Monument, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Monument, Colorado. However, the regulatory landscape is relatively light compared to many other jurisdictions. Neither the Town of Monument nor El Paso County (where Monument is located) has enacted comprehensive short-term rental ordinances with strict permitting requirements or occupancy limits.

The town operates under a business-friendly approach where short-term rentals are treated as standard business activities requiring basic business licensing, while El Paso County explicitly states they have no codified short-term rental ordinance and no specific regulations for the principal structure used as a short-term rental.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Monument?

Monument hosts earn a median $40,263/year with $271 ADR and 58% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $62,846+ per year.

See the full Monument market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Monument, CO

Starting a short-term rental business in Monument follows a straightforward process:

Step 1: Business License Registration

All short-term rental operators must obtain a business license from the Town of Monument
This requirement applies to all businesses operating within town limits, including contractors and out-of-town operators
Business licenses are obtained through the Town Clerk
This must be completed before any permit applications can be submitted

Step 2: Compliance Verification

Confirm your property zoning allows for short-term rental use
Review any applicable HOA or condo association restrictions
Ensure compliance with El Paso County Land Development Code and County Ordinances

Step 3: Registration Process

Apply through the Town's Community Connect portal
The review process typically takes 3-5 business days from acceptance
Incomplete applications will be returned, potentially delaying your start date

Step 4: Ongoing Compliance

Collect and remit Colorado state sales tax on short-term rental income
Maintain compliance with Good Neighbor Guidelines
Monitor any changes in local regulations

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Town of Monument Requirements:

Business License - Required for all STR operators
- Obtained through Town Clerk
- Must be active before permit applications
- Applies to businesses, contractors, out-of-town contractors, subcontractors, and mobile vendors
Building Permits - If structural modifications are planned
- Commercial and Residential Alteration permits
- Commercial & Residential New Build permits
- Demolition permits if applicable

El Paso County Requirements:

No STR-specific permits required for principal structures
Zoning approval needed if using accessory structures as STRs
Compliance with Land Development Code and County Ordinances

State of Colorado Requirements:

Sales Tax Registration and Remittance
- Short-term rentals are subject to Colorado state sales tax
- Must be collected and remitted by the host

Recommended Guidelines:

El Paso County Good Neighbor Guidelines (non-enforceable but recommended)
- Be respectful to neighbors and their property
- Minimize music and noise
- Drive slowly through neighborhoods
- Keep property clean and free of trash
- Wildlife safety precautions
- Limit parking to driveway
- No disruptive gatherings
- Provide neighbors with local contact
- Check for fire restrictions

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Town of Monument:

Business License Requirement: All STR operators must obtain and maintain an active business license
General Business Compliance: Must comply with all applicable town business regulations
Construction Hours: If making improvements, construction must adhere to specified hours:
- Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- No work permitted on Sundays and National Holidays
Use Tax: Construction materials are subject to use tax for permitted work

El Paso County:

No Codified STR Ordinance: County has no specific short-term rental regulations for principal structures
Accessory Structure Rules: Zoning approval required if using accessory structures as STRs
Land Development Code Compliance: Must comply with general zoning and development requirements
Event Restrictions: Cannot advertise property for events like weddings or business retreats (violates Business Event Center definition)
Noise and Parking Enforcement: Contact El Paso County Sheriff's Office (719-390-5555) for noise or parking concerns

State of Colorado:

Sales Tax Collection: Required on all short-term rental income
Business Registration: May need state-level business registration depending on entity structure

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Town of Monument - Primary Contact:

Address: 645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument, CO 80132
Phone: 719-481-2954
Fax: 719-884-8046
Police Phone: 719-481-3253
Email: planning@tomgov.org
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday
Website: www.townofmonument.org/433/Permits

Business License Contact: Town Clerk through main phone number

El Paso County - Planning and Development:

Planner of the Day: dsd-pod@elpasoco.com
Phone: 719-520-6944
Website: planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/short-term-rentals/

Code Enforcement: For reporting violations
Website: epcdevplanreview.com/Applications/Create_Complaint/

Sheriff's Office (Noise/Parking Concerns):
Phone: 719-390-5555

Platform Reporting:

Airbnb:

Online reporting: www.airbnb.com/help/article/3290
Phone: (855)-635-7754

VRBO:

Online reporting: www.stayneighborly.com/formpage

Links to Source Pages

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of short-term rental regulations in Monument, Colorado. The regulatory environment is relatively permissive, with the primary requirements being business licensing at the town level and compliance with basic good neighbor standards. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before commencing operations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Monument

Monument is a small town in El Paso County, Colorado, set at the northern edge of the Front Range where the high plains meet the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains. With a population of roughly 8,000, the town has a quiet, small-town character rooted in its late-1800s railroad and ranching heritage, and today functions largely as a residential community with easy access to both Denver and Colorado Springs. It serves as a popular gateway to outdoor recreation in the Rampart Range and the Tri-Lakes region, sitting roughly 50 miles south of Denver and about 20 miles north of downtown Colorado Springs.

Monument Rock is the town's most recognizable natural landmark, a balancing granite outcrop that has become a visual symbol of the community. The formation sits within a few miles of the historic downtown area and is visible from several vantage points around town, drawing photographers and casual visitors who stop to admire it while passing through the area.

Just south of Monument lies Palmer Lake, a small reservoir and surrounding town that offers fishing, a paved walking loop around the water, and a quieter alternative to busier Front Range destinations. The lake is roughly a ten-minute drive from central Monument and is paired with a small downtown of locally owned shops and restaurants that give the area a relaxed, weekend-getaway feel.

To the south and west, the Rampart Range and the surrounding Pike National Forest offer extensive hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that begin almost at the edge of town. Trailheads in the Mount Herman area and along the network of forest roads can be reached in roughly 15 to 20 minutes, providing a convenient escape into pine and aspen forests without the longer drives required from larger Front Range cities.

The broader Pikes Peak region adds to the appeal, with the United States Air Force Academy campus about 20 minutes south and Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs reachable in roughly 30 to 40 minutes. The Pikes Peak highway and summit complex are also within about an hour's drive, giving visitors a full day of iconic Colorado scenery without venturing far from the immediate region.

Monument is a compelling base for short-term rentals thanks to its small-town atmosphere, immediate access to Rampart Range trailheads, and central position between Denver and Colorado Springs. Visitors who want mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, and quick trips to the broader Pikes Peak region often find that Monument offers a quieter, more residential alternative to staying in Colorado Springs itself, while still keeping the Front Range's marquee attractions well within reach.