Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Meeker, CO?

Yes—short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in the Town of Meeker, but only as a conditional use. The zoning code defines a “Short-term rental” as “rental of all or a portion of a residential dwelling unit for periods of less than thirty (30) days,” and it is listed as a conditional use in several residential and mixed-use zoning districts:

• Rural Residential (RR)
• Single-Family Residential (SFR)
• Mixed Residential (MR)
• Mobile Home Park (MHP)
• Town Core (TC)
• Highway Corridor (HC)

In all of these districts, a short-term vacation rental requires a conditional use permit and must comply with the supplemental regulations in Subsection 18.1.16(9) (referenced in the zoning code). Hotels, motels, lodges, and bed-and-breakfasts are treated separately and are not considered “short-term rentals” under this definition.

Bottom line for investors: you may operate a short-term rental in the Town of Meeker by right only if your property is in one of the zones listed above and you obtain a conditional use permit (CUP) and any other applicable approvals (e.g., business license, building permits, and compliance with parking/life safety standards). Without the CUP, STRs are not permissible.

Source: Meeker Zoning Regulations—Definitions (18.1.2) and conditional use tables for RR, SFR, MR, MHP, TC, and HC (18.1.5–18.1.10).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Meeker

1. Verify zoning eligibility

   • Confirm your property’s zoning district. STRs are conditional uses in RR, SFR, MR, MHP, TC, and HC districts. If your parcel is in a purely industrial or community facilities zone, short-term rentals are not listed as a permitted or conditional use.
   • Check your specific subarea against the Meeker Zoning Map (referenced in 18.1.3).

2. Secure the conditional use permit

   • Submit a Conditional Building Type application (and any required site plan) to the Town. The zoning code ties STR approvals to “Conditional Building Type” permits in each applicable district.
   • Provide a site plan including setbacks, lot coverage, parking, access, landscaping, utility locations, trash/recycling storage, and building elevations as applicable (standards in 18.1.34 for conditional uses in TC; similar information is typically expected across zones).
   • The public hearing and decision process is governed by the Town’s general procedures (18.1.17).

3. Obtain the business license and any required building permits

   • Apply for a Town business license. Bed-and-breakfasts, if applicable, are a separate category with owner-residency requirements and a maximum stay of 30 days.
   • If you plan interior modifications, ensure compliance with the Town’s building and fire codes; life-safety compliance (e.g., smoke detectors, egress, postings, and, where applicable, sprinklers) is essential.
   • Confirm ADA considerations for guests and staff.

4. Meet parking and off-street requirements

   • Provide required off-street parking per use. For residential uses, the baseline requirement is 2 spaces per dwelling unit. Other nonresidential uses have specific ratios (see 18.1.13 and Table 18.3).
   • If the STR functions similarly to lodging, hotels/motels require 1 space per guest room; bed-and-breakfasts are treated as residential unless licensed as a commercial lodging.

5. Align operations and compliance

   • Design all exterior lighting, signage, trash/recycling enclosures, outdoor storage, and utility screening to meet zoning performance standards (e.g., 18.1.34 in TC and general performance standards in other districts).
   • Ensure signage requires a permit in TC, HC, and most districts (see 18.1.15 and Table 18.4).
   • If in TC, comply with Town Core design/performance standards, which require compatibility with historic character and prohibit certain drive-throughs and heavy industrial uses.

6. Ongoing monitoring and renewals

   • Maintain compliance with CUP conditions and Town ordinances (18.1.22 addresses enforcement and administration).
   • Monitor any changes to supplemental regulations for short-term rentals (18.1.16(9)) and building code updates.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Conditional Building Type Permit (short-term vacation rental)
• Conditional Use application materials:
  • Site plan showing setbacks, lot coverage, parking, vehicle/pedestrian access, landscaping, utility locations, trash enclosure and screening, topographic features
  • Building elevations/design details (finishes, doors/windows, lighting fixtures)
  • Written narrative of the STR operation and how you will meet Town standards
• Town Business License
• Building and life-safety permits (as applicable)
• Fire safety compliance review (where required by Town building/fire codes)
• Parking plan per 18.1.13 (residential: 2 spaces per unit; hotels/motels: 1 per guest room; other nonresidential uses per Table 18.3)
• Sign permit (if signage is planned)
• Stormwater/drainage plan for larger/multi-family developments (as applicable)
• Proof of insurance and any bonds or liability coverage the Town may require
• Licensing and tax IDs:
  • Colorado sales tax license and local lodging tax remittance are typically required for short-term accommodations statewide (verify with the Town and Colorado Department of Revenue)

Guidance:

