Frequently Asked Questions

A lodge is defined as a "building or parcel containing at least fifteen (15) individual units used for overnight lodging by the general public on a short-term basis for a fee, with or without kitchens within individual units, with or without meals provided and which has common reservation and cleaning services, combined utilities and on-site management and reception services." Lodge properties must also offer three or more specific amenities as defined by Aspen's land use code; please reference Section 26.104.110: "Lodge Uses" for more details.

Please note that STR Lodging-Exempt (LE) permits are not available to individual units at lodge properties. Owners wishing to operate outside of a lodge's LE permit must obtain a Classic or Owner-Occupied permit.  

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If a property is located in the L Zone, it does not necessarily mean the property is eligible for an STR-LE Permit. A property must meet the definition of “Lodge” in Section 26.104.110 to be eligible for a Lodging Exempt Permit. Individual owners of units at lodge or condo-hotel properties are not eligible for the Lodging Exempt Permit and must apply for a Classic or Owner-Occupied Permit. 

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Use the Permit Selection Flowchart  to determine which STR permit(s) you may be eligible to apply for. 

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If you believe an STR is in violation of  Chapter 26.530 of the City of Aspen Municipal Code, you can file a complaint through Aspen 311 Connect.

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Yes, all Qualified Owner’s Representatives are required to have a current, valid business license from the City of Aspen Finance Department. 

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If your QOR is a new MUNIRevs user, they will need to complete a new user registration using your 6-digit Account Number and Activation Code from the “Manage Your Account” section of your MUNIRevs Business Center.  If your new Qualified Owner’s Representative (QOR) is an existing MUNIRevs account user, you can also contact the City of Aspen STR staff to have them added to your account. 

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New permits in capped zones with waitlists are issued as permits become available through permit abandonment. Waitlist times vary by zone district and are influenced by numerous factors including property sales, rental activity and sales tax remittance, and timely renewal application submission for permitted properties. Waitlist time predictions can be estimated by City staff upon request; however, they are based on limited program data and consideration must be given to unpredictability of participant behavior. Online waitlists are updated quarterly and are available on the STR Waitlists page. You can also contact City staff for the most up-to-date waitlist information. 

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Permittees who do not live within the Roaring Fork Valley or Colorado River Drainage from No Name to Rifle are required to name a Qualified Owner’s Representative (QOR) on permit applications. Permittees who live within the Roaring Fork Valley or Colorado River Drainage but are unable or unwilling to be available for in-person emergency response must also name a QOR for their STR unit.

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Brokers with a licensed real estate company may use the real estate company’s business license.

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STR permits require that a permittee has at least 10% ownership of the property. If the property owner is willing to be named as the permittee, then the lessee could act as the Qualified Owner’s Representative (QOR) if they can fulfill the requirements of the Qualified Owner’s Representative as outlined in Chapter 26.530 and the STR Program Guidelines.

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The wildlife protection policy is printed on the STR permit document that the permittee will receive once the permit is issued.

STR operators are required to display the STR permit, in-unit messaging, STR business license, and Good Neighbor Guide in an obvious location in the STR unit. Acceptable locations include inside an informational binder, on the coffee table, displayed in frames, or other places where the renters can easily access the information.

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The permit number should be included in all third-party advertisements such as on VRBO, Airbnb, or similar. The permit number can be included in the advertisement title, description of the property, or in the part of the posting specifically designated by the third-party company.

Permittees named on STR permits will need an STR-specific business license. Qualified Owner’s Representatives (QORs) will need either an STR-specific business license, or, if applicable, they may use the business license associated with their real estate or property management firm (these are most often “real estate” business licenses).  

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Public notices are required as a part of the application process for all new Classic and Owner-Occupied STR permits. Before a new permit is issued, permittees must post a notice at their property for 15 days and mail a notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the property for which they are seeking the new STR permit. The purpose of the public notice is to make neighbors aware of the new STR use for which the applicant is seeking a permit. If desired, neighbors can provide public comment about the application using the contact information provided in the notice. 

Explore the STR Map to determine which zone district your property is located in.

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Explore the STR Eligibility Map to determine whether STRs are permitted in your zone district.

If your residence is located within Aspen city limits, you will only need an STR permit through City of Aspen. If your residence is located outside of Aspen city limits, you’ll only need a Pitkin County STR Permit. Find out whether your residence is in or out of Aspen.

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All permit applications require the full name of one person with an ownership interest in the property. If the title to the STR property is held by a corporation, partnership, association, trust, or similar entity, the name and contact information of any officer, director, or stockholder holding at least 10% of interests in the entity is required as the “Permittee” on the application. 

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Permittee contact information may not be changed after a permit is issued as permits are non-transferable. Changes to permittee information will result in the termination and revocation of a permit and the new permittee will be required to apply for a new permit. 

After a new STR-Classic or STR-Owner-Occupied permit application is reviewed, the applicant moves on to a Public Notice before the permit is issued.  The purpose of this step is to inform neighbors of the applicant’s intent to operate their property as a short-term rental.  Applicants must post a notice at the property for a minimum of 15 days, as well as send a written notice to neighboring property owners within 300 feet of the STR property.  Reference the STR Program Guidelines for a detailed description of the Public Notice process and requirements for new Classic and Owner-Occupied STR permits. 

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Each STR permit application lists the required supplemental documents necessary to submit with the application type. Required documents are also listed for each permit type in the STR Program Guidelines.  

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Rentals of 30 days or more are considered “long-term rentals” and do not require an STR permit from the City of Aspen. Long-term rentals require a business license from the Finance Department. Please contact aspensalestax@aspen.gov for more information about long-term rental requirements.

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The STR GIS map shows properties with current, approved STR permits.  To find out if a property has a permit, simply type in the property address and search.  You may alternatively email strs@aspen.gov to inquire whether a property has a current STR permit.

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Permits may not be transferred between addresses

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