Lodging Facilities In Residential Dwellings

Short-term Rental (STR)
A principal dwelling rented to transient guests who are part of one party for short-term lodging (30 days or less) when not occupied by the owner/operator. The term “party” as used in this definition shall mean one or more persons who stay at a short-term rental as a single group pursuant to a single reservation and payment. A short-term rental shall be limited to 10 or fewer guests who are part of one party or single group of renters. 

Hosted Short-term Rental
A principal dwelling occupied by a full-time resident or owner living on-site where short-term lodging (30 days or less) is provided to transient guests. 
1-10 Guests (Small) -  A hosted short-term rental that serves 10 or fewer guests. 
11-16 Guests (Large) - A hosted short-term rental that serves more than 10 guests, with a maximum of 16 guests.

Bed and Breakfast Inn
An establishment operated in a principal dwelling or portion thereof, which provides transient accommodations for a fee to overnight guests, a meal limited to guests only, and that is occupied by the owner or operator of such establishment. A bed and breakfast inn may provide accommodations to individuals or multiple separate parties concurrently on both a reservation or a walk-in basis. The term “party” as used in this definition shall mean one or more persons who stay at a bed and breakfast inn as a single group pursuant to a single reservation and payment. A Bed and Breakfast Inn shall be limited to 20 of fewer guests. 

Resort Lodge/Resort Cottage
A building or group of buildings, under single management and ownership with an onsite manager or staff, containing rooms and/or units available for temporary rental to transient guests, which serves as a destination point for visitors, and where the primary attraction is major recreational features or activities for persons on vacation.

Application Information for Lodging Facilities

A pre-application meeting is required before applying for any lodging facility use. If you would like to verify the planning process required or a properties eligibility before requesting a pre-application meeting, please email the On Call Planner at planning@larimer.org

Visit the Building Division's webpage for information including How the Process Works, Life Safety Inspection Checklist, and Bed & Breakfast Information.

All dwellings used as short-term rentals (rented for 30 days or less), owner- or operator-occupied lodging houses (hosted short term rentals/B&Bs), pre-existing lodging facilities (PELFs) or resort lodge cottages in unincorporated Larimer County must obtain a county building permit for conversion to the new use, pass a life safety survey inspection and receive a Certificate of Occupancy for the new use. With 10 or fewer occupants (five or fewer guestrooms), these uses can be reviewed under the International Residential Code. With 11 or more occupants, they are reviewed under the International Building Code as R (residential) occupancies. Large Hosted STRs/B&Bs require fire suppression sprinklers, accessibility and other features.

The life safety inspection cannot be scheduled until you have an issued conversion permit, and the County approved plans and permit card are on site at the location of the rental. You can schedule your life safety inspection via the online customer portal (preferred) or the automated phone system (the information for both will be on your permit card). An adult must be at the rental unit at the time of inspection to give access to the inspector.

Here is detailed information about what is included in the Life Safety Inspection. 

Renewal Information for Approved Lodging Facilities

The following forms are fillable PDFs. Please email completed forms to PlanningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us.

Renewal Forms

Renewal is required every other year on the anniversary of the original approval or license date. Each owner is required to submit a complete and signed form.

License Renewal for a Short-Term Rental Owned by One or More Individuals
License Renewal for a Short-Term Rental Owned by a Business or a Trust

Property Manager Forms

The Property Manager's contact information shall be provided to all neighbors within a minimum 500 feet of the rental. A Verification of Completion form must be submitted within 10 days of approval.

Instructions on How to Generate a Mailing List
Verification of Completion Form


A Change of Property Manager Form must be submitted within 10 days of a change of Property Manager or a change in the Property Manager's information.
Change of Property Manager Form

Transfer a Short-Term Rental License

The transfer of a Short-Term Rental License from the current property owner to a new property owner is only allowed under certain conditions, which are outlined in the Larimer County Land Use Code: Article 3 - Use Regulations.
Article 3 - Use Regulations

If you believe you qualify to transfer a Short-Term Rental License, you must contact us to verify. Email PlanningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us or call (970) 498-7683.
If staff confirms the Short-Term Rental License is eligible to transfer, the new owner(s) will be emailed an application. There is currently no fee to transfer a Short-Term Rental License.

