Johnstown, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Johnstown, Colorado. However, they are highly regulated and require proper licensing, permits, and ongoing compliance with both municipal and county regulations. Johnstown defines a short-term rental as "the rental of a residential dwelling, or a portion thereof, for less than thirty (30) days for residential purposes."

All short-term rental units must be licensed with the Town Clerk's Office and must adhere to specified Rules and Regulations as outlined in Johnstown Municipal Code Chapter 6, Section 6-61.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Johnstown?

Johnstown hosts earn a median $22,161/year with $166 ADR and 61% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $33,391+ per year.

See the full Johnstown market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Johnstown

Step 1: Verify Eligibility and Jurisdiction

Confirm your property is within Johnstown town limits
Determine if you need county permits (if property is in unincorporated areas)
Contact the Town Clerk's Office to verify eligibility: 970-587-4664

Step 2: Pre-Application Planning (For County Properties)

If your property is in unincorporated Larimer County:

Required: Schedule a pre-application meeting with planning staff
Contact planning@larimer.org or call (970) 498-7683
Include parcel number and address for eligibility verification
Be prepared to wait 2-3 months for meeting scheduling

Step 3: Complete Required Applications

Complete the Short-Term Rental License Application
Complete the Lodging Tax Certification Application
Ensure all required documents are attached

Step 4: Submit Application and Pay Fees

Submit applications to the Town Clerk's Office
Pay required license fee (amount not specified in provided content)
Provide copies of sales tax and county lodging tax licenses to hhill@johnstownco.gov

Step 5: Undergo Review Process

Application review by Town Clerk's Office
Potential inspection requirements
Annual license renewal process

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Municipal Requirements (Town of Johnstown)

Required Documents for Application:

Property and Liability Insurance listing the property as a short-term rental
Photo of designated parking spaces
Proof of ownership (deed, mortgage statement, etc.)
Lodging Tax Registration Form
Sales tax license copy
County lodging tax license copy

Key Application Information Required:

Applicant/property owner contact details
Property address and ownership verification
Emergency contact information
Maximum occupancy and number of bedrooms
Detailed parking plan with photo documentation
Business name and address

County Requirements (Larimer County - Unincorporated Areas)

Building and Safety Permits:

County building permit for conversion to STR use
Life safety survey inspection
Certificate of Occupancy for new use

Occupancy Classification:

10 or fewer occupants: Reviewed under International Residential Code
11+ occupants: Reviewed under International Building Code as R (residential) occupancies

Enhanced Requirements for Large Hosted STRs/B&Bs (11-16 guests):

Fire suppression sprinklers
Accessibility features
Additional life safety measures

License Types and Definitions

Short-Term Rental (STR):

Principal dwelling rented to transient guests for 30 days or less
Maximum 10 guests per party/single group
Not occupied by owner/operator during rental

Hosted Short-Term Rental:

Owner/operator occupied dwelling
Small: 10 or fewer guests
Large: 11-16 guests maximum

Bed and Breakfast Inn:

Owner/operator occupied establishment
Maximum 20 guests
May provide meal service to guests only

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Town of Johnstown Regulations

Annual License Renewal Required
Must comply with Municipal Code Chapter 6
Lodging tax registration mandatory
Parking plan required and enforceable
Maximum occupancy limits strictly enforced

Larimer County Regulations

Use Standards (Article 3.3.5.B):

Only one STR allowed per property
Pre-application meeting mandatory before any STR application
Property manager contact information must be provided to all neighbors within 500 feet

Life Safety Inspection Requirements:

Cannot be scheduled until conversion permit is issued
Approved plans and permit card must be on-site
Adult must be present during inspection
Detailed life safety survey covers multiple categories

Complaint and Enforcement System:

"Three Strike" system: 3 valid complaints trigger code compliance case
Advertising STR without prior approval is violation subject to fines and injunction
County maintains approved STR map for reference

Waitlist Restrictions:

Estes Valley Residential Zone Districts subject to 208-STR license cap
Waitlist maintained for these districts
Other zoning districts not subject to waitlist but license still required

State of Colorado Regulations

Short-Term Rental Definitions:

Rentals for 30 days or less trigger STR regulations
State-level lodging tax requirements may apply
Sales tax registration required for business operations

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Town of Johnstown (Municipal Licensing)

Town Clerk - Meghan Martinez

Email: msmartinez@johnstownco.gov
Phone: 970-587-4664
Address: 450 South Parish Avenue, Johnstown, CO 80534
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Town General Contact:

Phone: 970-587-4664
Website: johnstownco.gov
Municipal Code: library.municode.com/co/johnstown/codes/municipal_code

Larimer County (County Planning and Permits)

Planning Division Contact:

Email: planning@larimer.org
Phone: (970) 498-7679
Address: 200 W. Oak Street, Third Floor, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Hours: Mon 8am-4pm, Tue 8am-4pm, Wed 10am-4pm, Thu 8am-4pm, Fri 8am-4pm

STR Specific Contacts:

Pre-application meeting requests: planning@larimer.org
License transfers: PlanningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us
Phone: (970) 498-7683

Complaint Contacts:

STR complaints: (970) 236-7574
Noise complaints: Larimer County Sheriff (970) 416-1985
Online complaint portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/larimer-county-co

Building Division:

Online portal: onlineportal.larimer.org
Permit scheduling through online customer portal

Links to Source Pages

Town of Johnstown

Larimer County

Important Process Documents

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for STR investment in Johnstown, CO, emphasizing the critical distinction between municipal and county requirements while highlighting the essential compliance steps necessary for successful operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Johnstown

Johnstown is a small town in northern Colorado, situated primarily in Weld County with portions reaching into Larimer County. With a population of approximately 17,000 to 18,000 residents, the town sits along the busy Interstate 25 corridor between Fort Collins to the north and the Denver metropolitan area to the south. It has a quiet, semi-rural character that reflects its agricultural roots, with open fields, family farms, and newer suburban neighborhoods coexisting side by side. Johnstown serves as a convenient and affordable base for travelers exploring Colorado's northern Front Range, offering a calmer alternative to the busier resort towns while still providing easy access to the mountains, lakes, and larger cities that define the region.

The towering peaks and alpine wilderness of Rocky Mountain National Park draw visitors year-round from a home base in Johnstown. About an hour and a half to the west, the park's Trail Ridge Road, glacier-carved valleys, and abundant elk and bighorn sheep populations make it one of the most visited natural destinations in the country, with appeal across all four seasons.

Just minutes to the northwest, the city of Loveland offers a charming downtown filled with public art, working bronze foundries, and the iconic Devil's Backbone Open Space, a striking hogback ridge popular for hiking and mountain biking. Nearby Boyd Lake State Park provides boating, swimming, and camping opportunities during the warmer months, drawing both locals and out-of-town guests.

A short drive north brings visitors to Fort Collins, home to Colorado State University and one of Colorado's most vibrant downtowns. With its network of craft breweries, the Horsetooth Reservoir just west of the city, and the Cache la Poudre River flowing out of the mountains, Fort Collins appeals to outdoor enthusiasts, beer lovers, and families alike. The Poudre Canyon, in particular, is well known for whitewater rafting, fly fishing, and scenic drives.

Johnstown's appeal as a short-term rental market lies in its balance of small-town calm and regional accessibility. Visitors can spend the day hiking in the high country, exploring downtown Fort Collins or Loveland, or sampling the area's breweries and restaurants before returning to a quieter, more affordable base. Its central position between Denver, Fort Collins, and the eastern approach to the Rocky Mountains makes it a practical and inviting home base for travelers seeking variety without the cost or congestion of staying directly in the larger gateway cities.