| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes (existing requirement) |
| 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 |
| Night / Day Cap | STR-Owner-Occupied capped at 120 nights/year; STR-Classic has no annual night cap (but zone caps apply). |
| Minimum Stay | Minimum 4 nights per stay; STR defined as use under 30 days. |
| 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 |
| Primary Residence Required | 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 uni |
| Occupancy Limit | Two occupants per bedroom plus two; studios limited to three total. |
Short-term rental operations in Aspen, Colorado are permitted under an active regulatory framework 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-.
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.
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 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 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..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Aspen with proper registration and permits. Aspen City Council approved updates to the city's short-term rental program, focusing on streamlining administrative processes that had not been modernized since the original STR regulations were adop
Yes. Aspen requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes (existing requirement).
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..
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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