Denver, CO

Host License Requirement

If you host guests for 30 days or more at a time, please apply for a Residential Rental Property License.

If you host guests for 1 to 29 days at a time, you are required to add a short-term rental license number to your listing.

• Step 1: Obtain a Lodger’s Tax ID from the City of Denver
• Step 2: Obtain a Short Term Rental License from the City of Denver
• Step 3: Once you receive your short term rental license, add the number to your Airbnb listing

Government Contact Information

We recommend reviewing these general FAQs.

For specific questions, contact the City of Denver at licenses@denvergov.org.

License Eligibility

Who is eligible to register?

Only primary residences are eligible to register.

The City of Denver defines primary residence as “the place in which a person’s habitation is fixed for the term of license and is the person’s usual place of return”. Per Denver ordinances, a person can only have one primary residence.

If you are not the property owner, you will need permission from the property owner to operate short-term rentals there.

Registration Process

How long does the registration process take?

Entire registration process is all done online. It can take between 7-10 business days, but can vary depending on the number of applications. 

Contact licenses@denvergov.org for the latest registration time estimate.

How much does registration cost?

Total registration cost is $150.

Is there a registration step by step guide?

Here is a registration step by step video tutorial. See below for a summary.

Step 1: Get a Lodger’s Tax ID from Treasury Department

• Pro tip: While you are required to have a Lodger Tax ID number, Airbnb automatically collects the Lodger tax on short term rental bookings.

Step 2: Create an account with Denver’s Permitting and Licensing Center

• Video tutorial

Step 3: Upload documents online

Documents required include:

• Colorado driver’s license or Colorado identification card
• At least 2 of the following:
  1. Proof of valid motor vehicle registration
  2. Proof of voter registration
  3. Federal or state tax returns or other financial documentation
  4. A utility bill

Pro tips

• Name and address listed on each document must match name/address used in application
• All online documents submitted must be a pdf or jpeg (not heic format)
  • In some cases, you might need to combine documents and upload them in a single .pdf. You can use a free, online tool to merge documents into a single file.
• Use numbers or letters but not characters such as symbols (/ ? < > \ : * | “ ^) or spaces that could cause complications.
  • For example:
    1. Good filename: drivers-license-name-2022.pdf
    2. Bad filename: last name/ id.pdf

Step 4: Pay $150 registration fee

Step 5: Upload license number to your Airbnb listing

Can I check on the status of my application?

You can check the status of your application by following this guide or watching this video tutorial.

Relevant Host Information

Insurance

You need to have general liability insurance to receive a Short-Term Rental business license. Check the Denver Short-Term Rental Licensing page to learn about additional local insurance requirements.

Safety

All short-term rentals must provide a rental packet containing contact information for the host and a local responsible party, safety information, as well as relevant rules and restrictions. Denver requires every listing to have an operable smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher.

Taxes

Airbnb collects and pays the Denver’s Lodger’s Tax on your behalf. The 10.75% tax applies to the listing price and any cleaning fees within the first 29 nights of any reservation.

The Denver Treasury Division has more information about taxes for short term rentals.

Airbnb has detailed information about state and local taxes for Hosts available in our Tax Help Center.

Other Host Resources

• Safety & Airbnb
• Airbnb Resource Center to help you become your best Host
• Denver area Airbnb & Short-Term Host Facebook Group