Berthoud, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Berthoud, CO?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Berthoud, Colorado. The Town of Berthoud adopted formal STR regulations in August 2024 that permit short-term rental operations through a licensing process. STRs are defined as "a principal dwelling rented to transient guests who are part of one party for short-term lodging (30 days or less) when not occupied by the owner/operator."

The town has implemented a comprehensive regulatory framework that includes:

A maximum cap of 50 active STR licenses town-wide
Zoning restrictions allowing STRs in specific residential and commercial districts
Strict safety and operational standards
Annual licensing and renewal requirements

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Berthoud?

Berthoud hosts earn a median $31,330/year with $233 ADR and 73% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $48,650+ per year.

See the full Berthoud market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Berthoud

Step 1: Pre-Application Assessment

Verify Zoning Eligibility: Confirm your property is located in an allowed zoning district (AG, TN, R1, R2, R3, R4, C1, C2, M1, M2, CD, SR, SC, UR, UC)
Check Covenants: Obtain written confirmation from your HOA/Metro District that STRs are permitted per covenants
Site Analysis: Ensure your property meets the 200-foot separation requirement from other STRs
Capacity Planning: Verify you can accommodate the maximum 10 guests and required parking

Step 2: Application Submission

Submit complete application to STR@berthoud.org including all required documents and fees (check payments only). Applications can be mailed or dropped off to:

Town of Berthoud Planning Division 807 Mountain Avenue P.O. Box 1229 Berthoud, CO 80513

Step 3: Inspection Process

Life Safety Inspection: Schedule with Town Building Official
Address Modifications: Complete any required building permits for safety improvements
Re-inspection: Obtain approval if modifications were required

Step 4: License Issuance

Upon approval, receive:

STR Business License (valid for one year)
Lodging Tax License
Annual renewal requirements

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Town of Berthoud Requirements

Business License Application

Completed application form
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Proof of Ownership (Ownership & Encumbrance report)
HOA/Metro District letter (if applicable)
Operations Manual
Proof of Liability Insurance
Neighbor notification letter and mailing list
Lodging Tax License application
Application fees and review deposit

Safety and Compliance

Life Safety Inspection: Required at initial licensing and annually
Fire Safety: Approved fire extinguishers or automatic sprinkler system
Detection Systems: Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in working order
Egress: Adequate building egress from sleeping rooms with posted egress maps
Emergency Information: Posted signs with property address, guest limits, emergency contacts

Operational Requirements

Property Manager: Local manager within 20-mile radius, available 24/7, respond within one hour
Insurance: Property liability insurance adequate for STR operation
Neighbor Notification: Written notice to all property owners within 500 feet within 10 days of approval

State of Colorado Requirements

State Sales Tax License: Required for collecting and remitting sales and lodging taxes
Tax Compliance: STR subject to lodging, sales, and other applicable taxes

Specific Regulations

City of Berthoud Regulations

Zoning Compliance

STRs are permitted as principal uses by right in the following districts:

Agricultural (AG)
Traditional Neighborhood (TN)
Residential R1, R2, R3, R4
Commercial C1, C2
Industrial M1, M2
Conservation Development (CD)
Suburban Residential (SR)
Suburban Commercial (SC)
Urban Residential (UR)
Urban Commercial (UC)

Operational Limits

Maximum Guests: 10 or fewer guests from one party
Occupancy Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons per property (max 10)
Parking Requirements:
- 1-2 bedrooms: 1 off-street space minimum
- 3-4 bedrooms: 3 off-street spaces minimum
- 5 bedrooms: 4 off-street spaces minimum
- One on-street space within one block may count toward requirement for properties without garage/driveway

Prohibited Activities

Use as event space (weddings, commercial/corporate events)
Overnight stays in vehicles, RVs, tents, or outdoor structures
Changes to exterior appearance that alter neighborhood character
Operation in multifamily apartment dwellings
More than one STR per property

License Restrictions

Maximum 2 STR licenses per property owner
Licenses non-transferable (person-specific, not property-specific)
Annual renewal required
Failure to collect/remit lodging taxes results in 2-year renewal prohibition

Larimer County Regulations (Unincorporated Areas)

For properties outside Berthoud town limits but within Larimer County:

License Categories

Unhosted STR: Principal dwelling rented when owner not present (1-10 guests)
Hosted STR: Owner-resident present during rental (1-10 small, 11-16 large)
Bed and Breakfast: Up to 20 guests with meal service
Resort Lodge/Cottage: Destination-focused with on-site management

Application Process

Pre-application meeting required
Building permit for conversion to lodging use
Life safety inspection and Certificate of Occupancy
Administrative Special Review for most STRs
Fire suppression sprinklers required for large hosted STRs/B&Bs

Compliance Framework

Biennial renewal (every two years)
Property manager contact required
Neighbor notification within 500 feet
"Three Strike" complaint system leading to code compliance review

