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Aspen

Colorado · United States
Pending
Last updated: 2026-08-05  ·  Last verified: 2026-08-05  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Aspen Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusProposed / pending
Permit / License RequiredYes (existing requirement)
Tax RateVoter-approved additional STR tax of 5% or 10% (by type) on top of existing sales and lodging taxes; ≥70% of STR-tax receipts go to affordable housing
Night / Day CapSTR-Owner-Occupied capped at 120 nights/year; STR-Classic has no annual night cap (but zone caps apply).
Minimum StayMinimum 4 nights per stay; STR defined as use under 30 days.
Permit FeeSTR-Classic permit ~$394/year (also nonrefundable fee to hold a waitlist spot); Owner-Occupied (120-day max) permit under ~$150. STR excise tax tiered
Primary Residence RequiredDepends on permit type — STR-OO requires owner's primary residence (capped 120 nights/yr); STR-C available to non-owner-occupied or owner-occupied uni
Occupancy LimitTwo occupants per bedroom plus two; studios limited to three total.
Browse all 29 STR regulations in Colorado → Browse all 549 STR regulations in United States →

Aspen Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Aspen Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental regulations in Aspen, Colorado are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes (existing requirement). The associated permit fees are STR-Classic permit ~$394/year (also nonrefundable fee to hold a waitlist spot); Owner-Occupied (120-.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Aspen

Short-term rental operators in Aspen should be aware of these tax obligations: Voter-approved additional STR tax of 5% or 10% (by type) on top of existing sales and lodging taxes; ≥70% of STR-tax receipts go to affordable housing.. Yes — collect/remit applicable city lodging tax and STR excise tax (to City of Aspen as of Jan 2025) plus other STR taxes to Colorado Dept. of Revenue.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Aspen

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Aspen include: Primary residence requirement: Depends on permit type — STR-OO requires owner's primary residence (capped 120 nights/yr); STR-C available to non-owner-. Rental day cap: STR-Owner-Occupied capped at 120 nights/year; STR-Classic has no annual night cap (but zone caps apply).. Occupancy limit: Two occupants per bedroom plus two; studios limited to three total.. Minimum stay: Minimum 4 nights per stay; STR defined as use under 30 days..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Aspen

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Aspen: Unlimited STR-C permits in downtown core/lodging zones; capped quotas in residential zone districts (caps set at ~75% of pre-moratorium STR counts; 8 of 14 residential zones at/over cap).. Density rules: Capped number of STR-C permits in certain residential zones with waitlists; permits non-transferable (terminate on sale). History-of-use requirement (. Insurance: Unknown (not clearly specified in sourced materials)..

Platform Obligations in Aspen

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Aspen: Permit number must appear in all third-party advertisements; as of 2025 amendments, platforms must mandate permit numbers in listings and remove non-compliant ads..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Pending
License / Registration
Yes (existing requirement)
Tax Registration
Yes — collect/remit applicable city lodging tax and STR excise tax (to City of Aspen as of Jan 2025) plus other STR taxes to Colorado Dept. of Revenue.
Permit Fee
STR-Classic permit ~$394/year (also nonrefundable fee to hold a waitlist spot); Owner-Occupied (120-day max) permit under ~$150. STR excise tax tiered on assessor home value (e.g., 0.05%–0.07% by night tier).
Primary Residence Rule
Depends on permit type — STR-OO requires owner's primary residence (capped 120 nights/yr); STR-C available to non-owner-occupied or owner-occupied units.
Night / Day Cap
STR-Owner-Occupied capped at 120 nights/year; STR-Classic has no annual night cap (but zone caps apply).
Occupancy Limit
Two occupants per bedroom plus two; studios limited to three total.
Tax Rate
Voter-approved additional STR tax of 5% or 10% (by type) on top of existing sales and lodging taxes; ≥70% of STR-tax receipts go to affordable housing.
Zoning Restrictions
Unlimited STR-C permits in downtown core/lodging zones; capped quotas in residential zone districts (caps set at ~75% of pre-moratorium STR counts; 8 of 14 residential zones at/over cap).
Minimum Stay
Minimum 4 nights per stay; STR defined as use under 30 days.
Density Rules
Capped number of STR-C permits in certain residential zones with waitlists; permits non-transferable (terminate on sale). History-of-use requirement (STR activity between May 11, 2017–May 11, 2022).
Insurance Required
Unknown (not clearly specified in sourced materials).
Platform Obligations
Permit number must appear in all third-party advertisements; as of 2025 amendments, platforms must mandate permit numbers in listings and remove non-compliant ads.
Compliance Notes
Aspen is proposing enforcement initiatives against unregistered short-term rentals operating 'under the table.' Policies under consideration include requiring listings on platforms to comply with local regulations.
Effective Date
TBD — recently approved by City Council
Key Notes
1) Aspen City Council approved STR program administrative updates — existing permit requirements remain. 2) Changes streamline processes that were outdated since original regulations. 3) No new substantive restrictions reported in available sources. 4) Hosts should review any updated forms or procedures with the City of Aspen's Community Development Department.
Penalties
Not specified
Additional Context
Pitkin County (surrounding) has separate STR rules also capping occupancy at 120 nights/year; Snowmass Village has its own regulations.
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Aspen?

Short-term rental regulations in Aspen are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Aspen is proposing enforcement initiatives against unregistered short-term rentals operating 'under the table.' Policies under consideration include requiring listings on platforms to comply with loca

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Aspen?

Yes. Aspen requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes (existing requirement).

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Aspen?

Short-term rental hosts in Aspen are subject to the following tax obligations: Voter-approved additional STR tax of 5% or 10% (by type) on top of existing sales and lodging taxes; ≥70% of STR-tax receipts go to affordable housing..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Aspen?

1) Aspen City Council approved STR program administrative updates — existing permit requirements remain. 2) Changes streamline processes that were outdated since original regulations. 3) No new substantive restrictions reported in available sources. 4) Hosts should review any updated forms or procedures with the City of Aspen's Community Development Department.

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