Is Airbnb Legal in Colorado Springs?

Yes — Airbnb is legal in Colorado Springs, but only if you follow the city’s short-term rental permit rules.

Colorado Springs allows short-term rentals, but it doesn’t treat every property the same way. The city has separate permit paths for owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, requires annual permits, requires affidavits and supporting documents, and limits where some non-owner-occupied STRs can operate. The current annual permit fee listed by the city is $124.95, and the city’s STR page says there is no grace period for late renewals.

So the real answer isn’t just “yes.” It’s “yes, if your property qualifies and you follow Colorado Springs’ rules.”

That distinction matters because a lot of owners assume the only question is whether the city allows Airbnb at all. In reality, the better question is: what type of STR would this be, where is it located, and what does the city require for that specific setup?

In this guide, we’ll walk through what counts as a short-term rental in Colorado Springs, how owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rules differ, what permits and paperwork are required, and what alternatives may make more sense if a property isn’t a good fit.

Is Airbnb Legal in Colorado Springs?

Yes. Colorado Springs allows short-term rentals, but operators need to comply with the city’s permit system and related rules.

The city’s official STR page says short-term rentals are rentals of 29 days or less and explains that Colorado Springs has two permit types: owner occupied and non-owner occupied. It also says owner-occupied STRs are allowed in lawful dwelling units in zones where residential units are permitted, while non-owner-occupied STR applications submitted after December 26, 2019 are not permitted in single-family zoning districts and are subject to additional restrictions.

That means Airbnb is legal in Colorado Springs, but it’s not a free-for-all. The legality depends on:

• whether the property is owner occupied or non-owner occupied

• where it’s located

• whether the permit requirements are met

• whether the application is renewed on time

• and whether the property continues to operate within the city’s rules

What Counts as a Short-Term Rental in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs defines a short-term rental as a rental of 29 days or less. That means standard Airbnb, VRBO, and similar stays typically fall into this category.

That sounds simple, but it matters because the rental term affects the entire strategy discussion.

If you’re renting the property for fewer than 30 days, you’re in STR territory and need to evaluate permitting, occupancy type, zoning, taxes, and operations through that lens. If you’re renting for 30+ days, you may be looking at a mid-term or furnished rental strategy instead, which usually changes both the compliance picture and the operational burden.

That’s a useful distinction because not every home that could work as a short-term rental is necessarily best used that way.

Owner-Occupied vs. Non-Owner-Occupied Short-Term Rentals

This is one of the most important parts of the Colorado Springs framework.

The city’s STR page says Colorado Springs has two types of STR permits:

Owner-occupied STRs

The city defines owner-occupied short-term rentals as properties that are physically occupied by the owner for not less than 185 days per year. The owner-occupied affidavit also describes owner occupied as the owner’s primary place of residency for at least 185 days per year, with exceptions for military personnel.

These owner-occupied STRs are allowed in lawful dwelling units in zones where residential units are permitted.

Non-owner-occupied STRs

Colorado Springs also allows non-owner-occupied STR permits, but with more restrictions.

The city’s non-owner-occupied affidavit says that, under Ordinance 19-101, non-owner-occupied short-term rentals are precluded in single-family zoning districts, and new non-owner-occupied permits are also subject to a 500-foot buffer from another non-owner-occupied permit.

That difference is a big deal for owners. It means Colorado Springs is not like Denver, where STRs are tied to primary residence only, but it’s also not a market where every investment property can freely become an Airbnb. The type of occupancy and the zoning context matter a lot.

What Do You Need to Legally Operate an Airbnb in Colorado Springs?

If you want to operate an STR in Colorado Springs, the city’s current application requirements lay out a fairly clear checklist.

1. A short-term rental permit

Colorado Springs says short-term rentals require a permit, and the city lists the permit cost as $124.95 annually. The permit is valid for one year.

2. The right affidavit

The city provides separate annual affidavits for owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs. That means your application path needs to match how the property is actually used.

3. Proof of primary residence for owner-occupied STRs

Colorado Springs says proof of primary residence can be satisfied by providing two of certain documents, such as:

• valid driver’s license or state ID

• valid vehicle registration

• voter registration

• dependent’s school registration

The city specifically says mail does not count as proof of residency and notes that staff may request additional proof.

4. Liability insurance

The city’s STR page lists proof of liability insurance as part of the application requirements. Generally speaking, the liability insurance that Airbnb/VRBO provide will suffice.

5. Sales tax / LART tax setup

The city explains that the annual STR permit fee does not include fees associated with the sales tax license, and the STR page references LART tax as part of the program’s purpose.

6. Required paperwork in the unit

The city also has a section explaining that certain paperwork needs to be posted in the short-term rental unit.

