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Woody Creek, CO

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STR Regulations for Woody Creek, Colorado

Overview and Market Feasibility

Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Woody Creek, Colorado—but only within unincorporated Pitkin County and only under Pitkin County’s licensing program. Woody Creek itself has no separate municipal STR licensing authority; the county is the sole regulator for STRs in this area. In practical terms, that means a property owner in Woody Creek can operate an STR if the property is outside the county’s prohibited zoning districts and the owner obtains and maintains a valid Pitkin County STR license.

Pitkin County’s program applies specifically to “residential properties or dwelling units” rented to the public for fewer than 30 days per stay, primarily for tourist accommodations. It does not apply to hotels, motels, lodges, resort cabins, guest ranches, country inns, or bed-and-breakfasts—those are governed separately under the Land Use Code.

Note: Zoning matters. STRs are prohibited in Pitkin County’s Rural and Remote (RR) zone, as well as in Transitional Residential zones TR‑1 and TR‑2. These restrictions are codified in county ordinance and land use code amendments adopted in 2024 and apply regardless of license eligibility. Investors must verify their parcel’s zoning before investing or applying for a license.

Bottom line for investors: Woody Creek can be a viable STR market if the property is in an eligible zoning district and the owner can meet licensing criteria, including the county’s 4-night minimum stay and 120-night annual cap, plus the fee and documentation obligations described below.

Source: pitkincounty.com/1431/Short-Term-Rentals
Source: pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/33684/STR-Combined

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Woody Creek?

Woody Creek hosts earn a median $51,071/year with $493 ADR and 50% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $84,397+ per year.

See the full Woody Creek market breakdown

How to Start an STR Business in Woody Creek

  1. Confirm eligibility and zoning
  • Confirm your property is in unincorporated Pitkin County and not in a prohibited zone: RR (Rural and Remote), TR‑1, or TR‑2. These are explicitly prohibited for STRs.
  1. Gather required documentation
  • Proof of property ownership and identity
  • STR history evidence for the property from May 11, 2017 to May 11, 2022
  • Good Neighbor Guide acknowledgement and distribution proof (Affidavit of Mailing)
  • Contact details (property address, phone, email) and operational details (number of bedrooms)
  1. Apply via the county’s licensing portal
  • Submit your application online: SagesGov – Pitkin County STR License Software
  • Apply at least 14 days before intended operations to allow processing
  1. Pay the license fee (tiered by nights per year)
  • Tier determined by your planned annual nights rented:
    • Otherwise Limited (20 nights or less): 0.05% of the assessor’s home market value
    • Limited Seasonal (21–60 nights): 0.06% of the assessor’s home market value
    • Seasonal (61–120 nights): 0.07% of the assessor’s home market value
  1. Operate compliantly
  • Minimum stay: 4 nights
  • Annual cap: 120 nights
  • Occupancy: maximum of (2 × number of bedrooms) + 2 guests
  • Do not operate in RR, TR‑1, or TR‑2
  • Maintain Good Neighbor policies and respond to county communications

Source: pitkincounty.com/1431/Short-Term-Rentals
Source: sagesgov.com/pitkincounty-co

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

License requirements and key documents (as administered by Pitkin County Community Development):

  • Valid STR license issued through SagesGov
  • Proof of ownership and applicant identity
  • STR history evidence for the property during May 11, 2017 to May 11, 2022
  • STR Affidavit of Mailing (evidence that Good Neighbor Guide information was provided to neighbors)
  • Good Neighbor Guide (operational standards and neighbor relations)
  • Contact information and property details (e.g., number of bedrooms for occupancy limits)

Related code references:

  • Title 6 (Health & Safety) – Short-Term Rental Code
  • Land Use Code – zoning and STR-related provisions
  • Building Code – physical standards and safety

Fee schedule: The Community Development Fee Schedule and the STR tiered fee structure (0.05%, 0.06%, or 0.07% of assessed market value) govern licensing costs.

Source: pitkincounty.com/1431/Short-Term-Rentals
Source: pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/29647/title-06-health-and-safety
Source: pitkincounty.com/468/County-Code
Source: pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/29891/Title-11-Buildings-and-Construction
Source: pitkincounty.com/1628/Community-Development-Fee-Schedule

Specific Regulations for STRs in Woody Creek (County Level)

Pitkin County’s STR rules for unincorporated areas—applicable to Woody Creek—include the following core standards:

  • License requirement: All STRs in unincorporated Pitkin County must have a valid county license.
  • Minimum stay: 4 nights per stay.
  • Annual cap: Up to 120 nights per year.
  • Occupancy: Maximum of (2 × bedrooms) + 2 guests.
  • Eligibility and history: License eligibility requires STR use history for the property between May 11, 2017 and May 11, 2022.
  • Zoning-based prohibitions: STRs are explicitly prohibited in the RR (Rural and Remote), TR‑1 (Transitional Residential‑1), and TR‑2 (Transitional Residential‑2) zone districts. These prohibitions apply irrespective of otherwise meeting license criteria.
  • Licensing scope: Applies only to residential properties or dwelling units rented for fewer than 30 days per stay; excludes hotels, motels, lodges, resort cabins, guest ranches, country inns, and bed-and-breakfast establishments.
  • Fees: Tiered structure based on annual nights rented and property value (see above).
  • Application processing: Apply at least 14 days in advance via the online portal to allow adequate processing time.

