shinnslist · guides · Short-term rental rules in the Town of Vail, Colorado
Short-term rental rules in the Town of Vail, Colorado
Bottom line: Every short-term rental inside the Town of Vail needs a town STR license. Vail offers three types: individual owner, professional property manager, and on-site 24/7 front desk. Owner and manager licenses need a local representative within 60 minutes, $1,000,000 in liability insurance, a passed fire inspection and a $260 fee. Current licenses expire February 28, 2027.
Free beta checked October 18, 2026 · next check by January 18, 2027 · not legal advice
Guide
Do these rules apply to you?
Not legal advice. Rules change; check the official source. Read on 2026-10-18.
These rules cover property inside the Town of Vail boundary. The town defines a short-term rental as a residential dwelling unit, or any room in it, leased for less than 30 consecutive days, not counting bed and breakfasts and accommodation units. Source: the town's Short-Term Rentals page.
Guide
Which license do I need?
- Individual property owner: you run the rental yourself and name a local representative.
- Professional property manager: a manager advertises and runs it. The manager also needs a Town of Vail business license, wherever its office is.
- On-site 24/7 front desk: the unit is in a property with a front desk staffed around the clock.
Guide
What does the application need?
For owner and manager licenses, documents are uploaded in order:
- A copy of the local representative's driver's license showing a physical address (owner licenses).
- A signed local representative authorization form.
- A notarized, initialed self-compliance affidavit.
- Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 that covers short-term rental use. The town accepts an affidavit instead if you use the insurance of an approved platform; it names Airbnb, VRBO and Evolve.
- A passed fire inspection certificate.
- The registration fee.
The local representative must be within 60 minutes of the property and answer complaints 24/7.
Guide
What does it cost?
- Individual owner and professional manager licenses: $260 registration fee.
- On-site 24/7 front desk license: $50 registration fee.
Fees as listed on the town page on 2026-10-18. Licenses currently expire February 28, 2027.
Guide
Is there anything extra for a duplex?
Yes. For owner and manager licenses, send the owner of the adjoining unit a notice at least seven days before you apply, and keep USPS proof of mailing.
Guide
How do I apply and who do I ask?
Applications go through the town's MuniRevs portal, linked from the town page. Questions go to the town's short-term rental staff by the email and phone listed on that page. The town files taxes online and takes complaints through the same page.
By the numbers
Eagle County in the records
| Parcels in the hunt | 17,347 parcels the county files as homes or residential land in Eagle County. |
|---|---|
| Tax bill mailed elsewhere | 15,219 of the 17,026 with a mailing address on file (89%) send the tax bill to an address other than the property. |
| Mailed out of state | 3,740 (22%) send it outside Colorado. |
| Years since the last sale | Median 8.8 years, from 11,061 parcels with a recorded sale: under 5 years 2,704, 5 to 9 3,407, 10 to 19 2,523, 20 or more 2,427. |
| Property types | As the county labels them: SINGLE FAM.RES-IMPROVEMTS 15,637; SINGLE FAM.RES.-LAND 740; CONDOS-IMPROVEMENTS 650; FARM/RANCH RESIDENCE-IMPS 187; RES NOT INTEGRAL TO AG OPERATION-IMPS 72; DUP/TRIPLEX IMPROVEMTS 31. |
Source: shinnslist (county records), read October 16, 2026. How the counts are made and graded: How we grade. Nothing here predicts that an owner will sell. These are counts of public county records.
Questions
Questions people ask
Do I need a license to rent my Vail condo on Airbnb?
Yes. Any residential unit inside Town of Vail limits rented for less than 30 consecutive days needs a town STR license.
How much is a Vail STR license?
The town page lists a $260 registration fee for owner and manager licenses and $50 for units with a 24/7 on-site front desk, as read on 2026-10-18.
How close must the local representative be?
Within 60 minutes of the property, and available 24/7 to respond to complaints.