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Larkspur, CO

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Local STR Agent

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STR Regulations for Larkspur, Colorado

Executive overview: Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Douglas County’s unincorporated areas, which include the immediate vicinity west of the Town of Larkspur. However, within the Town of Larkspur’s incorporated limits, STRs are prohibited by municipal zoning; attempts to operate in-town carry significant fines. Investors should therefore distinguish carefully between two distinct geographies: the Town of Larkspur (STRs prohibited) and the unincorporated Douglas County pockets west of Larkspur (STRs allowed with a county license and fees).

Below is a practical, investor-grade roadmap—process steps, required documents, fees, taxes, inspection/review requirements, enforcement posture, and authoritative contacts—plus direct links to the source materials you provided.

Overview: STR Status in Larkspur vs Unincorporated Douglas County

Implication for investors: Larkspur proper is a no-go for STRs. Operationally viable properties lie in the unincorporated pockets west of Larkspur, subject to Douglas County’s licensing regime, PD/HOA restrictions, and multi-agency reviews.

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Larkspur hosts earn a median $35,346/year with $246 ADR and 56% occupancy.

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See the full Larkspur market breakdown

How to Start an STR in the Market Adjacent to Larkspur (Unincorporated Douglas County)

Douglas County governs STR licensing in unincorporated areas. The high-level path is:

  1. Confirm zoning eligibility using the county’s Zoning Lookup tool and any applicable PD/HOA covenants;
  2. Assemble and submit the full license application package (including inspections/supporting letters);
  3. Pay application review fee and annual license fee upon approval;
  4. Operate compliantly and renew annually.

Important operational notes:

  • Applications may be submitted by the owner or a non-owner; non-owner submissions require a signed, notarized owner consent letter.
  • The Local Responsible Agent must be designated to act on the owner’s behalf in their absence.
  • License renewal is required each year.

References:

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The county’s STR ordinance establishes the baseline licensing package. The following are required for a new license (first licensing year):

  1. Completed Short-Term Rental License Application (Douglas County form)

  2. Local Responsible Agent designation

    • Written, notarized declaration that the Local Responsible Agent is entitled to act, in the owner’s absence, as the owner’s representative for all issues related to the lodging unit, the short-term rental, and the property, and that both parties will comply with the ordinance.

  3. Application Review Fee (first licensing year)

    • Amount: $500 (non-refundable; payable upon submission of a complete application).

  4. Renter-facing compliance materials

    • Renter Information Interior Signage (post on or within the residence; must meet Section V.M. requirements).
    • Renter Written Instructions (must be available inside the residence; must meet Section V.N. requirements).

  5. Parking plan

    • Must meet Section V.H requirements of the ordinance (detail on required spaces, layout, and compliance).

  6. Life safety affidavit and posting commitments

    • Owner’s affidavit (under penalty of perjury) certifying the STR meets life safety standards in Section V.E, and that the required signage will be posted conspicuously for the license term.

  7. OWTS (septic) Use Permit (if applicable)

    • For residences served by On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems, include the Douglas County Health Department’s Use Permit specifying change in use to an STR (required for the first licensing year).

  8. Building Division approval

    • Copies of inspection reports/determinations from the Douglas County Building Division confirming the residence is acceptable for STR use.

  9. Health Department acceptance

    • Copies of inspection reports/determinations from the Douglas County Health Department confirming the lodging unit is acceptable for STR use.

After approval, the county will issue the license upon receipt of the Short-Term License Fee ($130).

License renewal (subsequent years) requires:

  • Completed Short-Term Rental License Application (same form).
  • Local Responsible Agent declaration (notarized).
  • Application Review Fee for renewal: $270.
  • Renter Information Interior Signage (current copy).
  • Renter Written Instructions (current copy).
  • Parking plan (current).
  • Life safety affidavit and signage posting commitments.

County staff may request confirmations from the Building Division and/or Health Department as part of renewal review.

Source references:

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City level (Town of Larkspur)

County level (Douglas County—unincorporated areas)

State level (Colorado)

  • No state-level STR statute was provided in the source materials. At a minimum, investors must comply with Douglas County’s ordinance and any applicable local (county/town) rules. If new state rules are enacted, investors should confirm requirements via county planning or the Colorado Division of Local Affairs.

