Key Takeaways
- The Colorado Springs STR permit application runs through the city’s Accela Citizen portal. The non-refundable fee is $124.95 for new applications and $119 for annual renewals.
- Required documents include a completed STR checklist and owner acknowledgment, proof of property ownership, proof of $500,000 liability insurance covering short-term rental activity, a designated 24-hour contact, and proof of an active listing on a hosting platform.
- Owner-occupied applicants must prove primary residency with two qualifying documents: a Colorado driver’s license or state ID, vehicle registration, voter registration, or a dependent’s school registration. Mail does not count.
- Non-owner-occupied applicants must submit a notarized affidavit and pass a zoning and 500-foot spacing verification before the city will approve the permit.
- City staff has 10 business days to review a complete application. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays and denials.
The Colorado Springs STR permit application is the step where preparation meets paperwork. You have confirmed your property’s zoning eligibility, verified there are no HOA restrictions, and decided whether you qualify as owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied. Now you need to assemble the right documents, submit through the right portal, and avoid the mistakes that delay or kill applications.
This guide walks through every step of the new application and renewal process, lists every required document, flags the most common rejection reasons, and explains what happens after you submit. For the broader regulatory framework covering zoning, taxes, insurance, and operating standards, see our parent guide on Colorado Springs STR permits.
What You Need Before You Start the Application
Before opening the Accela portal, gather every document you will need. Missing a single item stops the entire process, and the city will not review an incomplete application.
For all applicants (owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied):
- Completed Short Term Rental Checklist and Owner Acknowledgment (four pages, available at coloradosprings.gov/str)
- Proof of property ownership (a recorded deed or current property tax statement)
- Certificate of general liability insurance showing at least $500,000 in coverage that explicitly names short-term rental activity
- Name, address, and phone number of a designated 24-hour local contact person who can respond within one hour
- Proof of an active listing on a hosting platform (a screenshot of your Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com listing with the calendar blocked if you have not yet gone live)
- The $124.95 application fee (payable by credit card or electronic check through Accela)
Additional requirements for owner-occupied applicants:
- Two qualifying documents proving primary residency: a valid Colorado driver’s license or state ID, vehicle registration, voter registration, or a dependent’s school registration. The city explicitly states that mail alone does not count as proof of residency. City staff also reserves the right to request additional proof at any time.
Additional requirements for non-owner-occupied applicants:
- A signed and notarized Non-Owner-Occupied Affidavit (this can be done through online notarization services like Notarize.com)
According to the City of Colorado Springs, you cannot submit the application until you hold title to the property. If you are purchasing a property specifically for STR use, you can create your Accela account and begin filling out the application in advance, but you must wait until closing to submit.
Step-by-Step Application Through the Accela Portal
The City of Colorado Springs processes all STR permit applications through its Accela Citizen Access portal. The portal handles both new applications and renewals. Here is the process from start to finish.
Step 1: Create an Accela account. Go to the city’s permits portal and register for a new account. You will need a valid email address. Save your login credentials because you will return to this account for renewals every year.
Step 2: Start a new application. Log into your account and navigate to the Planning tab. Select “Short Term Rental Permit” to begin a new application. The system will guide you through a series of form fields.
Step 3: Complete the application form. Enter your property address, owner information, contact details, and permit type (owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied). Fill in all fields. Save your progress as you go. You can log out and resume the application at any time without losing your work.
Step 4: Upload required documents. Attach every document from the checklist above. The system accepts PDF and image file uploads. Make sure your insurance certificate is current and your listing screenshot clearly shows the property address or listing URL.
Step 5: Pay the application fee. The $124.95 fee is payable by credit card or electronic check through the portal. The fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the permit is approved or denied. The city does not accept phone or in-person payments for STR applications.
Step 6: Submit the application. Review everything one final time and submit. You will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. Use this number to check your application status through the portal.
The city’s Accela public user guide for STRs provides detailed screenshots of each portal step. Multiple experienced users and local real estate professionals have noted that the portal interface can be difficult to use, so downloading the user guide before starting is worth the five minutes it takes to read.
What Happens After You Submit
Once the city receives a complete application, staff has 10 business days to review it. During this review period, the city verifies all required documentation, confirms zoning compliance, checks the 500-foot spacing requirement for non-owner-occupied properties, and validates your insurance coverage and contact information.
If your application is complete and everything checks out, the city issues your STR permit. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. You will receive your permit number, which must be displayed on every listing across every platform where you advertise the property.
If your application is incomplete or fails a compliance check, the city will notify you of the specific issue. Common reasons for delays include missing or expired insurance certificates, residency documents that do not match the property address, incorrect zoning assumptions for non-owner-occupied applications, and notarization errors on the non-owner-occupied affidavit.
One critical detail that catches buyers: the STR permit does not run with the property. It is issued to the specific owner. When a property sells, the permit expires immediately. The new owner must apply for a brand new permit. For non-owner-occupied properties, this means the buyer must independently qualify for a new permit, including passing the zoning and spacing checks. A property having had a permit under the previous owner does not guarantee the next owner will receive one.
The Renewal Process: What Changes in Year Two
Renewals are simpler than the initial application but carry higher stakes. Missing your renewal deadline means your permit lapses immediately. There is no grace period.
The renewal process has two steps. First, pay the $119 renewal fee by credit card or electronic check. Second, submit a completed Short Term Rental Renewal Application (two pages) via email to shorttermrentals@coloradosprings.gov.
According to the City of Colorado Springs, the applicant is responsible for renewing the permit without lapse. The city does not send reminder notices. You must track your own expiration date and submit the renewal before it passes.