People reviewing a document together in an office.Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Any advertising listing a Short-term Rental for rent or published to solicit a Short-term Rental for rent, without prior approval, is a violation of this Ordinance and will be subject to fines, increased fees and injunction proceedings.

 

Second Amended Ordinance for Enforcement of Short-Term Rental Regulations

 

Complaint Process

Short-Term Rentals uses a "Three Strike" system. Once 3 valid complaints are received, a code compliance case will be initiated and the STR approval will be reviewed.

First, use the Approved Lodging Facility Map to locate the phone number for the Property Manager of the Short-term Rental (STR). Reach out to the Property Manager with your complaint or concern.

If the Property Manager does not respond, use the below options to inform Larimer County.

 

To file a Short-Term Rental complaint

  • Submit a Short-Term Rental complaint online.
  • Submit a Short-Term Rental complaint by phone (970) 236-7574.

Short-term Rental complaints handled by other departments:

  • For noise complaints contact the Larimer County Sheriff's non-emergency number (970) 416-1985
  • For wildlife complaints not related to the Larimer County Wildlife Protection Ordinance:
    • Estes Valley Planning Area:
      • Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife Officer Chase Ryland Phone: (970) 652-0591.
    • Larimer County Unincorporated outside of the Estes Valley Planning Area:
      • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regional Office – Fort Collins – Phone: (970) 472-4300.

 

See our Code Compliance website for general information not related to Lodging Facilities in Residential Dwellings & other FAQs.


FAQs

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  1. Can I use my property as a short-term rental?

    You must obtain a short-term rental license for your property before renting short-term (30 days or less). Verify your properties eligibility with the On Call Planner - include the parcel number and/or address and let us know you'd like to confirm eligibility to apply for an STR license

    This handout can be used for general information about if a property is eligible to apply for a short-term rental license. 

  2. Do I need approval to list my house on Airbnb or VRBO?

    Yes, you must obtain a license before advertising and/or operating your home as a short-term lodging facility (rentals 30 days or less). 

    This does not include rentals longer than 30 days. Please contact the On Call Planner at planning@larimer.org for more information. 

  3. How do I request a pre-application meeting?
    Please submit a pre-application meeting request through our online portal!  

    Step 1: Create an account or login to an existing account 
    Step 2: Navigate to the planning pre-application request form (apply--> plans--> planning pre-application) 
    Step 3: Submit your request - be sure to attach a proposal description and other applicable documents

    Once your request has been submitted, it will be assigned to a planner. Your assigned planner will reach out (within 7-10 days) to schedule the pre-application meeting with you. Please note: we are currently booking pre-application meetings roughly 2-3 months out.  

     
    If you would like more information on the pre-application process and what to expect, please visit our website.

    Helpful tips:
  4. Can I have more than one short-term rental on a property?

    No, only one short-term rental is allowed on a property (Article 3.3.5.B of the Land Use Code). 

    If you are interested in opening a resort lodge/resort cottage, please contact the On Call Planner. Resort Lodge/Resort Cottages require planning approval and must have an onsite manager present. 

  5. Is there a waitlist for short-term rental licenses?

    Currently there is a waitlist for short-term rentals in the Estes Valley Residential Zone Districts (EV E, EV E-1, EV R, EV RE, EV RE-1, and EV RM). Operating licenses for short-term rentals in Estes Valley residential zoning districts shall be held at a maximum total (“cap”) of 208 registrations in effect at any given time. The County maintains a waiting list for interested applicants. Wait list spots are nontransferable. Contact the On Call Planner for more information.

    All other zoning districts are not subject to a waitlist for short-term rental licenses, but you must obtain a license before renting.

  6. I would like to purchase a property with an existing short-term rental license. Is this possible?

    It depends, some licenses are eligible to transfer. Transferability of short-term rental licenses are governed by the Larimer County Land Use Code. Please contact us to confirm a property's license transfer eligibility. 

Contact Planning Division

200 W. Oak Street, Third Floor
Fort Collins, CO 80521

Mon:  8am - 4pm
Tue:   8am - 4pm
W:    10am - 4pm 
Thu:  8am -  4pm  
Fri:    8am -  4pm

Email the on call planner:
planning@larimer.org

OR

Leave us a detailed voicemail:
(970) 498-7679

Email Wireless Communication Team
Planning Division Directory