Guides
Aspen short-term rental rules.
What it takes to rent an Aspen property by the night: the permit types, the limits, the taxes and the annual renewal.
Permit types
- Owner-Occupied (STR-OO): for an owner's primary residence, with two proofs of residence. Limited to 120 rental nights a year.
- Classic (STR-C): for non-owner-occupied or owner-occupied homes. No annual night limit, but permit numbers are capped in some residential zones and new applicants may be waitlisted.
- Lodging Exempt (STR-LE): for managers of qualifying lodge or condo-hotel properties; one permit covers all units under management.
Requirements
Every permit needs a City of Aspen business license for the permittee and the Qualified Owner's Representative, and applications must name a natural person; an LLC without one will not be accepted. Owners file sales, lodging and short-term rental taxes monthly.
Taxes on nightly stays (from 2026)
| Property type | Combined rate |
|---|---|
| Traditional lodge | 12.35% |
| Short-term rental: Owner-Occupied or Lodging Exempt | 17.35% (includes 5% STR tax) |
| Short-term rental: Classic (investment or second home) | 22.35% (includes 10% STR tax) |
Renewal
Permits expire at the end of each calendar year and must be renewed. A permit with a year of zero tax filings is treated as abandoned, and rentals of 30 days or more do not count toward keeping it active.
Outside the city
Unincorporated Pitkin County, including areas such as Woody Creek, runs its own licensing system, and short-term rentals are not permitted in most rural and remote areas. The county was reviewing changes in 2026. Snowmass Village and Basalt have their own rules.
Checked against aspen.gov and local reporting in October 2026. Rules change; confirm current requirements for any specific property before you buy.
Questions
Common questions.
Do I need a permit to rent my Aspen home short term?
Yes. Inside City of Aspen limits, short-term rentals need an STR permit and a city business license, and must file sales, lodging and short-term rental taxes monthly.
What types of short-term rental permit does Aspen issue?
Three: Owner-Occupied (STR-OO) for an owner's primary residence, limited to 120 rental nights a year; Classic (STR-C) with no night limit but capped permit numbers in some zones; and Lodging Exempt (STR-LE) for managers of qualifying lodge and condo-hotel properties.
What taxes apply to Aspen short-term rentals?
Starting in 2026, the combined rate on nightly stays is 17.35% for owner-occupied and lodge-exempt rentals and 22.35% for Classic rentals. That includes a 5% or 10% short-term rental tax, depending on permit type, on top of sales and lodging taxes.
Is there a waitlist for Aspen short-term rental permits?
In zones where Classic permits are capped, new applicants may be waitlisted. If a permit becomes available, the applicant has 14 days to accept it.
Can an LLC hold an Aspen short-term rental permit?
Only with a named individual. The city will not accept an application from an LLC without the verifiable name of a natural person.
Do Aspen short-term rental permits renew automatically?
No. Permits expire at the end of each calendar year and must be renewed. A permit with a year of zero tax filings is treated as abandoned.
What about short-term rentals outside Aspen in Pitkin County?
Unincorporated Pitkin County runs its own licensing system, and short-term rentals are not permitted in most rural and remote areas. The county was reviewing changes in 2026, so check current rules for any specific property.
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