How to get a short-term rental permit in Steamboat Springs, CO (2026)
Steamboat Springs requires Short-Term Rental License (also Hosted Short-Term Rental License and Temporary Short-Term Rental License) — the fee is $350, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental License (also Hosted Short-Term Rental License and Temporary Short-Term Rental License) |
| Permit fee | $350 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. The city regulates STRs through a three-zone STR Overlay (Ordinance 2890, adopted 2022). Zone A (Green, mountain/resort area): unlimited STR licenses. Zone B (Yellow): 'Restricted' licenses capped by subzone (per the city's current rules page: B1 Sunlight 5, B2 Old Town 20, B3 18, B4 17, B5 12, B6 10), with a city-maintained waitlist and periodic lotteries when licenses open up. Zone C (Red, most residential neighborhoods): new STR licenses prohibited; only hosted STRs, temporary STRs (max 2 occurrences and 30 cumulative days per calendar year of a primary residence), and properties with registered legal-nonconforming status or grandfathered Vacation Home Rental (VHR) permits may operate. Licenses are not transferable between owners or locations. Occupancy is capped at 1 person per 150 sq ft of net floor area (min 2, max 16 occupants).
- 2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental License (also Hosted Short-Term Rental License and Temporary Short-Term Rental License)
Submit the Short-Term Rental License (also Hosted Short-Term Rental License and Temporary Short-Term Rental License) application to Steamboat Springs and pay the $350 fee. City licensing page lists 'Current licensing and renewal fees: $350'. Under Sec. 12-572 the fee is set by the City Manager to recover administration and enforcement costs, so it can change administratively; earlier program materials referenced lower fees (e.g., $250), indicating the fee has risen since launch.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Steamboat Springs. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Steamboat Springs changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Steamboat Springs for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
Keep going
Verified July 12, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Steamboat Springs before applying.