When deciding whether to let Cohost manage your short-term rental, it is important for you to understand the laws in your city. As a short-term rental property management company we do not provide legal advice, but we want to give you some useful links that may help you better understand laws and regulations in Jefferson County. This list is not exhaustive, but it should give you a good start in understanding your local laws. To find out relevant information, it is always good practice to check with your county or city government website. You can find out short-term rental information here.
Jefferson County considers Short Term Rentals to be residential use. The Assessor's Office taxes Short Term Rentals as residential structures (although the furnishings inside can be taxed as Business Personal Property if certain conditions are met). The permission for a dwelling to be used for Short Term Rentals is a temporary permit, and does not 'run with the land'.
Short Term Rentals of single family units are allowed by way of a two-step process. You first must seek approval of a Special Exemption from the Board of Adjustment. Next, you must apply for a Short Term Rental Permit from the Planning and Zoning Division. The limitations for a residence to be eligible for consideration include:
- The property must be a minimum of one acre in size
- The building standards of the underlying zone district must be met
- Adequate parking is provided
- Defensible Space requirements are met
- Valid water and sanitation must be demonstrated
- No more than five bedrooms are in the dwelling.
All Short Term Rentals must first go to the Board of Adjustment for Special Exception Approval before applying for a Short Term Rental Permit. Section 4.D.2.f
If the Short Term Rental is approved by the Board of Adjustment, the permit must be renewed 6 months after with the Board of Adjustment and then annually after that.
You will need to provide Section 2.D.4 of the Zoning Resolution to acquire a Short Term Rental Permit.