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

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Greeley, Colorado, but with significant restrictions and regulatory requirements. The City of Greeley adopted comprehensive short-term rental regulations through Ordinance No. ____, 2020, which amended the Greeley Municipal Code to establish clear allowances and regulations for this land use. The city distinguishes between two types of short-term rentals:

1. Accessory Short-term Rentals - Permitted in all zoning districts with strict occupancy and frequency limits
2. Primary Short-term Rentals - Permitted only in commercial and industrial zones with specific limitations

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Greeley

Initial Planning Phase

Step 1: Determine Your Rental Type

• Accessory STR: Rent your own residence or portions thereof to visitors while you maintain primary residence status
• Primary STR: Rent properties you don't primarily occupy, limited to commercial/industrial zones

Step 2: Zoning Compliance Verification

• Confirm your property zoning allows your intended STR type
• Accessory STRs are permitted in all residential zones (R-L, R-E, R-MH, R-M, R-H)
• Primary STRs are only permitted in commercial and industrial zones (C-L, C-H, I-L, I-M, I-H, H-A, C-D, PUD) with "D" (Discretionary) approval

Step 3: Business Planning

• Determine your investment strategy based on frequency limitations
• Accessory STRs offer flexibility but with strict night caps
• Primary STRs in commercial zones may offer more operational freedom but require discretionary approval

Licensing and Registration Process

Step 1: Obtain Required Licenses

• Business License (mandatory for all STR operators)
• Sales Tax License (for collecting/remitting taxes)
• Home Occupation Permit (for accessory STRs)

Step 2: Property Compliance

• Ensure property meets all building and fire safety standards
• Complete any required safety inspections
• Verify occupancy limits align with applicable codes

Step 3: Advertisement Compliance

• Include business license number in ALL listings and advertisements
• Ensure compliance with occupancy limits in all marketing materials

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Core Licenses and Permits

1. Business License

   • Required for all STR operators
   • Must be included in all property advertisements
   • Contact City of Greeley Business License Division

2. Sales Tax License

   • Required for collecting and remitting state and local sales taxes
   • Contact Colorado Department of Revenue and City Finance Department

3. Home Occupation Permit (Accessory STRs only)

   • Required accessory use permit
   • Part of the home occupation regulations under Section 18.52.036

Property Requirements

Safety Compliance:

• Smoke detectors and fire safety equipment as required by building codes
• Compliance with applicable building and fire occupancy standards
• Emergency exits clearly marked and accessible

Local Representation (Primary STRs):

• Contact information for local representative within 30-mile radius
• Representative must be able to respond immediately to city personnel, safety personnel, utility providers, and emergency situations

Documentation for Ongoing Operations

Occupancy Logs:

• Maintain detailed visitor logs for potential city inspection
• Track stay durations to ensure compliance with night limits
• Records must show check-in/check-out dates and guest information

Business Records:

• Booking records and guest communications
• Financial records for tax compliance
• Communication logs with local representatives (if applicable)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Accessory Short-Term Rental Regulations

Frequency and Occupancy Limits:

Option 1: Single Bedroom Rentals

• Maximum 1 bedroom rented per night
• Resident must be staying in dwelling unit each night the bedroom is rented
• Occupancy limits: 2 adult visitors (18+) + 2 minor visitors (under 18) plus residents
• Must comply with building/fire occupancy standards

Option 2: Multiple Bedroom/Entire Unit Rentals

• Can rent more than 1 bedroom up to entire dwelling unit
• STRICT LIMIT: Maximum 73 nights per calendar year
• Occupancy limits: Maximum 8 visitors (any age) plus residents OR building/fire standard maximum, whichever is lower
• Must provide local representative contact information within 30-mile radius

Stay Duration Limits:

• Individual visitors cannot stay more than 14 consecutive nights
• Individual visitors cannot exceed 30 cumulative nights per calendar year

Ownership Requirements:

• Dwelling unit must be owned with minimum 50% interest by natural person who is resident
• Subject dwelling unit must be primary residence
• Owner must reside at property at least 180 nights per calendar year

Primary Short-Term Rental Regulations

Zoning Restrictions:

• Only permitted in commercial and industrial zones (C-L, C-H, I-L, I-M, I-H, H-A, C-D, PUD)
• Requires discretionary approval in many zones
• Not permitted in residential zones

Stay Duration Limits:

• Maximum 30 cumulative nights per calendar year per visitor
• Visitors staying more than 30 continuous nights considered residents
• Must comply with zoning district occupancy and family standards

Unit Limitations:

• Buildings with 9 or fewer units under same ownership: Maximum 1 unit as primary STR
• Buildings with 10 or more units under same ownership: Maximum 20% of units as primary STRs

Operational Requirements:

• Must provide local representative contact information within 30-mile radius
• Must provide visitor logs to City upon request
• Occupancy limits must comply with building and fire standards
• Business license number required in all advertisements

Parking Requirements

• Primary STRs: 1 space per 2 bedrooms
• Accessory STRs: Standard residential parking requirements apply

Home Occupation Integration

Accessory STRs are considered permitted home occupations under Section 18.52.036(e)(1)(j) and must comply with all home occupation standards including:

• No exterior appearance alterations
• No on-premises signs advertising the business
• Maximum 20% of living space used for business (except for accessory STRs)
• Confined within dwelling unit
• Normal residential utility usage
• Compliance with building codes

Contact Information

City of Greeley Community Development Department

Primary Contact for STR Regulations

• Address: 1000 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631
• Phone: (970) 350-9780
• Website: greeleygov.com/planning
• Email: Contact through city website inquiry forms

Business Licensing Division

• Phone: (970) 350-9780
• Location: City Hall, 1000 10th Street
• Functions: Business license applications and renewals

Code Enforcement Division

• Phone: (970) 350-9830
• Functions: STR compliance and violation reporting
• Address: 1000 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631

Building Inspection Department

• Phone: (970) 350-9820
• Functions: Safety inspections, occupancy compliance
• Email: building@greeleygov.com

City Finance Department (Sales Tax)

• Phone: (970) 350-9730
• Functions: Sales tax licensing and compliance
• Address: 1000 10th Street, Greeley, CO 80631

Weld County Planning and Zoning

County-Level Planning (if applicable)

• Address: 1111 "O" Street, Greeley, CO 80631
• Phone: (970) 400-3000
• Website: weldcountyclerk.net/planning

Links to Source Pages

Primary Regulatory Sources

• City of Greeley Short-Term Rental Ordinance 2020

Additional Resources

• Greeley Municipal Code
• Greeley Planning Department
• Greeley Rental Housing Guide

State-Level Resources (Colorado)

• Colorado Department of Revenue - Sales Tax
• Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association

Compliance and Enforcement Notes

Critical Compliance Requirements:

1. Night Limit Tracking: Both accessory and primary STR operators must meticulously track visitor nights to ensure compliance with annual limits
2. Advertisement Compliance: Business license number must appear in ALL online and print advertisements
3. Safety Standards: Properties must meet all applicable building and fire codes
4. Local Representation: Primary STRs and certain accessory STR configurations require local representative contact

Potential Violations:

• Exceeding annual night limits
• Operating without proper licenses
• Advertising without business license number
• Violating occupancy limits
• Non-compliance with home occupation standards

Enforcement Actions:

• Citation and fines for violations
• Potential business license suspension or revocation
• Required remedial actions for safety violations

This regulatory framework represents a balanced approach to allowing short-term rentals while protecting residential neighborhood character and ensuring public safety. Investors should carefully consider these limitations when developing their business strategies in the Greeley market.