• Supplemental regulations specific to “Short-term vacation rental” are referenced as 18.1.16(9). Review the most current adopted supplemental regulations, which may include occupancy limits, signage standards, life safety requirements, or operational conditions.
• The Town’s “General Procedures” (18.1.17) and “Conditional Uses” (18.1.18) sections outline application processes, noticing, hearings, and approvals.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals: City, County, and State

City of Meeker (Town Code—Zoning Regulations):

• Allowed uses: Short-term vacation rental is a conditional use in RR, SFR, MR, MHP, TC, and HC districts; not listed in Industrial (I) or Community Facilities (CF).
• Definition: Rental of all or a portion of a residential dwelling for fewer than 30 days; excludes hotels, motels, lodges, and bed-and-breakfasts.
• Bed-and-breakfast: A single-family detached dwelling where the owner provides sleeping accommodation and meals for a period of no more than 30 days; the owner must reside on the premises.
• Parking: Residential baseline is 2 spaces per dwelling unit; hotels/motels: 1 space per guest room; other uses have ratios per Table 18.3.
• Design/performance standards: TC district requires site-plan detail, building design compatibility with historic character, and prohibits drive-throughs, heavy manufacturing, above-ground hazardous fuel storage, certain vehicle services, and boarding/rooming houses.
• Signage: Allowed types vary by district (18.1.15 and Table 18.4). TC requires permits for most signage types.
• Dimensional requirements: Each district has specific setbacks, lot coverage, height, and minimum lot sizes. For example:
  • SFR: front setback 25 ft; side 10 ft (12.5 ft if abutting a street); rear 20 ft; lot coverage 50%; minimum lot 7,500 sq. ft.
  • MR: front setback 15 ft; side 5 ft (7.5 ft abutting a street); rear 10 ft; lot coverage 60%; minimum lot area varies by building type.
  • TC (residential): front 15 ft; side 5 ft; rear 5 ft; lot coverage 60%; minimum lot area 3,750 sq. ft.
• Enforcement and administration: 18.1.22 addresses compliance, violations, and remedies.

Rio Blanco County (outside Town limits):

• County zoning and building regulations apply; short-term rentals are typically governed at the local level. If you are in the unincorporated county, verify with Rio Blanco County Planning and Building Department whether STRs are permitted or require special approvals. The zoning document provided is town-specific; county rules may differ.

State of Colorado:

• State law authorizes municipalities and counties to adopt and enforce regulations for short-term rentals (including occupancy, safety, parking, and nuisance standards).
• Operators generally must obtain a Colorado sales tax license and remit state and local lodging taxes; contact the Colorado Department of Revenue and the Town for current tax obligations.
• Building and fire safety codes (as adopted by the Town and/or county) apply to STRs. Confirm whether any statewide STR-specific safety or licensing requirements apply.

Contact Information (Town of Meeker—planning, permitting, and administration)

Note: Use the Town’s official website and phone directory for the most current staff contacts. If a listed staff role changes, request the current contact.

• Town Hall / Administration: 345 Market St., Meeker, CO 81641; Phone: 970-878-5340
• Planning and Zoning Department: Phone: 970-878-5340 (ask for Planning/Zoning)
• Building Department: Phone: 970-878-5340 (ask for Building Official)
• Business Licensing: Phone: 970-878-5340 (ask for Licensing/Clerk)
• Town Website (for applications and ordinances): townofmeeker.org

For properties outside Town limits:

• Rio Blanco County Planning and Building Department: Phone: 970-878-9590 (verify with the county for current STR rules)

Source Links

• Meeker Zoning Regulations—Version 4 (April 19, 2023): www.townofmeeker.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Meeker-LUC_Version-4.pdf

Practical notes for investors:

• Property selection: Favor parcels zoned SFR, MR, TC, or HC within Town boundaries to keep the CUP pathway straightforward.
• CUP success: Strong site plans and life-safety compliance reduce hearing risks. Align trash, parking, lighting, and signage with district standards.
• Bed-and-breakfast vs. STR: A B&B is a separate use requiring owner residence on-site and is capped at ≤30 days. If you plan to operate without residing on-site, pursue the STR CUP pathway rather than a B&B license.
• Taxes and licensing: Obtain the state sales tax license and confirm lodging tax remittance requirements. The Town may have local tax procedures.
• Stay current: Monitor updates to 18.1.16(9) supplemental regulations and any future ordinance changes affecting STRs in Meeker.

If you need the specific supplemental regulations for short-term rentals (18.1.16(9)) or the conditional use hearing procedures in more detail, consult the Town Clerk or Planning Department using the contacts above and reference the zoning code PDF.