| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Ouray County Lodging District Tax: 6% (effective January 1, 2026). Colorado state sales tax (2.9%) also applies. County uses Colorado NAICS Code 72119 |
| Night / Day Cap | None identified beyond the 30-day STR definition threshold |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum stay specified; STRs defined as rentals of up to 30 days |
| Permit Fee | City of Ouray: Application fee required (specific amount at cityofouray.com). Ouray County: Short-Term Rental Permit required from the Land Use Depart |
| Penalties | Advertising without a permit is a violation subject to fines and injunction proceedings per county ordinance. Specific fine amounts not enumerated in |
| Occupancy Limit | Unknown — specific occupancy cap not confirmed in official sources reviewed; consult City of Ouray or Ouray County for property-specific limits |
Short-term rentals in Ouray, 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 City of Ouray: Application fee required (specific amount at cityofouray.com). Ouray County: Short-Te.
Short-term rental operators in Ouray should be aware of these tax obligations: Ouray County Lodging District Tax: 6% (effective January 1, 2026). Colorado state sales tax (2.9%) also applies. County uses Colorado NAICS Code 721199 for submitting sales and lodging taxes..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Ouray include: Rental day cap: None identified beyond the 30-day STR definition threshold. Occupancy limit: Unknown — specific occupancy cap not confirmed in official sources reviewed; consult City of Ouray or Ouray County for p. Minimum stay: No minimum stay specified; STRs defined as rentals of up to 30 days.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Ouray: City of Ouray: STRs regulated under Resolution 12, Series 2021 (including Ordinance 7, Series 2021). License cap: 120 maximum licenses city-wide. Ouray County (unincorporated): Regulated under Ordinan. Density rules: City of Ouray: Hard cap of 120 STR licenses city-wide (set by City Council, 2021). Ouray County: Hard cap of 100 permits (50 Type 1 + 50 Type 2) + 25 . Insurance: Unknown — not explicitly confirmed in official sources, but STR Manager designation is required.
Hosts who fail to comply with Ouray's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Advertising without a permit is a violation subject to fines and injunction proceedings per county ordinance. Specific fine amounts not enumerated in official sources reviewed — consult Ouray County L.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Ouray: City: License number must appear in listings; licenses are not transferable — new property owners must apply for a new license. County: A designated STR Manager (on-site or off-site) must be identifie.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Ouray but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Two separate regulatory frameworks apply depending on whether the property is within the City of Ouray or in unincorporated Ouray County. City: Resolution 12, Series 2021 + Ordinance 7, Series 2021 —
Yes. Ouray requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Ouray are subject to the following tax obligations: Ouray County Lodging District Tax: 6% (effective January 1, 2026). Colorado state sales tax (2.9%) also applies. County uses Colorado NAICS Code 721199 for submitting sales and lodging taxes..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Ouray may face enforcement. Advertising without a permit is a violation subject to fines and injunction proceedings per county ordinance. Specific fine amounts not enumerated in official sources reviewed — consult Ouray County Land Use Department (970-626-9775) or City of Ouray.
Ouray has two separate STR regulatory regimes — City of Ouray and Ouray County — and operators must determine which jurisdiction governs their property. Both have hard caps on total STR permits with waitlists. The county's 2024 ordinance explicitly cites the affordable housing crisis as justification for strict limits. The 6% Lodging District Tax took effect January 1, 2026. Third-party monitoring
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