Grand County short-term rental laws (2026)
Outside its towns, Grand County allows short-term rentals that hold an administrative permit under Section 14.7 of its zoning rules. Quiet time begins at 7:00 p.m. Guests keep it until 7:00 a.m.[3]
Every rule below links to the official source it comes from, verified October 1, 2026.
Is Airbnb legal in Grand County?
Legal, with a county permit
Unincorporated areas only. Up to 16 occupants, with no cap on permits or nights.
5 official sources · verified October 1, 2026
Photo: Juliann Hervio on Unsplash
- PermitRequired · $100 per occupant, 1 year
- Primary residenceNot required
- Number on listingRequired
- Night capNone in Section 14.7
Grand County short-term rental permit
Every owner who rents a home short term in unincorporated Grand County must hold a Short Term Rental Permit from the Department of Community Development. The fee is $100 per occupant, based on the maximum occupancy you advertise. A home advertised for 10 guests pays $1,000. No home may register for more than 16 occupants. The permit expires one year after approval. You name two local emergency contacts who live in Grand County full time.[1]
Every Grand County rule, sorted by what it asks
Filter by topic. Each line carries the number of its official source, listed at the bottom of the page.
You must
- Hold a permit before you offer or advertise the rental[3]
- Apply again every year[1]
- Show the active permit number on every listing[3]
- Name two contacts living in Grand County who answer within one hour[3]
- Keep quiet time from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.[3]
- Store outdoor trash in bear-proof containers[3]
- Post the address so it reads clearly from the street[3]
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of each bedroom door[3]
- Pass the yearly fire inspection where your district requires it[1]
- Carry liability insurance for the rental[3]
- Hold a Colorado sales tax license[2]
You must not
What a new permit costs
The county's own example: a home advertised as sleeping 10 people
$1,000permit for 10 occupants
- 10 occupants at $100 each$1,000
The fee follows the maximum occupancy you advertise. Card and e-check payments carry a processing fee.[1]
How to apply in Grand County
Official name: Short-Term Rental Permit
- 1
Check on the county GIS map that the home lies outside town limits.[1]
- 2
Line up two local emergency contacts who live in Grand County full time.[1]
- 3
Book the annual fire inspection if your fire district requires one.[1]
- 4
Apply through the county's online portal, then pay the per-occupant fee.[1]
- 5
Once the permit arrives by email, post it in a central spot such as the kitchen.[2]
Five jurisdictions, same questions
The Grand County column comes from the official sources on this page. The other columns show the headline rule from each WonderGuest page. Open a page for the full detail.
| Question | Grand County | Denver | Summit County | Winter Park | Grand Lake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permit | Required$100 per occupant, 1 year | Required$50 application, $100 license | Required$240 to $360 a year, by type | Required$150 | Required |
| Primary residence | Not required | Required | Varies | Not published | Not published |
| Night cap | None in Section 14.7 | None published | No night limit, 35 bookings in neighborhoods | None in Title 3, Chapter 10 of the town code | None in the town zoning code |
| Number on listing | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Occupancy tax | 2% county lodging tax, collected by the state | 10.75% lodger's tax, Airbnb collects | 8.375% total, 2% county lodging tax included | 13.2% | 11.2% |
| Denver short-term rental rules | Summit County short-term rental rules | Winter Park short-term rental rules | Grand Lake short-term rental rules |
Coming up
What's changing
No change with an effective date appears in the official sources on this page as of October 1, 2026.
FAQ
Grand County short-term rental questions
How much is a Grand County short-term rental permit?
Does the Grand County permit apply in Winter Park?
Can Airbnb charge the wrong tax rate in Grand County?
What was Grand County's lodging tax before 2025?
Sources
- Short-term rentals, Grand County Department of Community Development, read on October 1, 2026
- Short-term rental FAQs, Grand County Department of Community Development, read on October 1, 2026
- Zoning Regulations, Section 14.7 and district rules (last amended July 28, 2026), Grand County Board of County Commissioners, read on October 1, 2026
- Sales and lodging tax, Grand County Finance Department, read on October 1, 2026
- Ballot Measure 1A, lodging tax, Grand County Government, read on October 1, 2026
This page is not legal advice. It summarizes the official sources listed on this page as they read on October 1, 2026. Rules can change after that date, so check with the issuing office before you apply or publish a listing.
Before you list
Free tools for new hosts
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