Additional local taxes

  • Town of Larkspur imposes a 4% sales tax and a 6% lodging tax on lodging charges; operators should register and collect remittance as required.
  • For unincorporated Douglas County operations, confirm county-level tax obligations with the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office. The source materials provided do not enumerate county lodging tax rates; contact the Treasurer or the county’s STR contacts to verify rates and registration processes.
  • References:

Fees and Taxes

New license (first licensing year)

  • Application Review Fee: $500
  • License Fee (after approval): $130
  • Total due at approval: $130

License renewal (subsequent licensing years)

  • Application Review Fee: $270
  • License Fee (after approval): $130
  • Total due at renewal approval: $130

Ongoing compliance costs

  • Inspections: Building Division and Health Department, as applicable.
  • OWTS: Use Permit (first licensing year for septic properties).
  • Local Responsible Agent: notarization and signage/printing for renter-facing materials.
  • Taxes: Town of Larkspur sales tax (4%) and lodging tax (6%) are applicable for in-town lodging. Unincorporated county lodging/sales tax should be confirmed with the Treasurer’s office.

Sources:

Contact Information (Douglas County—Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

Primary licensing and zoning authority:

  • Douglas County Planning Services Division – Zoning Compliance
    • Phone: 303-660-7460
    • Email: douglascountyplanning@ (see note below)
    • Address: Planning Services Division, 100 Third St., 2nd Floor, Castle Rock, CO 80104
    • Email note: Replace “[email protected]” with the proper email address; confirm the current email via the contact page: www.douglas.co.us/contact-us/

Supporting departments (for inspections/confirmations):

Source Links (Direct)

For ease of verification, the following source pages underpin this guide:

If you intend to list properties near Larkspur, prioritize unincorporated Douglas County locations west of town, verify PD/HOA prohibitions, and complete the county licensing process—including Building and Health confirmations—before marketing. This approach protects your investment and avoids the Town of Larkspur’s zero-tolerance enforcement regime.

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Larkspur

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 Larkspur Market Analysis

Photos of Larkspur

Overview of Larkspur

Larkspur is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place in Douglas County, Colorado, sitting at the foot of the Rampart Range where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountain foothills. With a population of only a few hundred residents, it has the feel of a quiet country town rather than a tourist destination, yet it occupies a strategic position along the Interstate 25 corridor roughly between Denver and Colorado Springs. Travelers passing through often note the wide skies, ranch land, and the dramatic granite outcrops of the Rampart Range rising just to the west. Larkspur is best known as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the southern Front Range and as a convenient rest stop for travelers heading toward Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, and the high country beyond.

Just west of Larkspur, Castlewood Canyon State Park draws hikers, rock climbers, and history buffs to a narrow canyon carved by Cherry Creek, roughly a 15-minute drive from town. The park features short trails that lead to the ruins of a late-19th-century dam, dramatic sandstone walls, and a peaceful stretch of creek-bottom scenery that feels far removed from the busy interstate only a few miles east. It is one of the more underrated natural areas in the Denver metro region and tends to be less crowded than the parks closer to the city.

A short drive north of Larkspur brings visitors to Greenland Open Space, a Douglas County property popular with trail runners, mountain bikers, and equestrians. The trail system winds through rolling prairie and ponderosa stands with consistent views of Pikes Peak to the south and the Front Range urban corridor to the north. Because the area sits at a higher elevation than Denver, the summer temperatures are noticeably cooler, which adds to its appeal for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Rampart Range itself looms just beyond Larkspur's western edge, offering access to Pike National Forest, dispersed camping, and a network of forest roads that draw off-roaders and anglers heading to nearby reservoirs. Closer to town, Spruce Mountain Open Space provides a more accessible trail experience with a gradual climb to a rocky summit that rewards visitors with sweeping views of the Palmer Divide. Together, these open spaces make Larkspur an appealing base for guests who want to combine Front Range sightseeing with quieter, less-trafficked outdoor experiences.

For short-term rental owners, Larkspur's appeal lies in its balance: a small-town atmosphere and easy access to the Rampart Range, multiple county and state open spaces, and the cultural attractions of both Denver and Colorado Springs within roughly an hour's drive in either direction. The community's location appeals to road trippers exploring the I-25 corridor, outdoor travelers seeking a quieter alternative to mountain resort towns, and visitors attending events in nearby Castle Rock or Colorado Springs, all of which give the area steady year-round rental potential.

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