Airbnb rules in Denver strictly limit short-term rentals to 30 days or less in owner-occupied primary residences only, capped at 90 nights per year with a required city license—non-owner-occupied properties and entire-home rentals by investors are banned, enforced via platform reporting and fines up to $1,000+ per violation.
Core Airbnb Regulations
After 15+ years in Denver real estate and thousands of transactions, I’ve advised hosts on Type 1 licenses for primaries (owner present 185+ nights/year): $75 annual fee plus $25/night, safety inspections, 2-person/room max, and parking mandates. Type 2 for non-owners prohibited since 2022; Airbnb/Vrbo share booking data monthly. No sublets without permission; noise/party ordinances apply. Long-term (30+ days) unregulated. Violations trigger shutdowns—compliance via Denver’s STR portal.
HOAs amplify restrictions.
Denver-Specific Enforcement
Highlands Ranch real estate bans Airbnbs outright through covenants, safeguarding village peace near Mountain Vista schools ($150-$400 fees irrelevant); Littleton allows licensed primaries but neighbors watch closely. Core Denver neighborhoods like LoDo permit owner-ops near attractions, drawing tourists despite hotel competition. Market cycles don’t alter rules, but balanced demand shifts to mid-term corporate stays. Douglas County unincorporated mirrors city limits for primaries; compared to Littleton flexibility, Highlands Ranch prioritizes residents over transients.
Downtown condos rarely qualify sans owner occupancy.
Practical Advice for Buyers and Sellers
| Rental Type | Allowed | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Owner-Op <90 Nights | Yes | License + primary use |
| Investor Entire-Home | No | Ban enforced |
| Mid/Long-Term | Yes | No license needed |
Hosts, register first—buy liability insurance, disclose to HOA; cap bookings for compliance.
Buyers, check zoning pre-purchase—avoid STR plans in restricted HOAs.
My hands-on, concierge-level service verifies rental rules block-by-block, weighs school/HOA fits through market cycles, builds pricing from local sales, and negotiates relentlessly for viable options. Clients are long-term relationships and friends, not transactions—integrity, honesty, transparency, and relentless work ethic dodge fines.
If Airbnb rules affect your Denver real estate investment—Littleton, Highlands Ranch realities—reach out anytime. I’m here for a no-pressure conversation and honest guidance tailored to the Colorado housing market.
Mile High Home Group - Welcome to Denver 
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