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Crested Butte

Colorado · United States
Restricted
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Crested Butte Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusRestricted — rules apply
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax RateState + local sales tax and lodging/excise tax required; operators must collect and remit excise taxes, sales tax, and additional local/state taxes. E
Permit FeeTwo license tiers: Primary Occupancy License (owner occupies 6+ months/year) and Unlimited License. License fee established per municipal code; fines
PenaltiesUp to $1,000/day fine for unlicensed rental or advertisement; 2-year eligibility suspension for unlicensed operation; municipal court summons; propert
Occupancy LimitSet per property; posted on license
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Crested Butte Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Crested Butte Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rentals in Crested Butte, Colorado are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Two license tiers: Primary Occupancy License (owner occupies 6+ months/year) and Unlimited License. .

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Crested Butte

Short-term rental operators in Crested Butte should be aware of these tax obligations: State + local sales tax and lodging/excise tax required; operators must collect and remit excise taxes, sales tax, and additional local/state taxes. Exact combined rate governed by Colorado state and Gunnison County schedules..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Crested Butte

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Crested Butte include: Occupancy limit: Set per property; posted on license.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Crested Butte

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Crested Butte: Unlimited Vacation Rental licenses permitted only in R1, R1A, R1C, R1D, R1E, R2, R2C, R3C, B3, and B4 zone districts. Concentration limits apply: Unlimited licenses capped at two per block face (defin. Density rules: Unlimited vacation rental licenses limited to two per block face (400 linear ft per side of block). Primary Occupancy Licenses are less restricted..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Crested Butte

Hosts who fail to comply with Crested Butte's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Up to $1,000/day fine for unlicensed rental or advertisement; 2-year eligibility suspension for unlicensed operation; municipal court summons; property lien for unpaid taxes; license revocation after .

Platform Obligations in Crested Butte

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Crested Butte: STR license number must be included on all online advertisements. Adjacent property owners within 100 ft must be notified within 14 days prior to license issuance or renewal..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Restricted
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Two license tiers: Primary Occupancy License (owner occupies 6+ months/year) and Unlimited License. License fee established per municipal code; fines up to $1,000/day for unlicensed operation. Town places liens against property for unpaid sales tax.
Occupancy Limit
Set per property; posted on license
Tax Rate
State + local sales tax and lodging/excise tax required; operators must collect and remit excise taxes, sales tax, and additional local/state taxes. Exact combined rate governed by Colorado state and Gunnison County schedules.
Zoning Restrictions
Unlimited Vacation Rental licenses permitted only in R1, R1A, R1C, R1D, R1E, R2, R2C, R3C, B3, and B4 zone districts. Concentration limits apply: Unlimited licenses capped at two per block face (defined as 400 linear feet along one side of a town block). Not permitted on deed-restricted, covenant-restricted, or Town-restricted properties.
Density Rules
Unlimited vacation rental licenses limited to two per block face (400 linear ft per side of block). Primary Occupancy Licenses are less restricted.
Platform Obligations
STR license number must be included on all online advertisements. Adjacent property owners within 100 ft must be notified within 14 days prior to license issuance or renewal.
Compliance Notes
Two license types: (1) Primary Occupancy License — owner must occupy unit 6+ months/year; (2) Unlimited License — subject to zoning and concentration limits. Property must pass biannual inspection by Town Vacation Rental Inspector per Municipal Code Ch. 6, Art. 6, Sec. 16-6-40. Three noise/trash 'strikes' within 12 rolling months results in license revocation. Unlicensed operation triggers 2-year eligibility suspension plus fines and potential municipal court summons.
Effective Date
2020 (program established); subsequent amendments through 2022–2023
Key Notes
Town of Crested Butte (crestedbutte-co.gov) and Town of Mt. Crested Butte (mtcb.colorado.gov) are two separate municipalities with separate STR programs. This record covers the Town of Crested Butte proper. STR defined as rental of 29 consecutive nights or fewer. Properties subject to HOA/deed restrictions may be separately prohibited.
Penalties
Up to $1,000/day fine for unlicensed rental or advertisement; 2-year eligibility suspension for unlicensed operation; municipal court summons; property lien for unpaid taxes; license revocation after 3 strikes in 12 months.
Additional Context
The Town of Crested Butte uses a strike-based complaint system. Vacation rentals not permitted in any property subject to deed restriction, covenant, or Town occupancy requirement. Town notifies adjacent property owners within 100 feet at each license issuance/renewal. Colorado's broader STR framework is informed by the Colorado Lodging and Resort Alliance (CLARA).
Sources
Town of Crested Butte Municipal Code Ch. 6, Art. 5 (Vacation Rentals)
Official FAQ: https://townofcrestedbutte.colorado.gov/sites/townofcrestedbutte/files/documents/STR_FAQ_12-13-2022.pdf
Town official website: https://www.crestedbutte-co.gov (primary STR page)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Crested Butte?

Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Crested Butte but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Two license types: (1) Primary Occupancy License — owner must occupy unit 6+ months/year; (2) Unlimited License — subject to zoning and concentration limits. Property must pass biannual inspection by

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Crested Butte?

Yes. Crested Butte requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Crested Butte?

Short-term rental hosts in Crested Butte are subject to the following tax obligations: State + local sales tax and lodging/excise tax required; operators must collect and remit excise taxes, sales tax, and additional local/state taxes. Exact combined rate governed by Colorado state and Gunnison County schedules..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Crested Butte?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Crested Butte may face enforcement. Up to $1,000/day fine for unlicensed rental or advertisement; 2-year eligibility suspension for unlicensed operation; municipal court summons; property lien for unpaid taxes; license revocation after 3 strikes in 12 months..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Crested Butte?

Town of Crested Butte (crestedbutte-co.gov) and Town of Mt. Crested Butte (mtcb.colorado.gov) are two separate municipalities with separate STR programs. This record covers the Town of Crested Butte proper. STR defined as rental of 29 consecutive nights or fewer. Properties subject to HOA/deed restrictions may be separately prohibited.

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