- New ordinance adopted June 9, 2026, with an effective date of July 19, 2026.
- Applies to all short-term rentals (30 days or less) in unincorporated Park County.
Licensing & Renewals
- Annual STR license required to advertise or operate a short-term rental.
- Licenses are not transferable and expire upon property sale.
- Renewal applications must be submitted 30–60 days before expiration.
- New “Responsible Owner” program rewards operators with:
- At least 24 months of compliant operation.
- No violations or founded complaints.
- Reduced documentation requirements during renewals.
New Restrictions on Eligible Properties
- STR licenses cannot be issued to condominiums, apartment units, or properties with shared walls.
- Properties must comply with HOA restrictions, and owners must provide documentation if HOA approval is required.
- Only one STR license may be issued per parcel.
Responsible Agent Requirement
- Every STR must designate a 24/7 Responsible Agent.
- Agent must be able to respond and arrive at the property within one hour.
- Owners may serve as their own agent if they meet the response requirement.
Safety & Inspection Requirements
- STRs must meet life-safety standards including:
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Fire extinguishers.
- Proper septic system permitting and capacity.
- Safety inspections may be required for homes built before 2006.
- Site inspections required for lots 0.75 acres or smaller.
- Defensible space may be required in designated Extreme Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas.
Occupancy & Parking
- Occupancy is limited by septic system capacity and will be stated on the license.
- Guests must park only in approved parking areas.
- No parking in roadways, rights-of-way, or vegetated areas.
- Large passenger vehicles (16+ passengers) are prohibited.
Operational Rules for Guests
- No outdoor amplified music that violates county or state noise standards.
- No camping, RV use, or temporary sleeping structures.
- No campfires, outdoor charcoal grills, outdoor fireplaces, fire rings, or other ember-producing equipment.
- Restrictions on ATV/OHV use and firearm discharge while occupying STR properties.
Trash & Wildlife Management
- Owners are responsible for trash handling—not guests.
- Written instructions regarding trash, wildlife interactions, and bear-resistant containers must be provided.
Advertising & Online Platform Requirements
- All STR advertisements must display:
- Valid Park County STR license number.
- Maximum occupancy.
- Properties on a waitlist may not advertise as STRs.
- Online platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo must remove listings identified by the county as operating without a valid license within 14 days of notice, consistent with Colorado’s 2024 state legislation.
Inspections & Compliance
- County may conduct inspections with reasonable notice.
- Owners are ultimately responsible for compliance, including actions of guests, renters, and property managers.
Enforcement & Penalties
- License denial for incomplete applications, unpaid taxes, false information, or noncompliance.
- Licenses may be revoked after:
- Three violations within a year.
- Operating without a valid license.
- Failure to correct health, safety, or code violations.
- Revocations carry a one-year prohibition on obtaining a new license.
- Civil penalties:
- 1st & 2nd offenses: up to $200/day
- 3rd offense: up to $300/day
- Subsequent offenses: up to $1,000/day
Potential Future Caps
- The ordinance authorizes the Board of County Commissioners to establish future limits on the number of STRs through a separate resolution.
Bottom line: The ordinance significantly expands operational requirements, introduces a “Responsible Owner” pathway, imposes new eligibility restrictions on certain property types, strengthens advertising enforcement through online travel platforms, and increases the county’s inspection and enforcement authority.