For non-owner-occupied properties, a lapsed permit carries a consequence beyond just a gap in bookings. The city treats a lapsed permit as a forfeiture of your established position. If another investor applies for a non-owner-occupied permit within 500 feet of your property while your permit is lapsed, that new applicant could claim the spot. You would then need to reapply as a new applicant and pass the spacing check again, which may no longer be possible.
The renewal requires current documentation. Your insurance certificate must be valid at the time of renewal, and your 24-hour contact information must be up to date. If anything has changed since your initial application, update it during the renewal.
Five Application Mistakes That Get Permits Denied
1. Submitting before you have title. The city will not process an application from someone who does not yet own the property. If you are under contract, wait until closing day. You can pre-fill the application in Accela, but do not hit submit until the deed is recorded.
2. Using a standard homeowner’s insurance policy. The city requires $500,000 in general liability coverage that explicitly names short-term rental activity. A standard homeowner’s policy does not meet this requirement even if it carries $500,000 in liability coverage. The policy must reference STR, vacation rental, or short-term rental hosting. Platform protections like AirCover do not satisfy this requirement either.
3. Applying for a non-owner-occupied permit in a single-family zone. This is an automatic denial. Non-owner-occupied STR applications submitted after December 26, 2019 are prohibited in R-E, R-1 6, R-1 9, and single-family PDZ zones. Verify your zone eligibility before applying.
4. Forgetting the notarized affidavit. Non-owner-occupied applicants must submit a signed and notarized affidavit. A signature alone is not sufficient. Online notarization services can handle this in under 30 minutes, but skipping it will stop your application cold.
5. Not designating a 24-hour contact. Every STR permit requires a local contact person available around the clock who can respond to the property within one hour. If you are a remote investor without someone local, you need a property management company to fill this role before you can submit.
Costs Beyond the Permit Fee
The $124.95 application fee is just the starting point. A complete STR setup in Colorado Springs involves several additional costs that new operators should budget for before applying.
Insurance is the largest compliance cost. Standalone STR insurance policies from specialist carriers typically run $1,000 to $3,000 per year depending on property size, location, and coverage limits. A short-term rental endorsement on an existing homeowner’s policy may cost less but offers narrower coverage.
Tax registration is a separate process from the STR permit. You must register with the Colorado Department of Revenue for state sales tax and with the City of Colorado Springs for local sales and lodging taxes. The combined tax burden on Colorado Springs STR bookings reaches approximately 9.25%, which you collect from guests and remit to the appropriate agencies.
Professional photography, furnishing, and listing optimization are not city requirements, but they directly affect whether your property generates enough revenue to justify the investment. According to Airbtics, the median annual revenue for a Colorado Springs Airbnb is approximately $40,000. Properties with professional setups consistently outperform DIY listings.
How Hoste Handles the Application Process for Owners
The permit application is where most self-managing hosts hit their first wall. Between the Accela portal, the document requirements, the notarization, and the insurance coordination, the process takes hours of focused work even when everything goes right. When something goes wrong, it takes weeks.
Hoste handles the full permit lifecycle for every property in our Colorado Springs portfolio. That includes verifying zoning and spacing eligibility before onboarding, coordinating all application documents and insurance certificates, submitting and tracking applications through the Accela portal, serving as the designated 24-hour local contact, managing annual renewals so permits never lapse, and handling tax registration and remittance across all applicable agencies.
For owners evaluating a new property or looking to hand off an existing one, get a free earnings estimate from Hoste. We will tell you what the property can earn and walk you through every compliance step from application to first booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Colorado Springs STR permit cost?
New applications cost $124.95. Annual renewals cost $119. Both fees are non-refundable and payable by credit card or electronic check through the city’s Accela portal. Each property address requires its own permit and fee.
How long does the application review take?
City staff has 10 business days to review a complete application. Incomplete applications are not accepted for review and will require resubmission once all documents are provided. Processing times may vary during high-volume periods.
Can I apply for a permit before I close on the property?
You can create an Accela account and begin filling out the application in advance, but you cannot submit until you hold title to the property. The city will not process an application from someone who does not own the property at the time of submission.
Is the STR permit transferable to a new owner?
No. The permit is issued to the specific owner of the property and expires upon sale or transfer. A new owner must apply for a brand new permit and meet all requirements independently, including zoning and spacing verification for non-owner-occupied properties.
What happens if my permit expires before I renew?
Your permit lapses immediately with no grace period. You must cease all STR activity until a new permit is issued. For non-owner-occupied properties, a lapsed permit may result in forfeiture of your established position under the 500-foot spacing rule.
Does Airbnb’s AirCover satisfy the insurance requirement?
No. The city requires a dedicated general liability insurance policy showing at least $500,000 in coverage that explicitly names short-term rental activity. Platform protections like AirCover function as supplemental coverage but do not meet the city’s documentation requirements.
What proof of residency does the city accept for owner-occupied permits?
Two qualifying documents from this list: a valid Colorado driver’s license or state ID, vehicle registration, voter registration, or a dependent’s school registration. Mail does not count. The city may request additional proof at any time.
Can I start hosting while my application is being reviewed?
No. You must have a valid, issued permit before accepting any guest bookings. Operating without a permit is a code violation that carries fines, stop-use orders, and potential permanent license denial. The $124.95 permit fee is a fraction of what unlicensed operation can cost in penalties.
Ready to skip the paperwork and start earning? Get a free earnings estimate from Hoste and let us handle the entire permit process for your Colorado Springs property.