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 La Plata 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.
The state of Colorado has several compliance requirements for all vacation rentals including lodgers and sales tax which the Colorado Department of Revenue collects. In order to operate a Short Term Rental you must:
- Maintain a state sales tax license through the Colorado Department of Revenue.
- Post the lodging and sales tax rates that will be remitted through the Colorado Department of Revenue: La Plata County's lodging tax rate is 1.9%; the sales tax rate is 2%.
- Remit required sales tax and lodgers' tax to the Colorado Department of Revenue.
- Additionally, La Plata County recommends Short Term Rentals post state sales tax license number both at the residence and in all rental advertising.
You can visit the Department of Revenue's page on short term rentals for more information on sales and lodgers tax requirements.
Please be sure your rental policy includes the following, and is posted clearly at the residence in order to prepare your guests to be good neighbors during their stay in your rental.
- Management: A responsible person must be reachable by phone and available to resolve a problem at home within 30 minutes, 24 hours a day. Provide management contact information to guests and to immediate neighbors.
- Special events: Conferences, seminars, wedding ceremonies, etc., with 50 or more people in attendance require a separate event permit from La Plata County.
- Occupancy: Establish maximum number of occupants in your rental agreement. Industry standards are two people per bedroom, plus one additional person. For example, a two-bedroom unit could have five guests.
- Directions: Provide guests with written driving directions and contact information for assistance with locating the property. Neighbors are not to be disturbed if guests are lost.
- Parking: Identify the maximum number of vehicles allowed on the property, depending upon garage space, driveway capacity, and on-street parking availability. Parking policies should include speed limits and other road-related protocols. Motor homes, campers, and trailers should be prohibited by the rental agreement unless adequate on-site parking is available.
- Fire safety: Articulate limitations on smoking, grills, and outdoor fires.
- Pets: Be sure your pet policies conform to county regulations and neighborhood rules, including leash laws and cleaning up pet waste.
- Garbage: Let your guests know how garbage - including cigarette butts if smoking is allowed on the property - and recyclable material shall be disposed.