Del Norte, Colorado Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Based on the provided documents for Del Norte, Colorado, and its governing county, here is a comprehensive guide for short-term rental (STR) investors.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Del Norte, CO?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in the Town of Del Norte, Colorado, but only as a conditional use and with strict regulations.

The Town of Del Norte allows STRs (defined as rentals of 30 days or less) as a conditional use in all zoned districts, subject to approval from the Town Administrator and compliance with specific zoning, safety, and licensing requirements. Additionally, properties in the unincorporated areas of Rio Grande County (outside the town limits) require a Temporary Use Permit.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Del Norte, CO

The process varies depending on whether your property is within the Town of Del Norte limits or in the unincorporated Rio Grande County.

For Properties Within Town of Del Norte Limits:

Conditional Use Review: Since STRs are a conditional use, you must first go through the conditional use review process. The Town requires a pre-application meeting with staff before submitting your formal application. This can be done by calling Town Hall.
Public Notification: The Town will notify all property owners within 300 feet of your proposed STR. A notice will be posted on the property and at Town Hall, and comments will be accepted for at least 15 days.
Planning Commission Hearing: Depending on the specifics of your application, a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission may be required. Their decision can be appealed to the Board of Trustees.
Permit & License Application: Upon conditional use approval, apply for your STR Use Permit and Business License from the Town Administrator. This application includes critical documentation (see next section).

For Properties in Unincorporated Rio Grande County:

Temporary Use Permit: You must apply for a Temporary Use Permit specifically for a "Vacation Rental" with the Rio Grande County Land Use Department.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The following are the core requirements derived from the official documents:

A. Town of Del Norte Requirements:

Short-Term Rental Use Application: This is the primary application for your permit.
Business License Application: Must be obtained and renewed annually.
Pre-Application Meeting Documentation: Proof of meeting with staff.
Conditional Use Application (Fee $150.00): This is the application for the use itself, separate from the STR permit.
Property & Liability Insurance: Proof of insurance is required.
Parking Plan: A plan compliant with the property's zoning district.
Floor Plan and Site Sketch: Showing property dimensions, buildings, number of bedrooms/beds (max 8 guests), parking, trash, fire egress, and locations of smoke/CO alarms and fire extinguishers.
Life Safety Inspection Report: Conducted by a certified inspector approved by the Town, at the owner's expense. This is required before the initial license is issued and 60 days before each annual renewal. The report verifies the installation and maintenance of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, CO alarms, and posting of maximum occupancy.
Tax Licenses:
- Colorado Sales Tax License: Evidence of issuance is required for application completeness.
- State Sales Tax (2.9%), Town Sales Tax (2.0%), and Rio Grande County Lodging Tax (1.9%): You must collect and remit these taxes.
Application Fees: A $50.00 STR Application Fee and a $25.00 Business License Fee are required.

B. Rio Grande County Requirements (for properties in unincorporated areas):

Temporary Use Permit Application for Vacation Rental.
Liability Insurance Certificate: Active policy required.
HOA/POA Documentation: A copy of covenants/bylaws and, if required, a letter of approval from the HOA/POA.
Tax Compliance: Proof of paid sales and lodging taxes, or certification that a rental company (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) will handle the tax collection.
Life Safety Equipment: Certified fire extinguishers, smoke alarms (in each sleeping room and on each story), and Carbon Monoxide Detectors (within 15 feet of each sleeping room). An egress ladder is required for levels above the first floor.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Town of Del Norte:

Owner Eligibility: The owner must have primary residency within Rio Grande County.
Number of STRs: An owner can operate a maximum of two (2) STR properties.
Residential Zoning Limits (RU, R1, R2): Only one STR is allowed per block. STRs in these zones are limited to renting furnished rooms or furnished portions of an owner-occupied dwelling.
Commercial Zoning Limits (Commercial Highway and Business Districts): The number of STRs cannot exceed ten (10) each for these districts.
Business Entity Restriction: STR permits in residential zones must be held by a natural person, not a corporation or LLC.
Non-Transferable: STR permits are non-transferable upon the sale of the property.
Occupancy: Maximum of eight (8) persons per dwelling unit, with a maximum of two persons per bed.
Quiet Times: Strictly enforced starting at 10:00 PM.
Local Representative: An owner or designated representative who lives within Rio Grande County must be available 24/7 to manage the property during any occupation.
Postings Required: The property must prominently display the owner/representative contact information, emergency contacts, property rules (trash, parking, noise, pets), and fire evacuation directions.

