Short Term Rental Regulations and Permitting

COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION for Short Term Rentals Click here

NEW FEES FOR 2023 PERMIT SEASON

On October 4, 2022, the County Commissioners approved an increase in Short Term Rental Permit fees for 2023 Permits.  The fee for 2023-season Permits will be $500.

DEADLINE FOR PERMIT RENEWALS, Jan. 1, 2023: If you have a valid Permit for 2022, you will receive a notice in October reminding you to renew your Permit for the 2023 season.  The deadline to renew is Jan. 1, 2023.  If you wish to renew for 2023, please do so prior to January 1, 2023 or you risk losing your Permit to a new applicant currently on the waiting list.

HOW TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST.  Currently, all 160 permits are taken up and there is a waiting list for new STRs.  As of November 2022, the waiting list consists of around 5 to 10 applicants at any give time.  If you want to get on the waiting list for a Permit, please apply for a 2022 Permit online (link below).

WHAT IS A STR?  A short-term rental is the nightly or weekly rentals of residential units, or parts of residential units including, but not limited to; single family dwellings, duplexes, multi-family dwellings, townhomes, condominiums, mobile homes, or similar dwellings listed for rent, oftentimes on various hosting sites including VRBO, Airbnb, Craigslist, Homeaway, Flipkey, etc.  Temporary structures or camping structures like yurts, tents, tent type structures or RVs cannot be used as short term rentals.

4.5% Cap:  No more than 4.5% of the total number of residences in unincorporated Clear Creek County, in any given year, may receive a 'non-primary residence' STR Permit.  With a total count of 3577 residential units, this means 161 Permits are available for issuance for the 2023 year.

If you are applying for a STR Permit for your primary residence, this type of Permit is exempt from the cap.  When you apply for a 'primary residence' Permit, you will be asked to submit two pieces of evidence that prove primary residency; 1) a driver's license OR Colorado state identification card, and 2) voter registration, motor vehicle registration or designated residence for tax purposes (found on your federal tax return).  A STR permit for a primary residence is good for two (2) years instead of one.

Please read The Short Term Rental Regulations (PDF) here.  These Regulations are intended to assure that short term rentals meet minimum health and safety guidelines, and minimize impacts to residential neighbors.

Permit Fees:  $500 for an annual permit.  A new non-primary resident permit must be obtained each calendar year (primary resident permits are good for two (2) years).  A Permit is only good for the calendar year it is issued.  A permit is required for each separate STR unit that is advertised.

Apply for, or renew your Short Term Rental Permit on the STR PERMITTING WEBSITE here.

IF YOU RECENTLY RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING YOUR SHORT TERM RENTAL AND NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE EMAIL SUPPORT.

Building Safety:  As part of your Short Term Rental Application, you are required to certify that certain Building Safety elements are in place.  See the list HERE.  The Chief Building Official may require an inspection to verify these safety items.  If one is required, an Inspection fee of $100.00 will be charged per inspection.

Sales and Lodging Tax Collection: Short-term rental owners are required to collect Lodging and Sales Tax from their guests and remit payment to the Colorado Department of Revenue. See Tax Information for Short Term Rentals

Evidence of Legal Water Supply and Sewage Treatment Required: Evidence of a legal water supply and sewage disposal method is required as part of your permit application.  If the residence uses a well and/or septic system, evidence may come in the form of the current well permit and onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) Permit for the property.  If an unsuitable or undocumented OWTS is being used, additional upgrading or replacement of the OWTS may be required to bring it into compliance with environmental health codes.

If an unsuitable or undocumented water supply is being used, additional steps may be required to come into compliance with the requirements of the Colorado Division of Water Resources.  Auxiliary Living Spaces (accessory dwelling units) cannot be rented per Guideline 2016-1.

Complaints and Enforcement: If you feel that a residence is being used as a short term rental in violation of these Regulations, you may file a complaint here with Code Enforcement and we will investigate the use of the property.

For additional information concerning the regulations:
The Clear Creek County Planning Department 
Phone: (303) 679-2430
Email the Planning Department