Illustrative context: County discussions have considered whether to modify certain provisions (e.g., eliminating the 2017–2022 history requirement or refining fees for owner-occupied properties), but those proposed changes are not reflected in adopted county regulations as of the latest ordinance posted.

Source: pitkincounty.com/1431/Short-Term-Rentals
Source: pitkincounty.com/DocumentCenter/View/33684/STR-Combined

City and State-Level Notes

  • Woody Creek is an unincorporated community within Pitkin County. There is no separate city STR licensing authority in Woody Creek. Pitkin County is the sole STR regulator for properties in Woody Creek.
  • Colorado state law does not impose a uniform statewide STR licensing scheme. Municipalities and counties in Colorado may adopt their own STR rules, as Pitkin County has done. There is no statewide prohibition on STRs, but local governments can and do regulate them (licensing, zoning, occupancy, caps, fees). Investors should rely on Pitkin County’s local code and licensing program for compliance in Woody Creek.

Source: pitkincounty.com/1431/Short-Term-Rentals

Enforcement, Compliance, and Neighboring Jurisdiction Notes

Pitkin County enforces STR licensing through its Community Development Department. Licensing is mandatory; properties operating without a license or in violation of the terms are subject to enforcement action.

Good Neighbor expectations are emphasized through county guidance and required neighbor notifications. Compliance with occupancy limits, night caps, and zoning restrictions is closely monitored.

Aspen, Snowmass Village, and Basalt—neighboring municipalities—have their own STR rules. Their jurisdictions and regulations do not apply to Woody Creek (unincorporated Pitkin County). If you hold or are considering property within those cities, consult their municipal licensing programs separately.

Source: pitkincounty.com/1431/Short-Term-Rentals

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

  • Short-Term Rental Program, Pitkin County Community Development
    • Phone (STR Line): 970-429-1858
    • Email: STR@pitkincounty.com
    • Office Location: 530 E Main St., Suite 205, Aspen, CO 81611
    • General County Administration: 970-920-5200
    • STR License Portal (application): SagesGov – Pitkin County STR License Software
    • Department Directory: Pitkin County Department Directory

Source: pitkincounty.com/1431/Short-Term-Rentals
Source: sagesgov.com/pitkincounty-co

Links to Source Pages (for Investor Verification)

Investor notes

  • Eligibility hinges on both licensing criteria and zoning. If your property is in RR, TR‑1, or TR‑2, it is not eligible for STR licensing in Pitkin County.
  • The “history of STR use” requirement (May 11, 2017 to May 11, 2022) is part of the current eligibility standard and strictly enforced; if your property lacks qualifying prior STR activity within that window, it may not be eligible until the county amends this criterion.
  • Fees are based on the property’s assessed market value multiplied by the tiered percentage associated with your planned annual rental nights. Budget accordingly.

This guide reflects the regulations and processes publicly posted by Pitkin County as of the provided materials. Because rulemaking evolves, investors should verify current requirements directly with Pitkin County’s STR program before acquisition or operation.

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Woody Creek

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
7/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Woody Creek Market Analysis

Photos of Woody Creek

Overview of Woody Creek

Woody Creek is a small unincorporated community tucked into the upper Roaring Fork Valley in Pitkin County, Colorado. With a population of only a few hundred residents, it has the feel of a quiet mountain hamlet rather than a town in any conventional sense, surrounded by aspen groves, sage hillsides, and the braided channels of the Roaring Fork River. The community is best known as the longtime home of writer Hunter S. Thompson and as a low-key stop on the road between Aspen and the downvalley towns. It sits roughly eight to ten miles northwest of Aspen, the nearest major resort city, just across the busy little junction where the highway splits toward Snowmass.

Just upvalley from Woody Creek, Aspen anchors the region with its blend of high-end culture, dining, and four mountains of skiing. Visitors can explore the historic core of the town, ride the Silver Queen Gondola to the summit of Aspen Mountain in the summer, or simply stroll among the galleries, restaurants, and Victorian-era facades of the downtown commercial district. The drive from Woody Creek to the heart of Aspen takes only about fifteen minutes, making it an easy base for guests who want a quieter setting but quick access to everything the resort offers.

A short drive in the opposite direction leads to Snowmass Village, a purpose-built resort community that hosts some of the most extensive family-friendly terrain in North America. In winter, the Snowmass ski area sprawls across a broad hillside with more than 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, and in summer the same slopes and trails become a network of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding routes. Snowmass is also home to the Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Center, where visitors can learn about the mastodon and other Ice Age remains unearthed at the nearby Snowmass excavation site. The drive from Woody Creek to Snowmass Village typically takes about twenty minutes.

Further into the wilderness, the Maroon Bells are perhaps the most photographed peaks in Colorado, two striking fourteeners rising above an alpine lake about ten miles southwest of Aspen. The Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness, part of the larger White River National Forest, offers hiking trails of every length and difficulty and a scenic loop road that runs from late spring through fall. From Woody Creek, the drive to the Maroon Bells trailhead takes roughly forty-five minutes, passing through Aspen and up the Castle Creek valley.

For short-term rental owners, Woody Creek offers a rare combination of seclusion and proximity. Guests can stay in a setting that feels genuinely rural, with open sky and river access right outside, while remaining only minutes from the dining, skiing, music festivals, and trailheads that draw visitors to the Aspen area year after year. That balance of quiet authenticity and quick access to marquee attractions makes the community an unusually appealing base for travelers who want the best of both the Roaring Fork Valley and the surrounding high country.

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