State of Colorado Regulations

Tax Requirements

Sales tax collection and remittance
Lodging tax compliance
State Sales Tax License acquisition required

Contact Information

Town of Berthoud

Short-Term Rental Licensing

Phone: 970.532.2643
Fax: 970.532.0640
Email: STR@berthoud.org
Address: 807 Mountain Avenue, P.O. Box 1229, Berthoud, CO 80513
Website: www.berthoud.org/178/Planning-Department

Larimer County Planning Division

Short-Term Rental Licensing (Unincorporated Areas)

Phone: 970.498.7679 (Planning Division)
Phone: 970.498.7683 (License Transfer Inquiries)
Email: planning@larimer.org
Email: PlanningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us (License Renewal)
Address: 200 W. Oak Street, Third Floor, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8am-4pm; Wed: 10am-4pm
Website: www.larimer.gov/short-term-rentals

Code Compliance and Complaints

Berthoud: Contact Planning Division for STR-specific complaints
Larimer County:
- STR Complaints: 970.236.7574
- Online Complaint Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/larimer-county-co/complaints/type
- Noise Complaints: Larimer County Sheriff 970.416.1985

Colorado Department of Revenue

State Sales Tax Licensing

Website: tax.colorado.gov/
Form DR1917: tax.colorado.gov/sites/tax/files/DR1917_2020.pdf

Source Links

Town of Berthoud Development Code: www.berthoud.org/DocumentCenter/View/5387
Berthoud STR Business License FAQ: berthoud.org/DocumentCenter/View/5364/STR-Business-License-FAQ-Document?bidId=-
Berthoud Planning Department: www.berthoud.org/178/Planning-Department
Berthoud Weekly Surveyor Analysis: berthoudsurveyor.com/breakdown-of-berthouds-first-draft-for-short-term-rental-policy/
Larimer County STR Regulation Updates: www.larimer.gov/planning/short-term-rentals-regulation-updates
Larimer County STR Main Page: www.larimer.gov/short-term-rentals
Larimer County Land Use Code: www.larimer.gov/planning/land-use-code
Colorado Sales Tax License Form: tax.colorado.gov/sites/tax/files/DR1917_2020.pdf

Important Note: Regulations may be updated periodically. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with STR operations. The town cap of 50 STRs means availability is limited and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Next step

Found a property in Berthoud?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Berthoud

Berthoud is a small, growing town situated in Larimer County in northern Colorado, with a population of approximately 10,000 residents. It sits roughly between Fort Collins and Boulder along the Front Range, about 50 miles north of Denver, giving it a quiet small-town atmosphere while remaining within easy reach of larger urban centers and the Rocky Mountains. Long known as the "Garden Spot of Colorado" for its agricultural roots along the Little Thompson River, Berthoud retains a quaint, historic feel that has drawn new residents and visitors in recent years, and it increasingly serves as a convenient base for travelers exploring the northern Front Range.

For those drawn to alpine scenery, Rocky Mountain National Park lies about 50 miles to the west, with the Estes Park entrance reachable in roughly an hour and a half by way of Loveland. The park offers world-class hiking, wildlife viewing, and drives along Trail Ridge Road, making it one of the most visited national parks in the country and a major draw for visitors who want a quieter home base than Estes Park itself.

Closer to town, outdoor recreation centers on a pair of well-loved reservoirs. Horsetooth Reservoir, a long, narrow body of water tucked into the foothills west of Fort Collins, is roughly 20 minutes north of Berthoud and offers boating, fishing, and shoreline trails popular with locals. Carter Lake, another Front Range reservoir southwest of Berthoud in the hills between Loveland and Estes Park, draws visitors for sailing, paddling, and rock climbing at the well-known Deviations crags and other surrounding cliffs.

Downtown Berthoud itself, anchored around the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Third Street, preserves a small collection of locally owned shops, cafes, and historic brick buildings dating to the late 1800s. The town grew up along the Colorado Central Railroad, and that rail heritage is still visible in the layout and architecture of the historic core. A seasonal farmers market and recurring community events give the downtown a friendly, walkable character that stands apart from the more sprawling commercial strips of the nearby larger cities.

Berthoud is a compelling base for short-term rentals precisely because it offers a balance that is hard to find elsewhere along the Front Range: a peaceful, small-town setting with genuine historic character, paired with quick access to some of Colorado's most celebrated outdoor destinations. Guests can spend the morning on a mountain trail or out on a reservoir and return to a quiet residential street by evening, all while remaining within a reasonable drive of Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. For travelers who want Rocky Mountain access without the crowds of Estes Park or the higher costs of Boulder, Berthoud offers an appealing middle ground that continues to attract both leisure visitors and remote workers putting down temporary roots in northern Colorado.