Short-Term Rental Laws in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat Springs implemented a moratorium on new STR permits in 2021–2022 and replaced it in 2023 with a permanent 3-zone overlay system: Resort & Commercial (broad permission, no cap), Restricted (residential neighborhoods; primary-residence STRs allowed, non-owner-occupied prohibited or grandfathered), and Transitional (intermediate restrictions, cap-based licensing). In 2022 voters approved a 9% STR excise tax dedicated to workforce housing — among the highest STR-specific local taxes in the state.

The 3-zone overlay system is the binding map: Resort & Commercial Overlay covers the Mountain Resort base, downtown core, and commercial corridors — STRs allowed by right. Restricted Residential Overlay covers single-family neighborhoods — only owner-occupied STRs permitted (the operator must reside in the unit as primary residence). Transitional Overlay covers in-between mixed neighborhoods — limited non-owner-occupied STRs allowed with a cap. Verify your parcel's overlay via the Steamboat Springs Planning Department before any offer.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

Steamboat Springs Finance + Planning jointly enforce. The 9% STR excise tax is collected monthly via the city's MUNIRevs portal — non-registration or non-remittance triggers fines + license revocation. Annual permit renewal includes overlay-zone re-verification (the overlays can be updated at the city's discretion). Routt County (unincorporated areas) operates a parallel licensing system; properties in Stagecoach, Strawberry Park, and other unincorporated subdivisions need the county license instead of (or in addition to) the city one.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Steamboat Springs is approximately 17.400% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Colorado State sales 2.9% + Routt County 1% + Steamboat Springs sales 4.5% + lodging tax 0.5% + STR excise tax 9% — combined ~17.4% on STR receipts

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.