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Granby, CO

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STR Regulations for Granby, Colorado

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

Yes—short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Granby, Colorado, subject to a municipal permitting and regulatory framework. All STR properties within Granby town limits must obtain a Short-Term Rental (STR) permit and comply with Town Code Chapter 5.20, as well as fire safety and state tax requirements. The Town runs its own permitting portal (MUNIRevs/GovOS) and enforces occupancy, operational, and safety rules, including annual fire inspections via Grand Fire Protection District #1.

Note: If your property is located in unincorporated Grand County (outside town limits), Grand County STR rules apply instead. See the County section below for those requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Granby?

Granby hosts earn a median $30,861/year with $276 ADR and 47% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $50,508+ per year.

See the full Granby market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Granby

  1. Confirm your property is inside Granby town limits
  • Use the Granby Zoning Map to verify that the parcel is within the Town of Granby.
  • Properties in Silversage, Legacy Park, Innsbruck, and Val-Moritz subdivisions are NOT in the Town of Granby and fall under Grand County regulations.
  1. Review the Town’s STR Checklist
  • Download and follow the Town’s STR Checklist to understand application steps, documentation, and safety requirements.
  1. Register through the Town’s online portal
  • All STR registrations are completed in MUNIRevs/GovOS, where you submit documentation, pay fees, and manage renewals.
  • Important: The Town has indicated a registration transition period in late 2025; if the portal is temporarily unavailable, check the STR page for updates.
  1. Obtain fire safety compliance
  • Grand Fire Protection District #1 requires all STRs to install a Knox Box and pass an annual inspection.
  • Order a Knox Box through the vendor site (select Colorado and Grand Fire Protection District #1).
  • Request your inspection with Grand Fire.
  1. Prepare property and operations
  • Ensure compliance with safety equipment, posting, occupancy, parking, trash, and HOA/shared driveway rules (see detailed regulations below).
  1. Marketing and compliance
  • Post the permit number in all advertisements and ensure accurate occupancy listings.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permit Application (submitted via MUNIRevs/GovOS)

  • Standard Town application
  • Separate permit for each rental unit (time-share units are treated as one unit per permit)
  • Owner or designated responsible agent contact information, including a 24-hour phone number
  • Proof of liability insurance at least $500,000 (or platform-provided coverage meeting this threshold)
  • Narrative addressing all permit review criteria
  • Statement acknowledging that you have read and understand the Town’s STR rules and regulations
  • Evidence of a current sales tax tax license
  • Application must be completed within 14 days of online registration

Key Documentation to Upload

  • Short-Term Rental Affirmation form
  • STR Safety Checklist (Grand County template may be used for county portions of compliance if applicable; confirm with Town)
  • Parking plan showing on-site spaces and overflow plan
  • Wildlife-proof trash plan and weekly trash service arrangement
  • HOA written consent (if applicable)
  • Shared driveway permission (if applicable)
  • Annual Fire Inspection Report (from Grand Fire Protection District #1)

Safety Equipment Requirements (posted on-site inside the unit)

  • Interconnected smoke detectors in each separate room
  • Carbon monoxide detectors on every floor near sleeping areas and near gas-fueled equipment
  • Fire extinguishers on every floor (visible or clearly marked)
  • Egress doors and windows must remain operable and free of snow/debris
  • Knox Box and a key safe containing master keys at the main entrance
  • Address clearly marked with minimum 3-inch reflective/high-contrast numbers visible from the roadway

Financial and Tax Requirements

  • One-time application fee: $100
  • Annual permit fee: $728 per bedroom (as of January 1, 2024)
  • State tax: Colorado Sales Tax License (CR 0100) is required (see State section for details)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Town of Granby (Town Code Chapter 5.20)

Occupancy and Use

  • Maximum occupancy: 4 people more than twice the number of bedrooms listed in county records; lofts with an egress window or door may be treated as a bedroom.
  • Commercial gatherings or events (e.g., weddings) with non-guest attendees are prohibited.
  • No more than two pets per unit; all pets must have proper vaccinations and comply with local, county, and state laws.

Operational Responsibilities

  • Owner or designated responsible agent must be available 24/7 and able to respond to complaints within one hour.
  • Within 10 days of permit approval, the permit must be posted inside the STR unit.
  • Permit number must appear in all marketing materials; false or misleading occupancy marketing is a violation.

Parking and Property Standards

  • Utilize private driveways first; overflow parking on the street is permitted only if compliant with Town rules.
  • Parking in nondriveway areas (front yards, parkways, rear yards) is prohibited.
  • Property must comply with all Town planning, zoning, building, health, fire, noise, and sign codes.

Trash and Wildlife

  • Provide a clearly defined trash storage area with wildlife-proof containers and a regular weekly pickup schedule.
  • Garbage placed for street pickup must not be left out for more than 24 hours.
  • Property must be free of trash and debris.

Shared Driveway and HOA

  • Written permission from all affected property owners is required if access involves a shared driveway.
  • Written consent from the governing HOA is required if the property is within an HOA.

Inspections and Renewal

  • The Town may inspect STRs between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. with at least three days’ written notice.
  • Prior to renewal, owners must submit a report detailing total STR revenue and associated sales/use taxes for the preceding year.

Penalties (12-month rolling period)

  • First offense: Warning
  • Second offense: $500
  • Third and subsequent offenses: $1,000 and/or permit revocation

Renewal Restrictions (based on violations over prior 12 months)

  • 0–2 violations: Standard annual renewal
  • 3+ violations: Three-month suspension; future permits treated as new applications

Appeals

  • Submit written appeal to the Town Manager within 10 business days of denial/revocation.
  • Appeals are heard by the Board of Trustees within 30 days; the Board only overturns decisions deemed arbitrary and capricious.

