This guide consolidates the requirements and practical steps for operating a short‑term rental (STR) in the Castle Rock market. It differentiates between the Town of Castle Rock (municipal limits) and unincorporated Douglas County to help investors avoid compliance missteps.

Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Castle Rock?

Explicitly, yes: the Town of Castle Rock does not regulate short-term rentals such as Airbnb or VRBO. However, Castle Rock does regulate the business activity that an STR represents. All STR operators in town must obtain a Town business license and collect/remit applicable lodging and sales tax. If your property lies outside municipal limits (in unincorporated Douglas County), different county rules apply and a separate county STR license is required.

Important practical note: Even if town code does not regulate STRs, homeowners associations (HOAs) commonly impose their own restrictions or outright bans. Confirm HOA rules and your property’s zoning before listing.

Source: Town of Castle Rock FAQ on STRs (Dec. 20, 2023) [www.crgov.com/faq.aspx?qid=742]

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Castle Rock (Town Limits)

• Confirm HOA restrictions and zoning. HOAs frequently limit STR activity.
• Apply for a Town business license and set up tax remittance for lodging and sales tax.
• Establish operations: guest screening, turnover procedures, safety protocols, and compliance with any HOA rules regarding parking, occupancy, and quiet hours.
• List and market the property; ensure you are collecting and remitting lodging and sales tax as required by the Town.

Unincorporated Douglas County (Outside Town Limits)

• Confirm zoning; rentals are prohibited in many planned developments unless the PD specifically allows STR use. Check the Douglas County zoning lookup tool.
• Apply for a Douglas County Short-Term Rental License (initial or renewal) with the Zoning Compliance team.
• Comply with county requirements: local responsible agent designation, posting renter information signage, providing written renter instructions, parking plan, safety affidavit, and inspections (Building and Health Department as applicable).
• Implement operational protocols to align with county rules (e.g., parking and guest instructions) and HOA restrictions.

Source: Douglas County Planning – Short-Term Rentals [www.douglas.co.us/planning/development-review-regulations/short-term-rentals/]

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Town of Castle Rock (Municipal Limits)

• Town Business License (including sales and lodging tax registration); see Business and Tax Licensing portal.
• Compliance with any HOA rules applicable to the property.
• Collection and remittance of applicable lodging and sales tax per Town requirements.

Sources: Castle Rock Finance/Revenue/Sales Tax pages [www.crgov.com/1676/Revenue-Sales-Tax], [www.crgov.com/1677/Business-and-Tax-Licensing]

Unincorporated Douglas County

• Short-Term Rental License Application (owner or non‑owner applicant; non-owner applicants must include a notarized letter of consent from the owner).
• Application Review Fee (first year: $500; renewal: $270).
• License Fee: $130.
• Local Responsible Agent notarized declaration.
• Renter Information Interior Signage (posted on/in the residence).
• Renter Written Instructions (available to guests inside the residence).
• Parking Plan.
• Owner’s affidavit under penalty of perjury confirming life safety standards and signage placement.
• For first licensing year on OWTS (septic), a Use Permit from the Douglas County Health Department authorizing STR use.
• Copies of inspection reports/determinations from Douglas County Building Division and Health Department as applicable.
• Annual renewal includes updated fees and re-confirmation of signage, parking plan, and safety affidavit; the county may request updated confirmations.

Source: Douglas County STR requirements and fees [www.douglas.co.us/planning/development-review-regulations/short-term-rentals/]

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (City, County, and State)

Town of Castle Rock (Municipal)

• The Town does not specifically regulate STRs (no STR‑specific license or caps).
• All businesses, including STRs, must obtain a Town business license and collect/remit lodging and sales tax.
• HOAs frequently impose their own restrictions; confirm these before listing.

Douglas County (Unincorporated)

• License required; valid for one year. Licenses may be denied or limited by zoning, including prohibitions in planned developments unless specifically allowed by PD.
• Local Responsible Agent is required. The agent may be the owner or a designated third party.
• Mandatory signage, written renter instructions, parking plan, and life safety compliance; inspections may be required (Building/Health).
• License fees: $500 review (first year), $270 review (renewal), $130 license fee.
• Exemptions include: hotel/motel/campgrounds, hotel units, bed and breakfasts, long‑term leases (>30 days), units not leased >14 days/year and not advertised as STRs, and certain Country Club dwellings for member/guest use.

Colorado State-Level (General Guidelines)

• Colorado does not impose a statewide STR registration scheme. Compliance is primarily local (town/county). Municipalities and counties may require business licenses, STR permits, lodging/sales tax collection, and safety requirements.
• Investors should confirm the current state and local tax obligations (e.g., state sales tax and applicable local lodging taxes) and any safety standards with the relevant local authorities. Douglas County requires proof of life safety compliance and may request Building and Health Department confirmations.

Sources: Castle Rock FAQ; Douglas County STR regulations; Douglas County ordinance (O-023-003) [www.douglas.co.us/documents/o-223-003-an-ordinance-regulating-short-term-rentals.pdf/]; Background news on county adoption [www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/archives/douglas-county/news/article_94976e83-5bab-537f-9624-72a07e352e26.html]

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

Town of Castle Rock

• Main Phone: 720‑896‑8696
• Location: 100 N. Wilcox St., Castle Rock, CO 80104
• Business and Tax Licensing (including lodging/sales tax setup): Finance/Revenue Department portal [www.crgov.com/1677/Business-and-Tax-Licensing]

Douglas County (Unincorporated)

• Planning Services Division (Zoning Compliance)
  • Phone: 303‑660‑7460
  • Email: See email contact listed at [www.douglas.co.us/planning/development-review-regulations/short-term-rentals/]
  • Location: 100 Third St., 2nd Floor, Castle Rock, CO 80104
  • General County Info: 303‑660‑7400
  • Zoning Lookup Tool: [dougco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=0b1fdb7684e74c10a0ff554dd48cfcee]

Sources: Castle Rock contact page [www.crgov.com]; Douglas County STR page [www.douglas.co.us/planning/development-review-regulations/short-term-rentals/]

Links to Source Pages

• Town of Castle Rock – Is a short-term rental allowed in Castle Rock? (FAQ ID 742) [www.crgov.com/faq.aspx?qid=742]
• Town of Castle Rock – Finance/Revenue/Sales Tax [www.crgov.com/1676/Revenue-Sales-Tax]
• Town of Castle Rock – Business and Tax Licensing [www.crgov.com/1677/Business-and-Tax-Licensing]
• Town of Castle Rock – Contact Us (phone, address) [www.crgov.com/]
• Douglas County – Short-Term Rentals (regulations, application, fees) [www.douglas.co.us/planning/development-review-regulations/short-term-rentals/]
• Douglas County – Ordinance Regulating Short-Term Rentals (O-023-003) [www.douglas.co.us/documents/o-223-003-an-ordinance-regulating-short-term-rentals.pdf/]
• Douglas County – Zoning Lookup Tool [dougco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=0b1fdb7684e74c10a0ff554dd48cfcee]
• Douglas County – Building Division [www.douglas.co.us/building-division/]
• Douglas County – Health Department [www.douglas.co.us/health-department/]
• Douglas County – Planning Services Division (contact details) [www.douglas.co.us/planning/]
• Colorado Community Media – Douglas County approves STR regulations (background article) [www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/archives/douglas-county/news/article_94976e83-5bab-537f-9624-72a07e352e26.html]