Executive overview: Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Loveland and in the unincorporated areas of Larimer County. If your property lies inside the City of Loveland’s corporate limits, Loveland’s municipal rules, business licensing, and sales tax requirements govern. If your property is outside Loveland but within unincorporated Larimer County, County regulations govern. The primary difference for investors is licensing and tax administration: City of Loveland issues its own business license and administers local sales tax, while unincorporated Larimer County licenses and regulates STRs through Planning/Community Development with County sales/use tax collection. In both cases, building life-safety inspections and occupancy limits apply, and local noise, wildlife, and complaint processes are enforced.

1) Loveland STR Market Overview (Allowed and How It Works)

• City of Loveland (inside city limits): STRs are allowed subject to City of Loveland zoning and business licensing. You must confirm use permissions in your specific zoning district with City Planning and obtain any City business license prior to advertising or operating. STRs may be subject to City sales tax and local compliance programs.
• Larimer County (unincorporated Loveland area): STRs are allowed subject to County “Lodging Facilities in Residential Dwellings” regulations and licensing. Licensing is required before advertising or renting for 30 days or fewer.
• Occupancy and party limits:
  • Short-Term Rental (non-hosted): Up to 10 or fewer guests as one party/reservation.
  • Hosted Short-Term Rental (owner/operator on-site):
    • Small: 1–10 guests
    • Large: 11–16 guests
  • Bed & Breakfast Inn (owner/operator on-site): Up to 20 guests
• Key local features:
  • One STR per property (no stacking).
  • Life-safety inspection and Certificate of Occupancy required for conversions to lodging use.
  • Large hosted STRs (11–16 guests) and B&Bs (up to 20 guests) may trigger fire sprinklers, accessibility, and other International Building Code/International Residential Code measures.
  • Estes Valley waitlist cap: 208 active STR registrations at any time; waitlist spots are nontransferable.
  • Complaint handling follows a “Three Strike” system; third valid complaint triggers code compliance review.

Reference: Larimer County STR definitions and limits (Short-Term Rental, Hosted STR, Bed and Breakfast Inn; 10/16/20 guest caps) and one-STR-per-property rule are defined in the County program materials.

2) How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

Inside City of Loveland:

• Confirm zoning/land use with City Planning; determine whether STR is a permitted or conditional use in your district and what approvals may be required (e.g., Conditional Use Permit, business license).
• Apply for any City business license; register for City sales tax if renting transient lodging.
• Proceed with building life-safety inspections/Certificate of Occupancy as required by scope and occupancy.
• Assemble an Operations Manual; set maximum occupancy; publish clear parking, noise, wildlife, and emergency instructions.
• Begin advertising only after all approvals/licenses are issued.

In Unincorporated Larimer County:

• Pre-application meeting: Required prior to applying. Use the County’s online portal. A planner assigns the review path (Administrative Special Review, Site Plan, or Special Review).
• Planning review: Prepare submittal package (see Required Documents), including a detailed Operations Manual, site/floor plans, egress maps, and any additional reports (fire protection plan, traffic, water supply, drainage, wildlife, soils, wetland mitigation).
• Building conversion permit: After planning approval, obtain a building permit for conversion to lodging use; schedule and pass a life-safety survey inspection with County approved plans and permit card on site; receive a Certificate of Occupancy.
• License issuance: Following approvals and inspections, submit the County STR license application/renewal materials and fee; obtain approval before advertising or operating.
• Ongoing compliance: Renew the STR license every two years; maintain a local property manager and notify neighbors within 500 feet; maintain Operations Manual on-site; comply with “Three Strike” complaint process.

Important County note: “Any advertising listing a Short-term Rental for rent or published to solicit a Short-term Rental for rent, without prior approval, is a violation of this Ordinance and will be subject to fines, increased fees and injunction proceedings.”

3) Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Loveland (inside city limits):

• City Planning confirmation of zoning/land use (contact City Planning for use-specific approvals).
• City business license (if required).
• City sales tax registration/return setup.
• Building permit, life-safety inspection, and Certificate of Occupancy (as applicable).
• Operations Manual and compliance signage (occupancy limits, parking, noise, wildlife, emergency shutoffs, egress routes).
• Advertising only after all approvals/licenses are obtained.

Larimer County (unincorporated):

• Required submittals and approvals include:
  • Application Form (signed by all owners and applicant).
  • Application fee and any associated fees (see current County fee schedule).
  • Project Description addressing Administrative Special Review criteria and STR standards (Article 3.3.5.B and Section 6.4.3).
  • Operations Manual with: 24-hour owner/property manager contacts; address/GPS/phone; property map and trespass avoidance; maximum occupancy; parking instructions; egress maps; emergency 911/fire district registration; emergency shutoff info; fire extinguisher instructions; stove-top fire stop info; garbage plan; fire pit/wildfire hazard info; wildlife interaction guidance; quiet hours.
  • Preliminary Site Plan and Floor Plans; Egress Maps (all habitable rooms); Property Information form.
  • Reports/Plans as applicable: Fire Protection Plan (with water district letter), Site Lighting Photometric Plan, Traffic Impact Study/ Memo, Water Supply Report, Drainage & Erosion Control Report/Plan, Sewage Disposal Report, Wildlife Conservation Plan, Soils Report, Wetland Mitigation Report.
  • For 11 or more occupants: Additional engineering items and final site plan deliverables including executed drainage and road dedication/easement agreements.
  • Non-Subdivision Water Supply Inquiry (if well water).
  • Ownership & Encumbrance (title).
  • Mineral Interest Notification (new construction only).
• Building Permit and Life-Safety Inspection:
  • Conversion to lodging requires County building permit and passing life-safety survey with Certificate of Occupancy.
  • 10 or fewer occupants (≤5 guestrooms): International Residential Code (IRC).
  • 11 or more occupants: International Building Code (IBC) R-occupancy; fire sprinklers, accessibility and other features may be required.
• STR License application and renewal:
  • License renewal every two years on the anniversary of original approval/license.
  • Forms available for licenses owned by individuals and for licenses owned by a business/trust; submit completed forms to PlanningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us.
  • Property Manager forms: Verification of Completion and Change of Property Manager.
  • Neighbor notice: Provide property manager contact to all neighbors within 500 feet (instructions for generating mailing list provided).
  • Transfer eligibility: Verify with County before closing; email PlanningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us or call (970) 498-7683.

4) Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Loveland (inside city limits):

• Zoning and municipal code govern land use, licensing, and sales tax for businesses operating within the city. City of Loveland’s Municipal Code and sales tax regulations apply; confirm any STR-specific licensing and tax requirements with the City.

Larimer County (unincorporated):

• STRs must meet use standards under Article 3.3.5.B, 13.6.1.C (Estes Valley), and related review processes (Article 6.4.3 and associated site plan/final plan procedures).
• Maximum occupancy and guest caps apply (10 for STR; 10 or 16 for hosted; 20 for B&B).
• Life-safety requirements include fire extinguishers in specific locations, stove-top fire stop devices, egress maps, and fire sprinklers for certain occupancy levels.
• Parking: On-site only; provide parking instructions and count.
• Wildfire and wildlife: Fire pits may be restricted in wildfire hazard areas; provide wildlife interaction guidance in the Operations Manual.
• Complaint handling: “Three Strike” system; third valid complaint triggers code compliance review.
• Estes Valley waitlist: 208 registration cap; maintained by County; waitlist spots nontransferable.
• Advertising prohibition: Advertising without prior approval is a violation; fines/fees/injunctions can result.

State of Colorado:

• Short-term lodging transactions are subject to State sales tax (2.9% statewide) and applicable State filing obligations through the Department of Revenue (my.gov).
• Local sales/use taxes may also apply:
  • City of Loveland sales tax for properties within city limits.
  • Larimer County sales/use tax for properties in unincorporated areas.
• Lodging Taxes: Additional county lodging taxes may apply; consult the County’s fee/tax schedules and the my.gov platform for filing and remittance.

5) Local Contacts

City of Loveland (inside city limits):

• City of Loveland Business Licensing (sales tax licensing): See City “Apply for a Sales Tax License” and “View Sales Tax Regulations.”
• City of Loveland Sales Tax: www.lovgov.org/business/view-sales-tax-regulations
• City of Loveland Planning/Community Development (zoning confirmation): www.lovgov.org
• City of Loveland general contact: See City website “Contact Us.”

Larimer County (unincorporated):

• Planning Division (pre-application, STR applications, eligibility):
  • Address: 200 W. Oak Street, 3rd Floor, Fort Collins, CO 80521
  • Phone: (970) 498-7683
  • On-Call Planner Email: planning@larimer.org
  • Online pre-application portal: Community Development Portal
• STR Licensing and Renewals:
  • Email: PlanningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us
  • Phone: (970) 498-7683
• STR Complaints:
  • Online complaint form: STR complaint portal
  • Phone: (970) 236-7574
• Noise complaints:
  • Larimer County Sheriff’s non-emergency: (970) 416-1985
• Wildlife complaints (not covered by local Wildlife Protection Ordinance):
  • Estes Valley Planning Area: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Officer Chase Ryland – (970) 652-0591
  • Larimer County Unincorporated (outside Estes Valley): CPW Regional Office – (970) 472-4300
• Building Division (permits, inspections):
  • Online portal: onlineportal.larimer.org
• County fee schedules (planning, building, capital expansion): Development Review Fee Schedule; Transportation Capital Expansion Fees; Building Permit Fees

6) Source Links

City of Loveland:

• Sales Tax Regulations and Licensing: www.lovgov.org/business/view-sales-tax-regulations
• City of Loveland website: www.lovgov.org

Larimer County (Unincorporated STR Program and Regulations):

• Short-Term Rentals Regulation Update: www.larimer.gov/planning/short-term-rentals-regulation-updates
• Lodging Facilities in Residential Dwellings (STR Program): www.larimer.gov/short-term-rentals
• Administrative Special Review Process Guide (STR): www.larimer.org/sites/default/files/uploads/2023/short-term_rental_review_process_guide_-_administrative_special_review.pdf
• Short-Term Rental Submittal Requirements (Administrative Special Review): www.larimer.org/sites/default/files/uploads/2021/short_term_rentals_-_administrative_special_review_2.pdf
• Life Safety Survey Inspection Checklist: www.larimer.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2022/short_term_rental_life_safety_survey_0.pdf
• Life-Safety Inspection FAQ and Building Division Info: www.larimer.gov/building
• STR Ordinance (Second Amended): www.larimer.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2024/fully_executed_2nd_amended_str_ord.pdf
• Fee Schedules: Development Review Fee Schedule; Transportation Capital Expansion Fees; Building Permit Fees
• STR Complaint Form and Phone: secure.hostcompliance.com/larimer-county-co/complaints/type; (970) 236-7574
• Larimer County Sheriff (noise): (970) 416-1985
• CPW (wildlife):
  • Estes Valley: (970) 652-0591
  • Regional (Fort Collins): (970) 472-4300

Notes and caveats:

• City-specific STR details for Loveland were not provided in the source set; if your property is inside the City of Loveland, confirm zoning/land use and licensing directly with the City before applying.
• Fees, timelines, and cap policies may change; consult the current fee schedules and live County STR pages for updates.
• All advertising and operation must follow the appropriate jurisdictional licensing and approval requirements.