We are currently experiencing issues with Accela and processing Short Term Rental Renewal Applications. Due to the issue there is currently a delay with processing permits. We hope to resolve and expedite the situation as quickly as possible. In the meantime please continue to submit your application, and we will review and process your application as quickly as possible. If you have questions or concerns we are happy to answer your questions by email shortermrentals@coloradosprings.gov or by phone 719-385-5982. Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve the issue with our website.
Permits and Renewals
In August 2022, the Planning Department began utilizing an electronic process for all Pre-Application meetings, permits, application submittals, payments, and reviews. If you have not done so already, please create an account via the 'Applications and Reviews' button below and view the 'How-To' guide for more information. For questions, please call 719-385-5982 or email shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov.
Applications and Reviews | How-To Guide
SHORT TERM RENTAL (30 DAYS OR LESS) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
This checklist and all required associated documents shall be submitted via our electronic submittal system. The applicant shall notify staff within 3 days in the event of changes:
- Completed Short Term Rental Checklist and Owner Acknowledgment (4 pages)
- Proof of primary residence – this can be satisfied by providing two of the following: valid driver’s license or State I.D. Card, valid vehicle registration, voter registration, dependent’s school registration. Mail does not count as proof of residency. City Staff reserves the right to ask for additional proof of residency upon request.
- $124.95 permit fee. The fee shall be paid via cash, credit card or electronic check.
- Signed Short Term Rental Affidavit
- Proof of at least $500,000 in liability insurance (Proof can be provided by hosting platform contract acknowledging insurance coverage through the platform i.e. AirBnb/VRBO, policy information, or other documentation)
- Proof of listing on hosting platform i.e. AirBnB/VRBO (emailed link)
- The Planning & Community Development Department may require additional information for this application as needed.
If you are listing two (2) separate units on a property (e.g. unit in your back yard, and a room within your house) you will need two (2) separate permits and will need to pay two (2) separate permit fees.
In the permitting of the short term rental permit, the Manager, Planning Commission or City Council shall have authority to require such reasonable conditions as necessary to protect the public health, safety and general welfare and to ensure that the use, value and qualities of the neighborhood surrounding the proposed location will not be adversely affected.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of short term rentals are permitted and where are they allowed?
On 12-26-2019, City Council amended the short term rental ordinance to establish two types of short term rental permits – owner occupied and non-owner occupied.
Owner occupied short term rentals are those properties that are physically occupied by the owner for no less than 185 days per year. Owner occupied short term rentals are allowed in lawful dwelling units (i.e. you cannot rent out a tuff shed, tent, etc.) in zones where residential units are permitted.
Non-owner occupied short term rental unit permit 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).
Non-owner occupied short term rental units submitted after 12-26-2019 must be 500’ from another in all other zoning districts.
To find the zoning of your property visit Springsview.
- How to use the zoning map (For accessibility requests, please contact the Planning Department at (719) 385-5905 or planningdev@coloradosprings.gov.)
Is there a cap on STRs?
There is not a cap on the number of short term rentals being approved; however, limitations are in place for non-owner occupied properties.
Is there an exemption for military for owner occupancy?
Yes. Where an Owner Occupied short term rental unit is owned by an Active Duty military service member whose permanent duty station is within El Paso County, the Manager shall waive this requirement for the Owner for up to one (1) year if the service member receives orders to report to a temporary duty station outside of El Paso County. The Planning & Community Development Department may require a copy of the Active Duty Service Member’s orders for verification of the temporary assignment to approve the waiver.
How do I know if my non-owner occupied short term rental unit is 500’ from another short term rental unit?
Questions about the 500’ buffer between non-owner occupied short term rental units can be sent to shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov.
Is there a waiting list for non-owner occupied STR permits?
At this time we do not have a waiting list for non-owner occupied permits. We recommend reaching out to shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov regarding any questions relating to the density restriction.
How many short term rentals can I have?
NOTE – non-owner occupied short term rental units permit applications submitted after 12-26-19 are subject to additional requirements.
- In single family zoning districts (R-E, R-1 6, R-1 9 and Single-Family PDZs) one listing for the property is permitted; this can be the whole house, or just one room/section of the house.
- For properties zoned R-2, two listings for the property are permitted.
- Up to 4 listings are allowed on properties that are zoned for multi-family (ie a property that would allow for an apartment).
- In the case of a condominium complex (or similar common ownership), each owner is allowed to operate a maximum of 2 short term rentals within the complex.
There is no limit to the number of short term rentals residents of Colorado Springs can operate (with the exception of condominium properties), nor is there a cap on the number of short term rentals that the City will allow to operate; however, non-owner occupied short term rental units are subject to additional standards. For questions, please contact shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov.
Each listing requires a separate permit application and fee.
How much does a permit cost?
A short term rental permit costs $124.95 annually. This does not include fees associated with your sales tax license.
How long is a permit valid?
Short term rental permits are valid for one year.
What happens if I don’t renew my permit?
