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

EXPLICIT ANSWER: YES, short-term rentals are allowed in Snowmass Village, CO, with specific regulations and permitting requirements.

The Town of Snowmass Village permits short-term rentals and has established a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure responsible operation. Short-term rentals are defined as dwellings rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The town requires all STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and permits before operating, with regulations effective since May 1, 2023.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Snowmass Village

Step-by-Step Process

1. Determine Your Permit Type Snowmass Village categorizes STRs into four distinct permit types based on property characteristics and management structure.

2. Access the Permitting Portal Submit applications through the official MUNIRevs Short-term Rental Permits Portal.

3. Complete Application Process

   • Submit permit request form for your chosen permit type
   • Await approval from the Town's compliance manager
   • Complete permit and business license applications when notified via email or portal task
   • Undergo review process with compliance manager

4. Payment and Approval

   • Pay applicable fees once approved
   • Finance Department verifies payment
   • Print final permit upon approval

5. Ongoing Compliance

   • Include permit number in all advertising listings
   • Display permit copy prominently in property (for Types 3 & 4)
   • File monthly tax returns and payments
   • Maintain 24/7 availability of designated local representative

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Permits and Licenses

Business License: $85.00 per applicable entity (hotel, parent company, owner/property manager, or home) STR Permit: $300 per applicable unit or property

Mandatory Documentation by Permit Type

Permit Type 1: Hotels

• Physical address of hotel
• Owner information (name, mailing address, phone, email)
• Designated Hotel Representative details (available 24/7/365)
• List of advertising locations
• Number of beds in unit
• Number of units used as long-term rentals
• Monthly sales and lodging tax filings

Permit Type 2: Multi-family A

• Physical address of complex
• Owner and property management company details
• Designated Local Owner Representative information
• Advertising locations with permit number inclusion
• Property management program participation status
• Number of bedrooms, beds, parking spaces
• Units used for long-term rentals
• Monthly tax filings per complex

Permit Type 3: Multi-family B

• Unit-specific information (identifier, physical address)
• Owner and property management details
• STR listing history duration
• Advertising locations with permit numbers
• Property specifications (bedrooms, beds, parking)
• HOA information
• Intended rental days per year
• Monthly individual unit tax filings

Permit Type 4: Single-family Homes & Duplexes

• Physical address with ZIP code (81615)
• Complete owner and property management information
• STR listing duration
• All advertising locations with permit numbers
• Property characteristics and parking details
• HOA compliance verification
• Annual rental planning
• Monthly individual property tax filings

Required Certifications and Agreements

1. STR Self-compliance Affidavit - Must be signed and uploaded
2. STR Good Neighbor Guidelines - Must be included in rental agreements and displayed prominently
3. HOA Compliance Verification - If applicable

Specific Regulations for Snowmass Village STRs

Occupancy Limits

Units with 4+ bedrooms: Maximum 2 people per legal bedroom + 4 additional people Units with 3 or fewer bedrooms: Maximum 2 people per legal bedroom + 2 additional people Note: Children 5 and under are not counted in bedroom limits

Stay Requirements

Single-family homes and duplexes: Minimum 4-night stay requirement

Designated Representative Requirements

All permit types (except Type 1 hotels) require a Designated Local Owner Representative available 24/7/365, able to respond to calls within 60 minutes.

Advertising Requirements

Once assigned a permit number, it must appear in ALL advertising listings across all platforms.

Tax Obligations

Total Tax Rate: 12.8%

• State tax: 2.9%
• Pitkin County tax: 3.6%
• Roaring Fork Transportation Authority tax: 0.4%
• Town of Snowmass Village sales tax: 3.5%
• Town of Snowmass Village Lodging tax: 2.4%

Filing Requirements:

• Monthly filing required by the 20th of the following month
• Zero-tax forms required for months with no rental activity
• Airbnb and VRBO no longer remit sales tax on behalf of operators

Inspection Rights

Town may inspect properties with 24-hour notice, except in life safety emergencies.

Violation Penalties and Enforcement

Major Violations

• Operating without STR permit
• 2nd conviction for noise/wildlife violations within 2 years
• Life safety violations (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers)
• Providing false information
• Failure to remit taxes

Penalties:

• 1st major violation: Loss of STR permit and/or business license up to 2 years
• 2nd major violation: Loss of STR permit and/or business license up to 5 years

Minor Violations

• Occupancy limit violations
• Parking violations
• Failure to list permit number in advertising
• Recurrent delinquent tax filing
• Administrative issues

Penalties:

• 1st minor violation: Up to $1,000 fine
• 2nd minor violation: Up to $1,500 fine
• 3rd minor violation: Major violation status with permit/license loss up to 2 years

Appeal Process

Grievances, hardships, or appeals may be presented to the Town Manager or designee for consideration.

Current Market Context

As of September 2025, Snowmass Village has 126 active STR permits for single-family homes and duplexes, representing approximately 12% of the town's roughly 1,000 single-family homes. Total STR permits across all property types number 1,698, constituting 42.25% of Snowmass' total residential units.

The town is considering additional fees and restrictions for single-family STRs to encourage conversion to long-term rentals, with potential annual fees ranging from $100-$750 based on studies of employee housing impacts.

Contact Information

Primary STR Contact

Sara Nester
Community Development Code Compliance Manager
Email: snester@tosv.com
Phone: 970-923-5524 Ext. 630

Tax-Related Inquiries

Emily Flood
Sales Tax Analyst
Email: eflood@tosv.com
Phone: 970-923-3796

General Town Contact

Town of Snowmass Village
130 Kearns Road, P.O. Box 5010
Snowmass Village, CO 81615
Phone: 970-923-3777
Fax: 970-923-6083

Online Resources

• STR Regulations Portal: https://snowmassvillage.munirevs.com/
• Town Website STR Page: https://www.tosv.com/531/Short-term-Rentals

Source References

1. Town of Snowmass Village Short-term Rentals - Primary regulatory source
2. STR Permit Types, Requirements, Fees & Violations PDF - Detailed permit requirements
3. Snowmass Village STR Summary - Reference guide
4. Aspen Times STR Policy Article - Current policy discussions
5. Rent Responsibly Snowmass Village - Industry resource

This guide provides comprehensive information for STR investment decisions in Snowmass Village, ensuring full regulatory compliance while maximizing investment potential in this established mountain resort market.