Overview and Key Takeaway

Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in unincorporated Larimer County, including the Laporte area, subject to a structured county permitting, inspection, and licensing regime. STRs are defined as principal dwellings rented to transient guests for 30 days or less when not occupied by the owner/operator, limited to 10 or fewer guests as a single party. Hosted STRs (owner on-site) are allowed and are categorized as “Small” (1–10 guests) or “Large” (11–16 guests). Bed and breakfast inns and resort lodges/cottages are distinct categories with their own standards. Importantly, operating an STR without prior approval is a violation subject to fines and enforcement.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Laporte (Unincorporated Larimer County)

• Step 1: Pre-Application Meeting

  • A pre-application meeting is required before any lodging facility use. The On Call Planner can verify planning process and eligibility. Submit requests through the county online portal; current scheduling is approximately 2–3 months out. Provide a proposal description and supporting documents. Help resources: online portal navigation guide and account registration instructions.

• Step 2: Determine Planning Approval Path

  • Based on occupancy and use type, choose the appropriate review process:
    • Administrative Special Review (AS)
    • Site Plan (PSP)
    • Special Review (S)
  • Reference the corresponding process guides (Administrative Special Review Process Guide; Site Plan Process Guide; Special Review Process Guide) to understand procedures, submittals, and public hearing requirements.

• Step 3: Building Conversion Permit and Life Safety Inspection

  • All dwellings used as STRs must obtain a county building permit for conversion to the new use, pass a life safety survey inspection, and receive a Certificate of Occupancy for the new use.
  • With 10 or fewer occupants (five or fewer guestrooms), the use can be reviewed under the International Residential Code.
  • With 11 or more occupants, the STR is reviewed under the International Building Code as R (residential) occupancies and requires fire suppression sprinklers, accessibility, and other commercial features.
  • Life safety inspection is scheduled via the online customer portal or automated phone system after the conversion permit is issued; approved plans and permit card must be on site. An adult must be present during inspection.

• Step 4: Licensing, Renewals, and Ongoing Compliance

  • After approvals, obtain the STR license and maintain renewal every other year (on the anniversary of original approval/license). Complete the applicable renewal form based on ownership structure (individuals or business/trust) and submit via email to the county. Maintain current Property Manager information and provide to neighbors within 500 feet; submit Verification of Completion and Change of Property Manager forms as required.
  • STR licenses may be transferable to new owners only under specific conditions defined in the Land Use Code (Article 3 – Use Regulations). Contact planning staff to confirm transfer eligibility; transfers currently carry no fee.

• Step 5: Business and Tax Setup

  • Obtain the required Colorado sales and use tax account license and Larimer County sales tax license prior to operation. Remit state, county, and any applicable local taxes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Planning and Zoning:

  • Pre-Application Meeting request via portal
  • Site Plan, Administrative Special Review, or Special Review application and associated documentation per process guide
  • Compliance with Land Use Code Article 3 – Use Regulations

• Building and Life Safety:

  • Conversion Building Permit
  • Life Safety Survey Inspection (with inspection checklist)
  • Certificate of Occupancy specifying bedrooms and maximum approved occupant load
  • For large hosted STRs (11+ occupants): fire suppression sprinklers, accessibility, and additional IBC features
  • For cooking areas: stove-top fire extinguishing system; approved fire extinguisher(s) as specified

• Licensing and Renewals:

  • Short-Term Rental License (initial)
  • License Renewal forms (every other year)
  • Property Manager Verification of Completion
  • Change of Property Manager form
  • Neighborhood notification materials (Property Manager contact information within 500 feet)

• Business/Tax:

  • Colorado Sales Tax Account License
  • Larimer County Sales Tax License
  • Sales, use, and lodging tax remittances as applicable

• Additional Referrals and Compliance:

  • Health Department referral (for septic/on-site wastewater)
  • Division of Water Resources (for well water)
  • Water and Sewer District coordination if applicable
  • Applicable Fire District coordination
  • Transportation Capital Expansion Fee (TCEF) for new construction or conversion to large STRs (11+ occupants)

Specific Regulations: Larimer County (Unincorporated), Laporte, and State of Colorado

• Larimer County STR Definitions and Caps:

  • Short-Term Rental (STR): principal dwelling rented to transient guests for 30 days or less, not owner-occupied; limited to 10 or fewer guests as one party.
  • Hosted STR: owner/resident on-site; Small Hosted (1–10 guests); Large Hosted (11–16 guests).
  • Bed and Breakfast Inn: owner/operator-occupied; accommodations for guests and meal limited to guests; limited to 20 or fewer guests.
  • Resort Lodge/Cottage: destination-oriented lodging under single management/ownership with on-site manager or staff.

• Zoning and Use Standards:

  • STRs are allowed in multiple zoning districts when approvals are obtained (e.g., FA, FA-1, FO, FO-1, O, E, E-1, T, R, R-1, R-2, A, AP). STRs may be allowed in other districts via rezoning or special exception.
  • Only one STR is permitted per property.
  • STRs are not allowed in regulated floodplains.
  • STRs cannot be located in an accessory dwelling (e.g., Accessory Living Area, extended family dwelling, or farmstead).

• Onsite Parking and Access:

  • STRs (10 or fewer guests): minimum two on-site parking spaces.
  • Large STRs (11+ guests): minimum two on-site parking spaces plus one additional space for every two bedrooms within the STR; paved accessible space required.
  • If access is from a paved road, on-site driveway and parking must be paved with concrete or asphalt.
  • Compliance with Land Use Code Section 8.6.3 required.

