Vacation Home Licenses

The Vacation Home License application, requires signature of the property owner of record (as listed on Larimer County Assessor records) and the property manager. All fields must be completed before the application will be processed. The Estes Park Municipal Code Vacation Home Regulations require the homeowner and property manager signature confirming they have reviewed and acknowledge the regulations.

Vacation Home License FAQs 

Application Processing

All applications must be completed, in their entirety without blank fields in order to be processed. The following are required prior to processing:

• Complete Vacation Home License Application (no blank fields), signed by both the property owner of record and local representative/property manager.
• The Vacation Home Regulations signed by both the property owner and local representative/property manager. Proof of a valid Sales Tax License/Colorado Account Number.
  • Can be obtained through the Department of Revenue website, Taxation Division or in person at the Fort Collins Tax office, 3030 South College.
• Vacation Home License Fee ($200 base fee + $50 per bedroom)
• Workforce Housing Regulatory Linkage Fee (adjusted annually for inflation)

The Vacation Home/Bed & Breakfast Checklist and Vacation Home/Bed & Breakfast Process Map show the process of a complete application.

Cap

A cap has been placed on residential zoned vacation homes operating inside Town limits. As of April 1, 2020 the 588 cap number which was maintained by the Town, was split between the Town and Larimer County resulting in 322 residential zoned properties in Town limits and 266 residential zoned properties in the unincorporated area of Larimer County. Town properties which are zoned residential are subject to the 322 cap.

Residential zoned properties subject to the cap are Rural Estate (RE, RE-1), Estate (E, E-1), Residential (R, R-1), Two-Family Residential (R-2), Multi-Family Residential (RM). 

    Zoning Map

A waitlist is maintained by the Town Clerk's office for properties inside Town limits. Ordinance 16-21 approved by the Town Board on October 26, 2021 placed a moratorium on the vacation home waitlist, and as such, applications for residential zoned vacation homes are not being accepted.

Cost

Annual Fee

$200 base fee + $50 per bedroom
Two hundred dollars ($200.00) base fee per year, fifty dollars ($50.00) for each bedroom. Bedroom numbers are based on Larimer County Assessors records. Payment can be made by cash, check or credit/debit card (transaction fees apply). Make checks payable to the Town of Estes Park.

Workforce Housing Regulatory Linkage Fee

Beginning in 2023, the Workforce Housing Regulatory Linkage Fee of $1390 will be due in conjunction with the annual license renewal, due no later than January 31st of each year. The amount of the fee shall be adjusted for inflation on an annual basis in September. For more information please review Ordinance 02-22.

2024 Workforce Housing Regulatory Linkage Fee $1430 (adjusted annually for inflation)

Initial Compliance Inspection

An Initial Compliance Inspection of all vacation homes is required per the Estes Park Municipal Code. And shall be completed prior to approval of any operating license. Inspection will be conducted by the Code Enforcement Officer. For more information please contact the Clerk's Office at townclerk@estes.org

Large Vacation Home Review

Large Vacation Home Review (nine (9) or more occupants): Vacation home occupancy for residential zoned properties is outlined in the regulations as two (2) occupants per bedroom plus two (2) with a maximum occupancy of eight (8). Per the Vacation Home Regulations, properties that are eligible to allow nine (9) or more occupants in the vacation home must have had an application for a vacation home license filed with the Clerk's office prior to March 31, 2017. 

The minimum lot size for a nine-and-over vacation home shall be one (1) acre, unless the Planning Commission makes a specific finding that the vacation home has demonstrated adequate buffering or screening from adjacent and nearby properties.  5.1.b.3

License Databases

To view Businesses Licenses, Liquor Licenses, Vacation Home Licenses and Bed and Breakfast Licenses, please visit the Records Portal. Databases are available as a searchable PDF or downloadable Excel Spreadsheet. Please call the Clerk's Office at 970-577-4777 if issues occur while accessing the Records Portal.

Life and Safety Inspection

Vacation Homes are subject to a Life Safety Inspection. More information can be found at Building Forms and References page.

Local Representative/Property Manager

Local Representative/Property Manager must reside within the Park R-3 School District or Estes Valley Recreation and Park District boundaries. The representative must be available within a 20-30 minute response time in the event of a code violation or emergency. The representative can be the homeowner as long as they are able to provide an alternative address from the vacation home which is within the required boundaries where they will reside while the property is being rented.

Sales Tax License

A Colorado Sales Tax License or Colorado Account number is required for renting of property for less than 30 days. A valid Sales Tax License is obtained through the Colorado Department of Revenue website, Taxation Division or in person at the Fort Collins Tax office, 3030 South College.

 

Sales Tax rates can be found at estes.org/salestax.

Transferring a License to New Homeowner

Residentially Zoned Vacation Homes not licensed by October 18, 2021 will not be transferable once licensed. Upon a transfer of ownership, the license shall terminate.  A new owner who wishes to operate as a vacation home shall be required to apply for a new license (Municipal Code 5.20.110(c)(1)), and may be subject to the cap placed on residentially zoned vacation homes.

Vacation Homes licensed by October 18, 2021 are transferable upon a transfer of ownership as long as the license is maintained on a yearly basis and all regulations are met. Upon a transfer of ownership, it is the responsibility of the new owner to transfer the license to their name within thirty (30) days of the transfer of ownership.

To determine if a license is transferable to new owners please contact the Clerk's Office.

Waitlist

Ordinance 16-21, approved by the Town Board on October 26, 2021, placed a moratorium on the vacation home waitlist, and as such, applications for residentially zoned vacation homes are not being accepted at this time.

Please note there is no limit on the number of commercial-zoned Vacation Home Licenses. Vacation Home Licenses in commercial zoning districts are processed as received by the Town Clerk's office.

 Zoning Map

VH & B&B Compliance Concerns

To report a potential Vacation Home/Bed and Breakfast violation, submit an online form at estes.org/reportacomplianceconcern, or call the 24/7 hotline at 970-577-4787. Calls made to the hotline during non-business hours will be addressed the following business day.

To report a potential violation that requires immediate attention, such as a noise complaint or short-term rental solid fuel fire, call the non-emergency dispatch number at 970-586-4000.