Grand County (Unincorporated Areas)

Permit Requirement

  • All properties in unincorporated Grand County rented for less than 30 consecutive days must obtain a Grand County STR permit annually.

Fees and Occupancy

  • Permit fee: $100 per maximum advertised occupant (example: property sleeps 10 → $1,000 fee).
  • Maximum occupancy cap: 16 occupants regardless of bedroom count.
  • Properties with Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS/septic) are limited to design capacity (2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional occupants).

Required Documentation

  • Property address (verify in unincorporated areas using the County GIS map)
  • Names and contact information for two local emergency contacts who are full-time Grand County residents
  • STR Safety Checklist
  • Annual fire inspection report (see fire districts below)
  • Proof of bear-proof trash disposal
  • Parking plan
  • Proof of liability insurance

Annual Fire Inspections (choose based on district)

  • East Grand Fire District
  • Grand Fire Protection District #1
  • Grand Lake Fire District Use the County’s Fire District map to determine your jurisdiction.

Application and Payments

  • Apply through the County STR portal.
  • Fees payable by credit/debit or e-check; transaction fees apply (e-check $1.00; credit card $0.75 + 2.25%).
  • Refunds are not available for permit fees.

State of Colorado

Sales Tax and Lodging Tax

  • Obtain a Colorado Sales Tax License (CR 0100) to remit state sales and lodging taxes, unless you rely exclusively on a marketplace facilitator that remits on your behalf (e.g., Airbnb or Vrbo).
  • If you list on multiple platforms, you may need your own sales tax license to ensure accurate reporting and avoid duplicate collections.
  • House Bill 1240 (effective 10/1/2019) requires marketplace facilitators to collect and remit sales tax; confirm platform compliance for your exact address.

Compliance

  • STRs must comply with all state and local fire, building, health, and zoning codes (including IBC/IFC requirements for R-1 occupancies, as referenced in Town code).

Contact Information

Town of Granby STR Contacts

  • Code Enforcement Officer: Rich Carlson
  • Town of Granby (general)
    • Address: Zero Jasper Avenue, P.O. Box 440, Granby, CO 80446
    • Phone: 970-887-2501
    • Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Technical Support

Fire Safety

  • Grand Fire Protection District #1 (Fire Inspector: Willa Moore)

Grand County STR Contacts (for unincorporated areas)

  • Short Term Rental Program Office
    • Office: 970-725-3737
    • 24-Hour Hotline: 970-568-5344
    • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 238, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451
    • Physical Address: 308 Byers Avenue, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451
    • Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed on County holidays)
    • Contact form and complaint portal available on the County STR page

Source Links

This guide focuses exclusively on Granby and Grand County, including the city, county, and state-level requirements necessary to operate a compliant short-term rental. If your property is within Granby town limits, follow the Town of Granby permitting process and all rules under Chapter 5.20. If your property is outside town boundaries in unincorporated Grand County, follow the Grand County STR program requirements and fees.

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Granby

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Granby Market Analysis

Photos of Granby

Overview of Granby

Granby is a small mountain town in Grand County, Colorado, with a population of roughly 2,000 residents. Set at about 7,900 feet in the Rocky Mountains, it has the relaxed, outdoorsy character of a high-country community that doubles as a launch point for some of the most popular alpine destinations in the state. Granby is best known as a gateway to the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park and to the lakes and reservoirs that ring the headwaters of the Colorado River. It sits approximately 85 miles northwest of Denver, generally a drive of about an hour and a half to two hours over Berthoud Pass and through the Fraser Valley.

A short drive from Granby, the western entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park at Grand Lake offers a quieter, less crowded approach to the park than the eastern entrances, with quick access to Trail Ridge Road in the warmer months and to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. From the center of town, the Kawuneeche Valley entrance is roughly 20 to 30 minutes away by car, making Granby a practical base for visitors who want early-morning access to the park's quieter western trails and wildlife viewing areas.

Just to the northwest of Granby, the town of Grand Lake sits on the shore of Colorado's largest natural lake and doubles as a charming summer destination with a boardwalk, small shops, and a marina. The drive from Granby is about 15 minutes, and visitors often combine a trip to the lake with a day in the national park. The lake itself is a hub for fishing, sailing, and paddleboarding in warmer months.

Southeast of town, Lake Granby and the surrounding Arapaho National Recreation Area offer more than 40 miles of shoreline for boating, kayaking, and shoreline camping. The reservoir is a favorite for trout fishing and houseboating, and the surrounding national forest provides trails, campgrounds, and wildlife habitat that draw visitors year-round. The recreation area is generally within a 15 to 25 minute drive from most of Granby.

A short distance to the west, Hot Sulphur Springs is a small historic town famous for its natural hot mineral pools, which have been used as a resort destination for more than a century. About 20 minutes from Granby, the springs give visitors a relaxed, weatherproof activity that complements a day of hiking or skiing.

Granby appeals to short-term rental owners because it offers a genuine small-town mountain experience paired with reliable year-round demand. Summer travelers come for the national park, lake recreation, and cool high-country air, while winter visitors pass through on the way to ski areas and use the town as a calmer, more affordable alternative to busier resort communities. Its proximity to Grand Lake, the national park, and the surrounding reservoirs gives the area broad appeal across hiking, fishing, boating, and snow sports audiences, supporting steady occupancy through much of the year.

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