Short Term Rentals in Fort Collins#
Short term rentals (STRs) refer to rentals offered for less than 30 consecutive days.
The rental can be a whole house, a private room or space in a house, or shared accommodations. There are numerous on-line platforms catering to STRs, the most popular being Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO) and Airbnb.
The City recognizes both primary (owner occupied) and non-primary (not owner occupied) STRs.
The Short-term rental zoning map indicates where Primary and Non-Primary STRs are allowed in Fort Collins. The green areas indicate only Primary STRs and the yellow areas indicate both Primary and Non-Primary STRs. STRs are prohibited in the zones with no color.
Apply for a Short Term Rental License
Interested in applying for a short term rental license?
Before applying, applicants should insure their property is eligible and understand all license and operating requirements.
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STRs are Allowed In#
- Single-Family Dwellings: Including property line townhomes (single-family-attached homes)
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R-1 hotel/motel occupancies which have many code requirements for fire/life/safety.
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If you currently own an R-2 condo/apartment building, it must undergo a change-of-occupancy process from R-2 to R-1 to be utilized as a STR. This would require the entire building meet the current R-1 hotel/motel requirements. Those changes could be high impact in terms of costs and construction, such as the installation of a fire sprinkler system.
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STRs are Not Allowed In#
- Multi-family R-2 buildings: Apartment or condo buildings with 3 or more dwelling units on a single property
Why? The Building Code considers the STR use of the condo/apartment building to be too risky for the renters who are not familiar with the space and trying to exit. Please note there may be a 3 unit building that could be either townhomes or apartments and look the same from the outside but they are not the same. Single-family homes have extra fire wall protection at the property lines and roof areas.
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The Short-term rental zoning map indicates where Primary and Non-Primary STRs are allowed in Fort Collins. The green areas indicate only Primary STRs and the yellow areas indicate both Primary and Non-Primary STRs. STRs are prohibited in the zones with no color.
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The initial STR license fee is $150. Your STR license will need to be renewed each year on or before June 30 regardless of application date, the fee is not prorated. The renewal fee is $100 per year.
In addition to your STR license, you’ll need to apply for a Sales and Lodging Tax License. Third party sites such as AIRBNB do collect BOTH sales and lodging tax from your renters and remit directly to the City under the company’s account.
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In addition to your STR license, you’ll need to apply for a Sales and Lodging Tax License. Third party sites such as AIRBNB do collect BOTH sales and lodging tax from your renters and remit directly to the City under the company’s account.
If you have renters that do not come from a third-party, you must collect the tax from your customer and remit to the City.
- The amount of tax is based on the rate of the room and any cleaning fees you may impose.
- You will receive reminders when returns are due.
If you do not have tax to remit, you still need to file a sales and lodging tax return on your due date.
Most STRs are on an annual filing frequency. You can select this option when you apply for your sales tax license.
If you do not file your tax returns on your due date, you will be charged a $25 assessment fee.
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Short-term rentals must provide off-street parking based on the number of bedrooms rented.
Number of Bedrooms Rented
Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces 1—2 1 3—4 2 5—6 3 Off-street parking must be on private property, like a driveway or garage. It cannot include tandem parking, i.e. you cannot count a garage/driveway where two vehicles can park one behind the other as multiple parking spots.
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Guest Screening:
- Screen each guest by collecting their driver's license and credit card information. Have each guest sign a rental agreement that allows you to post charges for violations of the house rules. This is an effective deterrent against bad behavior.
Rental Agreement:
- Have a rental agreement in place that covers important topics such as parking, noise, occupancy, and trash. Have each guest agree to follow these rules.
Pre-Arrival Forms:
- Before arrival, have the guest complete a form that identifies their reason for visiting and the names of everyone who will be staying in the home. Have the primary guest acknowledge that any visitors not listed on the form can result in eviction with no refunds. Take occupancy rules seriously.
Inspections:
- Conduct inspections of your home before and after each guest stay to ensure that guests are following the house rules and treating your property with respect.
Signage:
- Prominently display signs and labels throughout the home to inform guests of house rules and expectations.
"Zero Tolerance Policy":
- Maintain a contact list for any guests that refuse to follow house rules and/or were disruptive to the community. Do not rent to them again.
Neighbor Communication:
- Provide your direct contact information to neighbors and encourage them to reach out with any issues. Always follow up with complaints promptly and work to resolve any concerns that arise.
Partner with Professionals:
- Consider partnering with a reputable host or professional management agency to efficiently handle all guest issues and neighbor communications. Explore your options and avoid burnout with cleanings, maintenance and laundry.