STR Rule Watch

Short-Term Rental Laws in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)

RestrictedRestricted

Colorado Springs requires an annual Short Term Rental Permit ($124.95 per listing) for all rentals under 30 days. Owner-occupied STRs are allowed wherever residential units are permitted, but non-owner-occupied STRs (applications after Dec 26, 2019) are prohibited in single-family zoning districts and must be at least 500 feet from another non-owner-occupied STR elsewhere. Since June 30, 2025, properties with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) cannot hold an STR permit, and guests pay 8.20% combined sales tax plus a 2.0% city lodgers tax.

✓ Last verified July 21, 2026 · 9 official sources

Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 9 official sources. How we verify data

Colorado Springs STR rules at a glance

Key short-term rental facts for Colorado Springs
Legal statusRestricted
Permit requiredYes
Permit nameShort Term Rental Permit
Permit fee$124.95
RenewalAnnual
Owner occupancy requiredNo
Primary residence onlyNo
Total occupancy taxes~10.2% of gross revenue
InsuranceProof of at least $500,000 in liability insurance is required with the permit application; proof may be provided via a hosting platform contract acknowledging coverage through the platform (e.g., Airbnb/Vrbo), policy information, or other sources.
EnforcementPermit applications must designate a 24-hour contact (owner, property manager, or agent within El Paso County, or a Colorado Springs resident) able to respond within one hour in an emergency.
Current rules effective2025-06-30

What will guests pay in taxes on a Colorado Springs stay?

Itemized occupancy taxes for Colorado Springs, CO — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.

Colorado Springs occupancy tax calculator

Gross rent$450.00
Colorado state sales tax (2.9%)· usually collected by platform$13.05
El Paso County sales tax (1.23%)· usually collected by platform$5.54
Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) sales tax (1%)· usually collected by platform$4.50
City of Colorado Springs sales tax (3.07%)· collection varies$13.82
City of Colorado Springs lodgers tax (LART lodging portion) (2%)· collection varies$9.00
Total tax (10.2%)$45.90
Guest pays$495.90

Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.

Permits & licensing

Colorado Springs requires Short Term Rental Permit to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $124.95, renewed annually.

$124.95 per listing, paid annually; each listing on a property requires a separate permit application and fee. Some secondary sources report a slightly lower renewal fee (~$119), but the city's official STR page states $124.95 annually; the renewal variant could not be verified on an official source.

Zoning & location rules

STRs are an accessory use allowed in lawful dwelling units in zones where residential units are permitted. Applicants elect an owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied permit. Owner-occupied STRs (owner resides at least 185 days/year) are allowed in any zone permitting residential use. Non-owner-occupied STR applications submitted after 12/26/2019 are not permitted in single-family zoning districts (R-E, R-1 6, R-1 9, and single-family PDZs) and must be at least 500 feet from another non-owner-occupied STR in all other zoning districts. Listings per property are capped by zone: one in single-family districts, two in R-2, up to four in multi-family districts; in a condominium complex (or similar common ownership), each owner may operate a maximum of two STRs within the complex. Maximum overnight occupancy is 2 occupants per bedroom plus 2 per dwelling unit, capped at 15. Since 6/30/2025, properties with an ADU cannot receive an STR permit.

Taxes

TaxRateWho collects
Colorado state sales taxApplies to lodging under 30 consecutive days. Marketplace facilitators (Airbnb/Vrbo) are required to collect and remit state and state-administered sales taxes; hosts taking direct bookings must collect and remit themselves.2.9%platform
El Paso County sales taxState-administered county sales tax; collected by marketplace facilitators for platform bookings.1.23%platform
Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) sales taxState-administered special district sales tax; collected by marketplace facilitators for platform bookings.1%platform
City of Colorado Springs sales taxHome-rule city tax. Per the city's STR page, marketplace facilitators are required to collect and remit the city sales tax; hosts who take direct bookings must obtain a City Sales Tax License and remit directly. Combined sales tax rate in the city is 8.20%.3.07%varies
City of Colorado Springs lodgers tax (LART lodging portion)Additional 2.0% lodgers tax on lodging under 30 consecutive days, reported on the city sales tax return (LART also includes a 1% auto rental tax, not applicable to STRs). STR owners must pay LART like other transient lodging; remitted to the city, either by the platform where it collects city taxes or directly by the host.2%varies

Enforcement & penalties

Permit applications must designate a 24-hour contact (owner, property manager, or agent within El Paso County, or a Colorado Springs resident) able to respond within one hour in an emergency. Owner-occupied permittees must prove primary residence (two of: driver's license/state ID, vehicle registration, voter registration, dependent's school registration; mail does not count). There is no grace period for late renewals; lapses can trigger Code Enforcement action. Repeat-offender provisions apply under UDC Section 7.5.907 (Penalties), and an owner who has had an STR permit revoked within the preceding two years is ineligible. Program contact: shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov, 719-385-5982.

