Lodging Facility

A hotel, lodging house, rooming house, or other place where transients are accommodated, in which four or more rooms are rented out.
For up to date information go to the DenverGov page on Lodging Facility Licensing.


How to Get a Business License

Step 1: Zone Use Permit
A Zone Use Permit is required before obtaining a Lodging Facility License.

A use permit is a document granting the applicant/owner of a lot, building, or structure permission for the requested use of the land. "Use" can be defined as any activity, occupation, business or operation transacted in a building or on a lot/tract of land.

You can use the resources on the Internet to plan ahead before you lease or buy property and before you apply for your business license.  Follow the steps below to learn more about the approved zone uses for the address where you want to locate your business.  Start on the  Find Your Zoning page.

  1. Enter the desired address.  Click Search.
  2. Note the Zone District.
  3. Click on the + to Expand for more information. 
  4. Note the Neighborhood Context.
  5. Click on the link for the Zoning Code or in Former Chapter 59.
  6. Click on the Article # for the Neighborhood Context noted above.
  7. Open the document and scroll to the "Use" tables at the bottom of the document.
  8. Find the "Use" category in the left column and the Zone District in the columns to the right.
  9. The code in the intersecting square represents the permitted use.  (There is a key to the codes at the top of every page.)
Ultimately, the zone use permit for your business license must be approved and issued by the Zoning department.  Learn more about the Denver Zoning Code or visit the Zoning Office.

Applying for a Zone Use Permit

Office Hours and Location:General Hours:  8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Webb Municipal Office Building201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor

Phone:All City Services:  (720) 913-1311General:  (720) 865-3000

Email:zoning.review@denvergov.org
Step 2: Required Documents
Fingerprints for the following:

  • The applicant, or any person with a financial interest of twenty-five (25) percent or greater in the facility stated in the application; or
  • If there isn’t an applicant that owns twenty-five (25) percent or greater, then the applicant with the highest percentage of ownership
  • Read more about Fingerprinting and Background Checks.
Step 3: Fees
No. of Units |  Application Fee |  License Fee
4 to 25 | $100.00 | $100.00
26 to 50 | $150.00 | $125.00
51 to 100 | $200.00 | $150.00
101 to 200 | $250.00 | $175.00
Over 200 | $300.00 | $200.00

Fingerprint Fee:  $16.50 per person who owns at least 25% of the business entity (or the applicant that has the highest percentage of ownership)

Fees can be paid with cash, check, money order or credit card. Checks should be made payable to Manager of Finance.
Step 4: Required Inspections
  • Denver Fire Department (720) 913-3474
  • Department of Public Health and Environment (720) 865-5401
  • Development Services (720) 865-2630 You will receive an automated message requesting information about your inspection. If you would like to speak with a representative, please call 720-865-2505, option 6.


Step 5: Get Your License
Once your inspections are completed, return to the Department of Excise and Licenses office.  Your license will be issued when the following actions are taken:

  1. All documents required for the license are complete and submitted to the office.
  2. The background check is accepted and approved.
  3. Fees are paid in full.
  4. All required inspections are passed.

Renew a Business License


Renew Your License:

Renew in Person 

  1. Come to the Department of Excise and Licenses office.
  2. Request a renewal for your business license.
  3. You will be issued a payment voucher.
  4. Take the payment voucher to the cashier and pay the renewal license fee.
  5. Return to the Department of Excise and Licenses office with your receipt for payment.
  6. Your business license will be printed.


Renew by Mail 
You can mail in your license renewal along with a check made payable to the Manager of Finance for the total city fees due. Be sure to include your Business File Number (BFN) on your check.

Office Hours and Location 
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Webb Municipal Office Building
201 W. Colfax Avenue, 2nd Floor

Mailing Information 
Department of Excise and Licenses
201 W. Colfax Ave Dept. 206
Denver, CO 80202


Renewal Fees

No. of Units |  License Fee
4 to 25 | $100.00
26 to 50 | $125.00
51 to 100 | $150.00
101 to 200 | $175.00
Over 200 |  $200.00


Late Renewals

Licenses must be renewed on or before the expiration date to avoid penalty fees.

90 Day Grace Period

There is a 90 day grace period from the expiration date during which licenses can be renewed by paying for the license fee and a penalty fee.

First 30 days of grace period:  20% penalty fee

Days 31 - 90:  50% penalty fee

After 90 days:  Licensees will be required to apply for a new license


Renewal Policies

  • Department of Excise and Licenses inspectors will attempt to locate and notify business license holders of the approaching expiration date.  However, failure of an inspector to notify a delinquent licensee that its license has expired does not excuse the licensee from any applicable late penalty.