Denver metro skyline near Westminster, Colorado
Colorado STR Markets · Denver Metro · Adams & Jefferson Counties

Westminster STR Investing

Between Denver & Boulder · US-36 · Standley Lake · Downtown Westminster

Westminster has licensed short-term rentals since January 2024 and doesn't require you to live in the home. It does hold every operator to one STR in the city, which changes who it works for.

By , licensed Colorado broker (license IR.100066325) · Published · Updated

See the Portfolio
Investor License
Allowed
No residency requirement
Per-Operator Limit
1 STR
In the city at a time
4BR Asking Rate
$296–$408
Middle half, next 12 months
Occupancy
About 62%
4–6BR market, past 12 months

Rates and occupancy: PriceLabs market data for 177 comparable four-bedroom listings in Westminster (occupancy across 4–6 bedroom homes), pulled October 24, 2026. Rates are current asking prices for the next 12 months, not booked rates. Occupancy covers October 2025 to September 2026.

Key takeaways

  • Westminster has licensed STRs since January 1, 2024, and the owner doesn't have to live there. You need a city STR license, a business and sales tax license, and accommodations tax.
  • No applicant may operate more than one STR in the city at a time, so Westminster fits a buyer who wants one rental, not a portfolio.
  • Guests are capped at 8, not counting children under 13, with one party per booking and no events. The city doesn't say a license carries over to a new owner.
  • Demand comes from family visits, events and the Boulder corridor. Covest checks whether you already operate a city STR, HOA rules and whether the address is inside city limits.
Is an Airbnb Legal in Westminster?

Yes. One Per Operator.

Westminster's STR ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 11-17) took effect January 1, 2024. Anyone offering lodging for under 30 days in a residential property needs a city STR license, plus a business and sales tax license, and has to remit the city's accommodations tax. The code asks for an owner of record, not an owner-occupant, so an investment home qualifies.

The rule that shapes the market is simple: no applicant may operate more than one STR in the city at a time. That keeps out portfolio operators and makes Westminster a fit for a buyer who wants one solid rental between Denver and Boulder, not five.

The license itself is cheap. The first application carries no registration fee and runs two years, and renewal is $200 plus a processing fee.

The Rulebook

Westminster STR Rules,
Line by Line.

What the city asks for and where the limits sit.

STR license
City STR license plus a business and sales tax license; accommodations tax applies. Application needs a narrative or visuals of the rented space, the recorded deed and a signed life-safety affidavit.
Required
Primary residence
Not required. The applicant has to be the owner of record.
Investor OK
One per operator
No applicant may operate more than one licensed STR in the city at any one time.
Limit: 1
Fees and term
First application has no registration fee and lasts two years. Renewal is $200 plus a processing fee.
Low cost
Guests and events
Occupancy is capped at 8, not counting children under 13. One party per booking, no events.
Max 8
Eligible homes
A permanent legal dwelling unit. RVs, trailers and detached accessory structures don't qualify.
Check
On a sale
The city doesn't say a license carries over to a new owner. Plan on applying in your own name before you list.
Apply fresh
Summarized from the City of Westminster STR page and the city-posted code language for Chapter 11-17, checked October 2026. Confirm with the city before you buy.
Market Numbers

What Westminster STRs
Are Asking.

Across 177 comparable four-bedroom listings, the middle half of asking rates for the next 12 months runs $296 to $408 a night. Five-bedroom homes (139 comps) ask $367 to $492. These are asking prices, not booked rates.

Occupancy across four- to six-bedroom homes averaged about 62% from October 2025 to September 2026, peaking at 78% in July and bottoming near 50% in January. The winter dip is mild for Colorado, because demand here is people visiting family, events and the Boulder corridor rather than ski weekends.

Because you only get one license, the house you pick carries the whole plan. I'd rather spend the time on that choice up front.

Before Any Offer

What I Check in Westminster

With one license per operator, there's no averaging out a weak property. These decide it.

  • Whether you or a related entity already operates an STR in the city.
  • Bedroom count and layout against the 8-guest cap, so you're not paying for capacity you can't rent.
  • HOA rules, which are common in Westminster subdivisions and can override the city.
  • Whether the address is actually inside Westminster city limits. Parts of the area carry a Westminster mailing address but sit in unincorporated Adams or Jefferson County, under different rules.

Weighing a Westminster house?

Send me the address. I'll confirm the jurisdiction and license path and tell you what it should realistically book.

Send Me an Address
Westminster STR FAQ

Questions Investors Ask Us

Q.Are short-term rentals legal in Westminster, Colorado?
Yes. Since January 1, 2024 Westminster has licensed STRs in residential properties. You need a city STR license, a business and sales tax license, and you remit accommodations tax.
Q.Do you have to live in a Westminster STR?
No. The city's code requires the applicant to be the owner of record, not to live in the home, so a non-owner-occupied investment property can be licensed.
Q.How many STRs can you own in Westminster?
One at a time. No applicant may operate more than one short-term rental within the city at any one time.
Q.How much is a Westminster STR license?
The first application has no registration fee and lasts two years. Renewal is $200 plus a processing fee.
Q.How many guests can a Westminster STR host?
Up to 8, not counting children under 13, with one party per booking and no events.

Sources

Covest LLC is a licensed Colorado real estate brokerage. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice, and rules change. Confirm current requirements with the City of Westminster before you buy.

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Ready When You Are

Let's Find Your Westminster STR With Covest.

One license, one house. Let's make sure it's the right one.

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