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Short-Term Rentals

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The City of Louisville lets homeowners rent out their homes during the Sundance Film Festival. This year's festival runs from January 11, 2027 to February 9, 2027. You can rent your home for up to 29 days during this time. 

You can only rent your home during these dates. Renting outside this window is not allowed. It could lead to fines or other action. The City Council picks new dates each year. This usually happens early in the year before. 

Most homes in Louisville can be used. This includes single-family homes, condos, apartments, townhomes, mobile homes, and ADUs. (An ADU is a small extra living space on a property.) 

You need a Temporary Short-Term Rental License before you rent or list your home. This step cannot be skipped. 

 

Get Ready

Before you apply, gather these items: 

 

  • Proof you own the home. If you're renting and want to sublet, you'll need written permission from the owner instead. See the owner/renter affidavits below 

  • Certificate of Insurance (COI): Please provide a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing the insurance coverage for the temporary short-term rental property. Only the Certificate of Insurance (COI) should be submitted. Copies or printouts of the full insurance policy will not be accepted.

    The COI must clearly show:

    • The insured’s name and the insured property address.
    • The insurance provider and policy number.
    • The policy effective and expiration dates.
    • A minimum coverage limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence.
    • Coverage in at least one of the following forms: property liability insurance, commercial liability insurance, or an endorsement to a homeowner’s policy specifically covering temporary short-term rental activities.

  • A local contact person. This person must be able to arrive within 60 minutes if there's a problem 

  • A finished application 

  • A signed Life Safety Affidavit. An affidavit is a signed form that says something is true. This one confirms your home meets city safety rules. This includes occupancy limits (how many people can stay), smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and noise rules 

 

Plan for fees: 

 

  • First-time application: $200 

  • Yearly renewal: $100 

  • You'll also pay sales and lodging tax (more on this below) 

 

Parking: There's no special parking rule for short-term rentals. Just ask your guests to be respectful of neighbors.

 

Step one: Pick your affidavit documents

Turn in one of these: 

 

 

Use the second option if someone else will run the rental for you. This could be a renter with owner permission, or a property manager. 

 

Step two: Fill out your application using the Self Service Portal

Fill in your property details, insurance info, and local contact person.

 

Step three: Submit early

Apply at least 30–45 days before you want to start hosting. This gives the city time to review it. It also gives you time to fix anything if needed. 

 

Step four: Pay your fee

Pay the $200 fee when you submit your application.

 

APPLY NOW

 

After you apply

 

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1921 SERIES 2026

RESOLUTION NO. 41 SERIES 2026

 

Pricing Guidelines

The City is partnering with Sundance and neighboring communities to support the festival and create opportunities for visitors to experience Louisville while supporting local businesses. The following pricing guidelines are recommendations intended to help homeowners who are interested in renting their homes during the festival understand current market expectations and make informed decisions when setting prices.

Boulder Area - Festival Home Rental Pricing Guidelines

Temporary Short Term Rentals FAQs

Can I rent my home on a short-term basis year-round? 

  • No, you can only rent your house from January 11, 2027 through February 9, 2027. Rentals outside of this window are not permitted and subject to enforcement. Dates for future years will be determined by City Council resolution each year. Anticipated to occur Q1 for the following year

Do I have to have a license? 

  • Yes. You must apply for a Temporary Short-Term Rental License at Louisvilleco.gov/STR. Your application must include: a completed application, a signed Life Safety Affidavit, and proof of insurance. Your license number must be displayed on all online listings and posted inside the property where guests can easily see it.  all marketing posts for the rental. The license should also be posted inside the property where guests can easily see it.  

Do I have to pay sales and lodging tax? 

  • Yes. When you receive your Temporary Short-Term Rental License, you will also receive your Sales Tax License. You must remit your taxes as per City policy.  In many cases, if you rent with a marketplace facilitator (ex. AirBnB or VRBO), they will remit your taxes for you at the end of each month. In this case, you will still need to submit a tax return showing what you owe, and that the facilitator paid on your behalf.  Stay tuned for trainings on how to submit your sales/lodging tax. These workshops and office hours are anticipated to occur Q4 2026. 

What if I rent my home? 

  • You may participate in the Temporary Short-Term rental program, with permission from the owner. Please see the owner/renter affidavits on Louisvilleco.gov/STR 

Is there a parking requirement? 

  • No, there are no additional parking requirements for temporary short-term rentals. We encourage owners and renters to be respectful to the neighborhood and neighbors.

How long does it take to get my short-term rental license approved?

Short-Term Rental (STR) license applications are reviewed within 14 days of submission. If additional information or revisions are needed, applicants will be asked to resubmit their materials, and a new 14-day review period will begin upon receipt of the updated documents.

To allow sufficient time for review and any potential revisions, applicants are encouraged to submit their STR license application at least 30–45 days before their intended hosting start date.

Report a problem with a short-term rental

Please submit any complaints through our Problem Reporter. The appropriate City team will address concerns as they arise. If it is an emergency or you are reporting criminal activity, contact the Louisville Police Department. 

Questions or need help with your application? Contact Economic Vitality at EconomicVitality@LouisvilleCO.gov.