of ownership, Liability insurance ($500k minimum), Sales and Lodging Tax License, Floor plan with emergency exits, Local property manager contact info.

Fees & costs2 rules

Pagosa Springs charges a registration fee of $750 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $1500 (Fee for properties not meeting local workforce housing mitigation requirements).
Pagosa Springs: The annual fee increases to $1,500 if the property is not used to mitigate workforce housing issues.

Taxes2 rules

Colorado has a state sales tax of 2.9% that applies to STR rentals.
Pagosa Springs charges a Lodging Tax of 4.9%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 4.9% city lodging tax and the 2.9% state/county tax.

Limits & restrictions10 rules

Pagosa Springs, CO: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Pagosa Springs: Residential zones have a 15% density cap; no new licenses are issued once this is reached.
Pagosa Springs, CO occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Pagosa Springs requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Parking plan showing off-street parking, Trash management plan.

Penalties3 rules

Pagosa Springs: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Pagosa Springs, CO: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pagosa Springs: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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

Pagosa Springs

Strict

ColoradoUpdated Apr 1, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% 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

High permit fee: $750
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$750

Processing time30-60 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Residential zones have a 15% density cap; no new licenses are issued once this is reached.
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
3The annual fee increases to $1,500 if the property is not used to mitigate workforce housing issues.
4A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
5Maximum occupancy is strictly calculated as 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.
6Properties near city limits must verify they are truly within the City (not unincorporated Archuleta County).

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Pagosa Springs, CO: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Pagosa Springs: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.
Pagosa Springs, CO: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements18 rules

Pagosa Springs STR warning: Residential zones have a 15% density cap; no new licenses are issued once this is reached.
Pagosa Springs, CO: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Pagosa Springs, CO: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.

Application process11 rules

Pagosa Springs extended permit requirement: Fee for properties not meeting local workforce housing mitigation requirements
Pagosa Springs: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of ownership, Liability insurance ($500k minimum), Sales and Lodging Tax License, Floor plan with emergency exits, Local property manager contact info.

Fees & costs2 rules

Pagosa Springs charges a registration fee of $750 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $1500 (Fee for properties not meeting local workforce housing mitigation requirements).
Pagosa Springs: The annual fee increases to $1,500 if the property is not used to mitigate workforce housing issues.

Taxes2 rules

Colorado has a state sales tax of 2.9% that applies to STR rentals.
Pagosa Springs charges a Lodging Tax of 4.9%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 4.9% city lodging tax and the 2.9% state/county tax.

Limits & restrictions10 rules

Pagosa Springs, CO: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Pagosa Springs: Residential zones have a 15% density cap; no new licenses are issued once this is reached.
Pagosa Springs, CO occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Pagosa Springs requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Parking plan showing off-street parking, Trash management plan.

Penalties3 rules

Pagosa Springs: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Pagosa Springs, CO: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Pagosa Springs: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pagosa Springs?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Pagosa Springs?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Pagosa Springs?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Pagosa Springs?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Pagosa Springs?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Pagosa Springs?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Pagosa Springs?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Pagosa Springs?

Disclaimer