The broader takeaway is that operating an Airbnb legally in Colorado Springs is not just a matter of listing the property online. It means maintaining the permit, matching the right occupancy type, keeping paperwork current, and operating inside the city’s zoning and permit rules.

Where Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Colorado Springs?

This is where owners need to slow down and be specific.

Colorado Springs says owner-occupied STRs are allowed in lawful dwelling units in zones where residential units are permitted. But for non-owner-occupied STRs, the city says applications submitted after December 26, 2019 are not permitted in single-family zoning districts, including R-E, R-1 6, R-1 9, and single-family PDZs. You can use the Zoning Map to check if your property falls in one of these disctricts.

The non-owner-occupied affidavit also says new non-owner-occupied permits are subject to a 500-foot buffer from another non-owner-occupied permit.

That means a property’s viability as an Airbnb is not just about whether the city allows STRs in general. It’s about:

• whether the property is owner occupied

• whether it is non-owner occupied

• what zoning district it sits in

• and whether additional spacing restrictions apply for non-owner-occupied permits

This is one reason a strategy that works in one part of the Front Range may not work the same way in another. It’s also why owners should verify the specific property rather than relying on broad assumptions about the market.

What Happens If You Don’t Renew or Don’t Follow the Rules?

Colorado Springs says STR permits are valid for one year, and the city’s page says that failure to renew before expiration may result in a Code Enforcement notice. It also says that for non-owner-occupied STRs, late renewal can lead to the potential forfeiture of the established permit, and the city specifically notes there is no grace period for late applications.

That matters because it means compliance is ongoing, not one-and-done.

A lot of owners think of permitting as a startup task. In reality, the ongoing obligations matter just as much:

• renew on time

• maintain the correct permit type

• keep documents current

• continue operating within the city’s rules

For non-owner-occupied STRs in particular, the risk of forfeiting an established permit makes it especially important not to treat renewal casually.

What If Your Property Isn’t a Good Fit for Short-Term Rental?

This is where a lot of owners save themselves time and frustration by thinking strategically instead of emotionally.

If the property:

• doesn’t fit the zoning for a non-owner-occupied STR

• creates too much regulatory friction

• isn’t a good operational fit for Airbnb

• or simply doesn’t match the amount of work you want to take on

then the best answer may not be forcing an STR strategy.

Depending on the home, good alternatives can include:

Mid-term furnished rental

A furnished 30+ day rental can offer flexibility and decent upside without the same turnover pace or the same permit structure as a classic STR.

Long-term rental

If you care more about stability, predictable occupancy, and lower operating intensity, a traditional long-term rental may be the cleaner fit.

This is especially important for owners who are really choosing between income models, not just asking whether Airbnb is technically possible. For more info on deciding which path is best for you, check out our post here.

Final Thoughts: How Colorado Springs Owners Should Think About Airbnb

So, is Airbnb legal in Colorado Springs?

Yes — but only if you operate it through the city’s short-term rental permit framework and match the right rules to the right type of property. Colorado Springs allows both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs, but they are treated differently, and non-owner-occupied properties face meaningful zoning and spacing restrictions. The city also requires annual renewal, supporting paperwork, and liability insurance.

That’s the short answer.

The more useful answer is this: Colorado Springs can be a viable STR market, but owners need to start with the property’s legal and practical fit before they start thinking about occupancy or pricing.

If the property fits, great — then the next question is how to operate it well.

If it doesn’t, that doesn’t mean the home has no rental value. It may just be better suited to a mid-term or long-term strategy.

Want help figuring out whether your Colorado Springs property is a fit for short-term, mid-term, or long-term rental? Contact our team for a custom strategy review and we’ll help you think through the legal fit, the workload, and the best path for your goals.

FAQ

Is Airbnb legal in Colorado Springs?

Yes. Colorado Springs allows short-term rentals, but they require a permit and must comply with city rules for owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied STRs.

What counts as a short-term rental in Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs defines a short-term rental as a rental of 29 days or less.

Are non-owner-occupied Airbnbs allowed in Colorado Springs?

Yes, but with restrictions. New non-owner-occupied STR permits are not allowed in certain single-family zoning districts and are subject to a 500-foot buffer from another non-owner-occupied permit.

What is an owner-occupied short-term rental in Colorado Springs?

The city defines owner occupied as the owner’s primary residence for at least 185 days per year, with an exception noted for military personnel.

How much does a Colorado Springs STR permit cost?

The city currently lists the annual permit fee as $124.95.

What happens if I don’t renew my permit on time?

The city says there is no grace period. Failure to renew before expiration may result in code enforcement, and non-owner-occupied permit holders may risk forfeiture of the established permit.