Mile High Home Group – Welcome to Denver

Short-term rentals under 30 days are heavily regulated in Denver—allowed only in owner-occupied primary residences with a license, limited to 90 nights/year max, and banned in non-owner-occupied properties, with strict zoning and HOA rules varying by neighborhood in the Colorado housing market.

Denver’s Short-Term Rental Rules

After 15+ years in Denver real estate and thousands of transactions, I’ve navigated STR regs where primary homes (owner stays 185+ nights/year) qualify for Type 1 licenses ($75/year + $25/night fee), capping at 90 nights. Type 2 for non-owners banned since 2022; platforms like Airbnb auto-report bookings. Fines hit $1K+ for violations; registration mandates safety inspections, occupancy limits (2/room), and parking. Long-term (30+ days) unrestricted. Appeals rare—compliance first.

HOAs often prohibit outright.

Neighborhood-Specific Restrictions

Highlands Ranch real estate bans STRs via covenants regardless of city rules, protecting village vibes near Mountain Vista schools ($150-$400 fees enforce); Littleton flexes more for primaries but flags noise. Core Denver LoDo allows licensed owner-ops, thriving on tourists but competing with hotels. Market cycles don’t shift regs, but balanced demand favors long-term stability. Douglas County unincorporated allows primaries county-wide; compared to Littleton flexibility, Highlands Ranch villages prioritize quiet families over rentals.

Downtown condos rarely qualify.

Practical Advice for Buyers and Sellers

Rental Type	Allowed?	Key Limit
Owner-Occupied <90 Nights	Yes	License + fees
Non-Owner STR	No	Fines apply
Long-Term 30+	Yes	No caps

Owners, apply via Denver.gov—install locks, disclose to HOA; pivot to mid-term for investors.

Buyers, verify zoning pre-offer—avoid STR dreams in HOAs.

My hands-on, concierge-level service vets rental viability block-by-block, weighs school/HOA fits through market cycles, builds pricing from local sales, and negotiates relentlessly for compliant yields. Clients are long-term relationships and friends, not transactions—integrity, honesty, transparency, and relentless work ethic steer clear of fines.

If short-term rental rules impact your Denver real estate plans—Littleton, Highlands Ranch compliance—reach out anytime. I’m here for a no-pressure conversation and honest guidance tailored to the Colorado housing market.