Overview

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado as of the most recent regulations adopted by Larimer County. Red Feather Lakes falls within the unincorporated areas of Larimer County and is subject to county-wide STR regulations with some specific provisions that apply to this community.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Red Feather Lakes

Step 1: Pre-Application Meeting

• Contact the Larimer County Planning Department to schedule a pre-application meeting
• Your assigned planner will review submittal requirements and the planning process
• Pre-applications expire six months from the date of the meeting

Step 2: Choose Your Process Option

Option #1 - Concurrent Process

• Both Planning and Building processes run concurrently
• Saves time but requires upfront payment
• Planning fee: $800, Building fee: $300

Option #2 - Life Safety Inspection First

• Complete life safety inspection prior to planning review
• Building fee: $100 initially
• If proceeding, additional $1,000 fee ($800 Planning + $200 Building)

Step 3: Electronic Application Submittal

• Email all materials to: planningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us
• Submit each item as a separate PDF
• Application fees due following complete submittal

Step 4: Staff and Referral Agency Review

• Minimum 60-day referral period for STR applications
• Review of all comments and necessary corrections

Step 5: Decision Process

• Administrative approval by Director of Community Development
• May be scheduled for Board of County Commissioners hearing if:
  • Appeal to Code standards
  • Significant neighbor opposition

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Mandatory Submittal Requirements:

1. Application Form - Official Larimer County land use application
2. Application Fee - Current fee at time of submission
3. Project Information Sheet - STR-specific form
4. Operations Manual - Detailed guest information document
5. Site Plan - Property layout showing structures, parking, boundaries
6. Floor Plans - Each level on separate pages with detailed labeling
7. Egress Maps - For each habitable room showing exit routes, address, GPS coordinates, contact phone
8. Roadway & Access Standards Certification - Access adequacy verification
9. Non-Subdivision Water Supply Form - Required if using well water
10. Submittal Checklist - Completed checklist

Operations Manual Must Include:

• 24-hour contact information for Owner
• Property address, GPS coordinates, phone number
• Maximum occupancy limits and bedroom count
• Parking instructions (vehicles must park on property)
• Escape route map to mainline road
• Emergency contact information (Fire, Police, Sheriff, Ambulance)
• Emergency shut-off instructions for water, gas, electrical
• Fire extinguisher location and operation instructions
• Garbage storage and removal plan
• Fire pit instructions (if applicable)
• Wildfire hazard information
• Wildlife interaction information
• Quiet hours restrictions (HOA or County Noise Ordinance)
• Cigarette butt disposal policy
• Floodplain hazard information (if applicable)
• County Parks/Open Space pass requirements
• Emergency alert sign-up information

Additional Requirements:

• STR License Renewal - Every other year on anniversary
• Life-Safety Inspection - Every four years with license renewal
• Building Permits - Not accepted while application pending
• Certificate of Occupancy - Issued after planning approval

Specific Regulations for Red Feather Lakes

Separation Requirements:

• Red Feather Lakes: STRs must be separated by 250 feet (specific provision for this community)
• General residential zones: 500-foot separation requirement

Ownership Provisions:

• New and existing licenses may be transferred to immediate family members
• Property managers must live within one hour of properties they manage

Zoning Compliance:

• STRs allowed in most zoning districts: FO, A, RR-1, RR-2, O, IR, UR-1, UR-2, UR-3, MU-N, MU-C, CD, and AP

Maximum Occupancy:

• Calculated as bedrooms × 2 occupants
• Large STRs defined as greater than 10 occupants

Key Compliance Standards:

• Water verification required (cisterns not adequate)
• Sanitary sewer or septic verification required
• Floodplain standards apply if property is within designated areas
• Life-safety inspection standards must be met
• "3 strikes and you're out" enforcement approach
• All surrounding property owners within 500 feet notified

Enforcement:

• Unlawful to lease, advertise, or permit without required approvals
• Three valid complaints can result in suspension or revocation
• 24/7 property manager availability required
• Advertising must contain valid Larimer County approval number

Colorado State Requirements

Lodging Taxes:

• State Sales Tax - Required registration with Colorado Department of Revenue
• Local lodging taxes - May apply depending on jurisdiction
• Marketplace collection - Some platforms collect taxes, but operators must still register
• STRs defined as reservations less than 30 consecutive days
• Tax registration required regardless of marketplace participation

State Registration:

• Register with Colorado Department of Revenue for sales tax license
• May need local tax authority registration depending on jurisdiction
• File regular lodging tax returns

Contact Information

Primary Contacts:

Larimer County Planning Department

• Address: 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins, CO 80521
• Phone: (970) 498-7000
• Email: planning@larimer.org
• Website: larimer.gov/planning

Specific Contacts:

• On Call Planner: planning@larimer.org
• Application Submittal: planningCIRT@co.larimer.co.us
• Engineering Department: eng-devrev@larimer.org
• Floodplain Administrator: eng-floodplain@larimer.org
• Building Division: (970) 498-7660
• Clerk and Recorder: (970) 498-7860
• Health Department (Septic): (970) 498-6775
• Division of Water Resources (Wells): (970) 352-8712

Red Feather Lakes Specific:

• Red Feather Lakes Planning Advisory Committee (RFLPAC) - Provides community input on STR regulations

Source Links

Primary Regulatory Documents:

• Larimer County STR Regulations
• Short-Term Rental Ordinance (April 2023)
• Administrative Special Review - STR Application
• Land Use Application Form
• Project Information Sheet - STR

Regulatory Standards:

• Section 3.3.5.B - STR Use Standards
• Roadway & Access Standards Certification
• Non-Subdivision Water Supply Form

Information Resources:

• Wildfire Hazard Information
• Wildlife Interaction Information
• Emergency Alert Sign-Up Information
• Larimer County Noise Ordinance

News and Updates:

• Coloradoan Article on New Regulations
• RFLPAC Presentation on STR Regulations

Maps and Planning Resources:

• Countywide STR Location Density Map
• Countywide STR Zoning District Map

Note: All regulations are subject to change. Investors should verify current requirements with Larimer County before proceeding with applications. The county has indicated ongoing monitoring and potential future adjustments to STR regulations based on community feedback and compliance experience.