Operating an STR without a valid permit is unlawful. Failure to renew may result in a Code Enforcement notice and, for non-owner-occupied units, potential forfeiture of the established permit (a significant penalty since new non-owner-occupied permits are barred in single-family zones and subject to 500-foot spacing elsewhere). Permits may be revoked, and a prior revocation within two years bars a new permit. Specific fine dollar amounts are not published on the city's official STR materials and could not be verified from a primary source.

⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.

Getting legal in Colorado Springs: the playbook

Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.

  1. 1

    Verify your zoning

    Location rules apply: STRs are an accessory use allowed in lawful dwelling units in zones where residential units are permitted. Applicants elect an owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied permit. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying — the full zoning rules are detailed above.

  2. 2

    Check the covenant layer

    HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.

  3. 3

    Apply for the Short Term Rental Permit

    Budget $124.95, renewed annually. 95 per listing, paid annually; each listing on a property requires a separate permit application and fee. Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.

  4. 4

    Line up required insurance

    Proof of at least $500,000 in liability insurance is required with the permit application; proof may be provided via a hosting platform contract acknowledging coverage through the platform (e.g., Airbnb/Vrbo), policy information, or other sources.

  5. 5

    Set up tax collection & remittance

    Platforms don't collect everything here: City of Colorado Springs sales tax (3.07%), City of Colorado Springs lodgers tax (LART lodging portion) (2%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.

  6. 6

    Calendar the renewal before you forget it

    This permit renews annually (budget $124.95 again). Most cities take weeks to process renewals and don't send reminders — our Host plan emails you at 60/30/7 days out.

  7. 7

    Know the cost of getting it wrong

    Operating an STR without a valid permit is unlawful. Failure to renew may result in a Code Enforcement notice and, for non-owner-occupied units, potential forfeiture of the established permit (a significant penalty since new non-owner-occupied permits are barred in single-family zones and subject to 500-foot spacing elsewhere). Full enforcement details and penalties are covered above.

Recent rule changes in Colorado Springs

  1. June 30, 2025material

    Properties with ADUs barred from holding STR permits

    Under the city's accessory dwelling unit ordinance, as of 6/30/2025 properties with an ADU are not permitted to have an STR permit. Properties where both an ADU and a permitted STR existed before that date may continue as nonconforming uses.

    Official source →

Frequently asked questions

›Is Airbnb legal in Colorado Springs?

Airbnb is legal in Colorado Springs, CO, but with significant restrictions — check the zoning and eligibility rules on this page before listing. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Colorado Springs?

Yes. Colorado Springs requires a Short Term Rental Permit to operate a short-term rental, which costs $124.95 and must be renewed annually. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›How much does a Colorado Springs short-term rental permit cost?

The Short Term Rental Permit costs $124.95 (annual renewal). $124.95 per listing, paid annually; each listing on a property requires a separate permit application and fee. Some secondary sources report a slightly lower renewal fee (~$119), but the city's official STR page states $124.95 annually; the renewal variant could not be verified on an official source.

›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Colorado Springs?

Yes — Colorado Springs does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Colorado Springs?

Hosts in Colorado Springs are subject to: Colorado state sales tax (2.9%), El Paso County sales tax (1.23%), Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) sales tax (1%), City of Colorado Springs sales tax (3.07%), City of Colorado Springs lodgers tax (LART lodging portion) (2%) — roughly 10.2% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.

›Do I need insurance to run a short-term rental in Colorado Springs?

Proof of at least $500,000 in liability insurance is required with the permit application; proof may be provided via a hosting platform contract acknowledging coverage through the platform (e.g., Airbnb/Vrbo), policy information, or other sources. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in Colorado Springs?

Yes — the listed taxes (Colorado state sales tax, El Paso County sales tax, Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) sales tax) are collected and remitted by the platform in Colorado Springs. Confirm in your platform tax settings, since collection agreements change.

›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Colorado Springs?

Operating an STR without a valid permit is unlawful. Failure to renew may result in a Code Enforcement notice and, for non-owner-occupied units, potential forfeiture of the established permit (a significant penalty since new non-owner-occupied permits are barred in single-family zones and subject to 500-foot spacing elsewhere). See the enforcement section on this page for full details.

›When did Colorado Springs's current short-term rental rules take effect?

The current ordinance took effect on June 30, 2025. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.

Colorado Springs's STR rules changed 1 time recently.

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This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Colorado Springs and a qualified professional before operating.

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