Rio Grande County:

Property Manager: The property manager (owner or designated person) must reside in Rio Grande County or a neighboring county.
Structure Legality: STRs must be in a legally constructed dwelling. Utility rooms, garages, etc., cannot be used as sleeping areas.
Address & Parking: A permitted driveway and a clearly posted, legal physical address are required. Guests must park on-site.
Trash: Owners must provide regular trash removal to prevent nuisance.

Contact Information

Town of Del Norte (for properties within town limits):

Address: Town Hall, Del Norte, CO 81132
Phone: (719) 657-2708 (for conditional use application and general inquiries)
Website: www.delnortecolorado.com

Rio Grande County Land Use Department (for properties outside town limits):

Address: 925 6th Street, Room 208, Del Norte, CO 81132
Phone: (719) 657-4003
Website: riograndecounty.colorado.gov

Links to Source Pages

Town of Del Norte STR Policy Document: Town of Del Norte - Short-Term Rental Use Requirements (PDF)
Rio Grande County Vacation Rental Permit Document: Rio Grande County - Short-Term Rental Permit (PDF)

The documents clearly indicate that while short-term rentals are a permitted activity in Del Norte, they are a heavily regulated form of land use, designed to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the need to protect residential character and ensure public safety. Careful adherence to every requirement is essential for successful and legal operation.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Del Norte?

Del Norte hosts earn a median $19,161/year with $108 ADR and 59% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $29,101+ per year.

See the full Del Norte market breakdown

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Ask the AI Advisor about Del Norte

Del Norte is a small community in southern Colorado that serves as the county seat of Rio Grande County, with an approximate population of around 1,600 residents. Tucked into the western edge of the San Luis Valley where the high desert plain meets the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, the town has the feel of a quiet agricultural and ranching community with a deep frontier and Hispanic heritage. It sits along the Rio Grande River near where one of the river's headwater forks begins its journey south toward New Mexico and beyond, and it functions primarily as a gateway to the surrounding national forest and mountain recreation. Del Norte is roughly 30 miles south of Alamosa, the nearest sizable commercial hub, and approximately 230 miles south of Denver along a route that crosses the spine of the Sangre de Cristo Range.

Surrounding the town on three sides, Rio Grande National Forest offers immediate access to hiking, camping, hunting, horseback riding, and some of Colorado's most celebrated trout fishing on the upper Rio Grande and its tributaries. Trails like the segment of the Continental Divide Trail that passes through the forest draw backpackers each summer, while the autumn elk rut brings wildlife viewers into the backcountry. The forest's edge is just a few minutes' drive from town, making it the single most defining feature of the local outdoor scene.

About 60 to 70 miles to the northeast, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve protects the tallest sand dunes in North America, rising several hundred feet above the valley floor against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The park combines the dune field with alpine tundra, wetlands, and the seasonal Medano Creek, and it draws families, photographers, and sandboarders throughout the warmer months. From Del Norte, the drive typically runs about an hour and a half, often combined with a stop in Alamosa for supplies.

Roughly 20 miles south of Del Norte, the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a well-known stopover for migrating sandhill cranes each spring and fall, when thousands of the birds gather in the wetland fields of the upper valley. The refuge also hosts raptors, waterfowl, and pronghorn throughout the year and has a driving loop and short walking trails that make it a low-key, family-friendly outing. Combined with the paved scenic drives that climb west into the San Juan Mountains toward historic mining areas like Creede, the refuge rounds out a region that feels purpose-built for nature-focused travelers.

For short-term-rental owners, Del Norte offers a rare combination of small-town affordability, year-round outdoor appeal, and proximity to marquee destinations like Great Sand Dunes and the Rio Grande National Forest. Its position along the highway corridor between Alamosa and the southern San Juans makes it a natural overnight base for road-trippers, anglers, and hunters, while its compact footprint keeps competition for lodging low compared to busier resort communities further west.