June 2026
Arapahoe County has officially adopted its first comprehensive regulations governing short-term rentals in the county’s unincorporated areas, creating a licensing program and new operating standards for vacation rental owners and hosts. The ordinance, approved by the Board of County Commissioners in May, is expected to take effect in late June following more than two years of stakeholder outreach and policy development.
Under the new ordinance, short-term rentals will require a county-issued license and will generally be limited to a property owner’s or long-term lessee’s primary residence. New licenses must also comply with a 500-foot separation requirement from other licensed short-term rentals, while multifamily buildings will be subject to a countywide cap of 100 licenses. The ordinance also establishes operational standards addressing parking, occupancy, noise, life safety requirements, and neighbor notification. Hosts must designate a local responsible agent who can respond quickly to complaints, and licenses will require a $200 application fee followed by a $350 annual renewal fee.
County officials said the regulations are intended to address neighborhood concerns while preserving opportunities for residents to earn supplemental income from their homes. During the public process, many residents voiced concerns about parking, large gatherings, and quality-of-life impacts, while homeowners and industry representatives emphasized the importance of balancing those concerns with property rights and the economic benefits of responsible short-term rentals.
The Colorado Short-Term Rental Association (COSTRA) participated throughout the ordinance discussions, encouraging the county to focus on enforceable operational standards rather than broad restrictions. COSTRA has consistently advocated for policies that address issues such as noise, parking, and trash through education and enforcement while preserving responsible homeowners’ ability to participate in Colorado’s short-term rental economy.
The new regulations apply only to unincorporated Arapahoe County. Municipalities within the county—including Aurora, Centennial, Englewood, and Littleton—maintain their own short-term rental ordinances and licensing requirements.