Colorado Springs short-term rental regulations & permits
Thinking about renting your Colorado Springshome on Airbnb or Vrbo? Here's a plain-English overview of the local short-term rental rules — permits, taxes, and what to watch for — plus how Renjoy keeps owners compliant.
Last reviewed June 2026 · Source: City of Colorado Springs
The short version
- Every short-term rental in Colorado Springs needs a city STR permit.
- Two types: owner-occupied (allowed more widely) and non-owner-occupied (limited by zone).
- Non-owner-occupied STRs must meet a 500-foot separation rule from other non-owner-occupied STRs.
- You must register for and remit lodging + sales taxes (LART, city, county, state).
- Permits renew annually — and operating without one carries fines.
The rules in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs requires a short-term rental permit, with different rules for owner-occupied versus non-owner-occupied properties and density limits in certain residential zones. Renjoy handles your permit application, lodging-tax registration and remittance, and ongoing compliance — so your rental stays legal and penalty-free while you stay hands-off.
Owner-occupied
The short-term rental is your primary residence. These are permitted more broadly across the city's residential zones.
Non-owner-occupied
An investment property you don't live in. Only allowed in certain zoning districts and capped by density, including the 500-foot separation rule.
The 500-foot separation rule
In residential zones, a new non-owner-occupied STR generally can't be within 500 feet of another non-owner-occupied STR. Because supply is capped this way, two identical homes on the same street can have very different eligibility — confirm before you buy or list.
Getting compliant in Colorado Springs
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Check your zoning and any density limits in Colorado Springs. Some El Paso County jurisdictions restrict where short-term rentals can operate.
- 2
Apply for your Colorado Springs STR permit
Submit the short-term rental permit application to the relevant authority, with the required documents (proof of ownership, a local contact, insurance).
- 3
Register for lodging & sales tax
Set up your tax accounts and register to collect the applicable lodging and sales taxes before you take bookings.
- 4
Meet the safety & operating standards
Post your permit info, provide smoke/CO detectors and a fire extinguisher, designate a local contact, and follow occupancy and parking limits.
- 5
Renew and keep records current
Keep your insurance, local contact, and tax filings current so your permit stays active — most jurisdictions renew annually.
Lodging & sales taxes
STR operators register with the city and collect and remit the Colorado Springs Lodgers & Automobile Rental Tax (LART), city sales tax, and applicable county and state sales taxes. Current rates are on the city's short-term rental and sales-tax pages.
Tax rates change and vary by district — or let Renjoy handle registration and remittance for you.
We keep your rental compliant
Renjoy handles your Colorado Springs permit, lodging-tax registration and remittance, and ongoing compliance — so your rental stays legal and penalty-free while you stay completely hands-off.
Colorado Springs STR regulation FAQs
An owner-occupied STR is your primary residence and is allowed more broadly across the city. A non-owner-occupied STR is an investment property you don't live in — it's only permitted in certain zones and is subject to the 500-foot separation rule.
In residential zones, a new non-owner-occupied short-term rental generally can't be located within 500 feet of another non-owner-occupied STR. This density limit means eligibility depends on what's already permitted nearby.
Colorado Springs requires a short-term rental permit, with different rules for owner-occupied versus non-owner-occupied properties and density limits in certain residential zones. Renjoy handles your permit application, lodging-tax registration and remittance, and ongoing compliance — so your rental stays legal and penalty-free while you stay hands-off.
STR operators register with the city and collect and remit the Colorado Springs Lodgers & Automobile Rental Tax (LART), city sales tax, and applicable county and state sales taxes. Current rates are on the city's short-term rental and sales-tax pages.
Yes. As part of full-service management, Renjoy handles your Colorado Springs permit, lodging-tax registration and remittance, and ongoing compliance — so your rental stays legal and penalty-free while you stay hands-off.
This guide is a general overview for informational purposes and isn't legal advice. Short-term rental rules, fees, and tax rates change — always verify current requirements with the City of Colorado Springs before you operate. Last reviewed June 2026.