• Fire and Life Safety:

  • Stove-top fire stop/extinguishing system required in cooking areas.
  • Fire extinguisher(s) required if no approved sprinkler system, with specified locations.
  • Large STRs require an approved fire sprinkler system and additional features per Land Use Code Section 8.1.4.
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as required by applicable building codes.

• Sanitation and Water:

  • Connection to public sewer or approved on-site wastewater treatment system required.
  • Connection to public water supply or approved well required; referrals to water districts or Division of Water Resources may apply with additional requirements or fees.

• Transportation and Flood:

  • Transportation Capital Expansion Fee (TCEF) assessed for new construction or conversion to large STRs; cannot be appealed.
  • Safe and adequate access required during 100-year storm event if access road is in flood fringe or floodway; coordinate with Engineering Department.
  • Private road/easement access requires attorney documentation confirming legal authority for STR use.

• Life Safety Inspection:

  • Detailed requirements are in the Life Safety Inspection Checklist; review before scheduling to ensure compliance.

• Licensing and Enforcement:

  • Operating without prior approval is a violation; advertising without approval is explicitly prohibited and subject to fines, increased fees, and injunction.
  • Complaint process uses a “Three Strike” system: three valid complaints trigger code compliance review and potential STR approval review.
  • Neighborhood notification of Property Manager contact within 500 feet is required.

• Estes Valley Waitlist/Cap:

  • A waitlist and cap (208 registrations) applies in Estes Valley Residential Zone Districts (EV E, EV E-1, EV R, EV RE, EV RE-1, EV RM). Wait list spots are nontransferable. Outside Estes Valley, licenses are not subject to a waitlist.

• Taxes:

  • State of Colorado sales and use tax, county sales tax, and lodging taxes apply; obtain Colorado and Larimer County sales tax licenses and remit applicable taxes.

• Colorado State-Level Context:

  • No statewide STR regulations; counties and cities set their own rules. Common statewide expectations include sales/use tax licensing, local zoning compliance, and life safety standards. Most jurisdictions require local permits, insurance, and compliance with occupancy and parking rules.

• Laporte-Specific Notes:

  • Laporte is an unincorporated area within Larimer County; therefore, STRs are governed by Larimer County regulations summarized above. There are no separate city-specific rules for Laporte.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Planning Division (general information, pre-application meeting, planning reviews):

  • Physical 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
  • On Call Planner Email: planning@larimer.org
  • Phone: (970) 498-7679

• Building Division (building permits, life safety inspections, certificates of occupancy):

  • Phone: (970) 498-7660

• Code Compliance (complaints, enforcement):

  • STR Complaint Phone: (970) 236-7574
  • Online Complaint Form: use the provided county complaint portal

• Larimer County Sheriff (noise complaints, non-emergency):

  • Phone: (970) 416-1985

• Health Department (for septic and on-site wastewater):

  • Phone: (970) 498-6775

• Division of Water Resources (for wells):

  • Phone: (303) 866-3581

• Engineering Department (Transportation Capital Expansion Fees, flood access):

  • Phone: (970) 498-5700

Links to Source Pages (for Verification)

• Larimer County Short-Term Rentals (Main STR page): see “Larimer County Short-Term Rentals” page
• Approved Lodging Facilities Map: “Approved Lodging Facilities Map”
• Map FAQs: “Map FAQs”
• Land Use Code and Amendments: “Larimer County Land Use Code & Approved Amendments”
• Administrative Special Review Process Guide: “Administrative Special Review Process Guide”
• Site Plan Process Guide: “Site Plan Process Guide”
• Special Review Process Guide: “Special Review Process Guide”
• Building Division: “Building Division Webpage”
• Life Safety Inspection Checklist: “Life Safety Inspection Checklist”
• Short-Term Rental License Renewal (Owned by One or More Individuals): “License Renewal for a Short-Term Rental Owned by One or More Individuals”
• Short-Term Rental License Renewal (Owned by a Business or a Trust): “License Renewal for a Short-Term Rental Owned by a Business or a Trust”
• How to Generate a Mailing List: “Instructions on How to Generate a Mailing List”
• Verification of Completion Form: “Verification of Completion Form”
• Change of Property Manager Form: “Change of Property Manager Form”
• Land Use Code Article 3 – Use Regulations: “Article 3 – Use Regulations”
• Second Amended STR Ordinance: “Second Amended Ordinance for Enforcement of Short-Term Rental Regulations”
• Complaint Portal (STR complaints): use county STR complaint portal
• Code Compliance Website: “Code Compliance Website”
• Short-Term Rental Handout (2019): “Short-Term Rentals Handout”
• Colorado Sales Tax Account License: see Colorado Department of Revenue link
• Larimer County Sales Tax Information: see county sales tax license page
• Pre-Application Meeting Request: “Pre-Application Meeting Request”
• Online Portal Navigation Guide: “How to navigate the online portal”
• Account Registration Instructions: “How to create an account”

Important Reminders

• Approval timeline: Pre-application meetings typically schedule 2–3 months out; plan accordingly for project timelines.
• Advertising prohibition: Listing for rent without prior approval is a violation.
• Three-strike complaint policy: After three valid complaints, a code compliance case is initiated and STR approval reviewed.
• Transferability: STR licenses may transfer only under specific conditions; contact planning staff to verify eligibility.
• Seasonal and operational constraints: Maintain compliance with parking, life safety, sanitation, and notification requirements to avoid penalties.

This guide reflects Larimer County’s unincorporated STR regulations applicable to Laporte. Verify specifics with the Planning Division and Building Division before initiating any project or investment.