Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Morrison, Colorado?

No. Short-term rentals (rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days) are explicitly prohibited within the Town of Morrison, Colorado. This prohibition is a matter of town ordinance and applies regardless of the property's zoning district. The ordinance is in place to preserve the residential character of the town.

The only exceptions to this rule are for traditional lodging establishments such as hotels, motels, and licensed bed and breakfast inns, which are permitted under specific zoning regulations.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Morrison, Colorado

You cannot legally start a short-term rental business within Morrison town limits.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines (Morrison, CO)

N/A - Short-term rentals are prohibited.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (Morrison, CO)

The governing ordinance (Title 10, Chapter 1, Article E, Section 6) states:

"The renting or leasing of real property for residential occupation for periods of time less than thirty (30) days is prohibited in any zoning district within the town, except as permitted in this title for hotels, motels and bed and breakfast inns."

This law was passed with the stated intention to "protect residential integrity."

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business (Jefferson County, CO)

While they are prohibited in the Town of Morrison, short-term rentals may be permissible on properties located within the unincorporated areas of Jefferson County. The process is a strict two-step procedure designed to ensure the STR is secondary to the primary residential use of the property.

The process is as follows:

1. Special Exception Approval: First, you must obtain a Special Exception from the Jefferson County Board of Adjustment. This is a public hearing where your proposal is reviewed for compliance with county zoning standards.
2. Short-Term Rental Permit: If your Special Exception is approved, you must then apply for and receive a Short-Term Rental Permit from the Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Division. This permit is subject to renewal.

Timeline: The Special Exception case process takes approximately two months from the initial application submittal to the final Board of Adjustment hearing and decision.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines (Jefferson County, CO)

• Special Exception Application (Board of Adjustment): This application initiates the process.
• Short-Term Rental Permit Application (Planning & Zoning): This application is submitted after receiving Special Exception approval.

All applicants must comply with the Zoning Resolution, and detailed requirements are outlined in the "Short-Term Rental Criteria" section.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (Jefferson County, CO)

Jefferson County regulates STRs as a residential use. This means that the property is taxed as a residential structure and must adhere to residential building codes.

Eligibility Criteria: To be considered for a Special Exception and a STR Permit, the property must meet the following criteria:

• Property Size: The property must be a minimum of one (1) acre in size.
• Type of Dwelling: The STR must be a single-family detached dwelling or a portion thereof (e.g., a room or rooms within the main house). It must contain not more than five (5) bedrooms.
• Zoning Compliance: All building standards of the underlying zone district must be met.
• Infrastructure: The property must have adequate parking and demonstrate valid water and sanitation services.
• Fire Safety: The property must meet defensible space requirements, particularly those set forth by the Wildfire Hazard Overlay District.
• Access: The property must have legal access.
• Primary Use: The property must be the primary dwelling unit of the owner or occupant.
• Compliance: The property must be free of any zoning or code violations and must not pose a substantial detriment to the intent of the Zoning Resolution.

Renewal: If approved, the Special Exception must be renewed with the Board of Adjustment at the six-month mark. After that, the STR Permit must be renewed annually.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (State of Colorado)

No state-level regulations specific to short-term rentals were found in the provided content. Regulation is primarily handled at the municipal (city/town) and county levels.

Contact Information

• Morrison Town Clerk: 303-697-8749
• Jefferson County Planning & Zoning: Phone: 303-271-6511
• Jefferson County Board of Adjustment: Contact through Planning & Zoning.
• Jefferson County Planning & Zoning Director (O'Keefe): For general inquiries on the county's STR regulation update process. (The blog post indicates they are actively reviewing and updating their STR regulations).

Source Links

• Jefferson County - Short-Term Rentals
• Town of Morrison, Colorado - STR Ordinance (Sterling Codifiers)
• BiggerPockets Forum - Short-Term Rental in Morrison CO
• Colorado Hard Money - Short-Term Rentals Coming for the Suburbs of Denver, Colorado