Failure to renew your short term rental application prior to the date of expiration may result in a Code Enforcement notice and if non-owner occupied, the potential forfeiture of your established permit. There is no grace period for late applications.
What paperwork do I need to post in my short term rental unit?
Your City-issued short term rental permit and Good Neighbor Guidelines with filled out local emergency contact, City-issued permit number, and valid-through date will act as your permit. This information needs to be prominently displayed within the unit. Please keep the local emergency contact information (name and phone number) available to renters.
Do I need to let the city know if any of the information on my STR application has changed?
Yes, please email shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov with an updated application. It is imperative we have the most updated information for all permits in case of an emergency situation.
Do I need to let the City know if I decide to no longer operate my STR?
Yes. Please let us know immediately if you no longer chose to operate your short term rental and Staff will void the permit.
Can I transfer the title of a property which has an approved STR permit?
No. Pursuant to City Code Section 7.5.1702; The Short Term Rental permit does not run with the property but is issued to a specific owner. The permit shall not be transferred or assigned to another individual, person, entity, or address.
Can I apply for an STR on a vacant property to “hold” my place?
No. City Code mandates that the rental unit/s must remain compliant with all Planning, Zoning, and Building codes (City Code Section 7.5.1704.F). A short term rental permit cannot be issued for a property that does not have a Certificate of Occupancy.
What if I rent my house for only a few days or weeks out of the year? Do I still need a permit?
Yes, you would still have to have a permit. Any property that is listed on a hosting platform must have an active short term rental permit.
The intent of the permit is to:
- establish a community standard for the integration of short term rental units within existing neighborhoods while maintaining neighborhood and community character;
- to ensure health and safety of visitors and residents by re-affirming police, fire, and building safety guidelines for transient lodgers who may not be familiar with local laws;
- and to ensure that short term rental owners are paying LART tax similar to other transient lodging including hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts.
What can I do if I think my neighbor is operating a short term rental without a permit?
First, check the city map on Springs View to see if a permit exists for the property. Click "show layer list" and ensure that "Short Term Rentals" is checked under "Planning-Administration." Enter the property address in the search bar. If a permit does not show up, please contact the City's Neighborhood Services Division (Code Enforcement) or submit a report online.
I’m a neighbor of a short term rental and there is an issue with renters, what do I do?
If there is an emergency, please call 911.
If there is a non-life threatening issue, including loud parties, please call the police non-emergency line at 719-444-7000.
Emergency contact information for the short term rental can be viewed at Springs View. Click "Show Layer List" and ensure that "Short Term Rentals" is checked under "Planning-Administration." Enter the property address in the search bar. If a Short Term Rental permit has been issued, the name and phone number of the property's emergency contact will come up. This information has been provided by the owner as someone that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and able to respond to the non-life threatening emergency within one hour.
Other Considerations
- Pursuant to City Code Section 7.3.301.C.5(h), “maximum overnight occupancy of a short term rental unit shall be limited to two (2) occupants per bedroom, plus an additional two (2) occupants per dwelling unit. The maximum occupancy per dwelling unit shall be fifteen (15) occupants.”
- They must be operated out of lawful dwelling units
- All marketplace facilitators (i.e., AirBnB, VRBO, Expedia, etc.) are required to collect and remit the City of Colorado Springs sales tax on their own City of Colorado Springs sales tax licenses. If the permit holder does not utilize a marketplace facilitator and books on their own, they will need to obtain a City Sales Tax License. All taxes owed to the City shall be remitted prior to the issuance of the STR permit (Ordinance No. 19-49).
- You must maintain weekly residential trash collection services.
- Properties must remain compliant with all planning, zoning, building, and other City codes.
- All short term rentals shall abide by all applicable noise, housing, and public health ordinances of the City and with all other City fire and safety ordinances.
- Parking in private driveways shall be utilized first with overflow parking on the street where permitted.
- You cannot host weddings or large social/commercial events at a short term rental
- Short term rentals are required to have a 24-hour point of contact on file with the Planning Department who can respond within 1 hour in the case of an emergency.
- Your short term rental permit is valid for 1 year.
Ordinance
Signed Ordinances
- Ordinance 18-112 – Program Adoption
- Ordinance 19-49 Sales Tax Requirement
- Ordinance 19-82 – Occupancy Limitations
- Ordinance 19-101 – Non-Owner Occupied Regulations
Why do we need regulations?
- To establish a community standard for the integration of short term rental units within existing neighborhoods while maintaining neighborhood and community character.
- To ensure health and safety of visitors and residents by re-affirming police, fire, and building safety guidelines for transient lodgers who may not be familiar with local laws.
- To ensure that short term rental owners are paying LART tax similar to other transient lodging including hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts.
Contact
Questions about the Short Term Rental Program can be sent to shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov or call 719-385-5982.
In person assistance may be available at the Development Review Enterprise office located at 2880 International Circle, STE 200-7 Colorado Springs, CO 80910.