Can You Short-Term Rent a Cabin in Park County? What Ordinance 2026-001 Requires
If you're considering a cabin in unincorporated Park County as a short-term rental, the rules changed in 2026.
Park County's revised Short-Term Rental Ordinance 2026-001 took effect July 19, 2026. The ordinance requires a valid STR license before a property can be rented or advertised for stays of 30 days or fewer.
What Buyers Need to Know
The License Does Not Transfer
An STR license expires one year after issuance or when the property changes ownership, whichever comes first.
If you buy a licensed STR, you must submit your own application and obtain a new license.
Not Every Property Qualifies
The ordinance does not allow STR licenses for:
Condominiums
Apartments
Apartment units with shared walls
Units that do not own the surrounding land
HOA restrictions also matter. If an HOA prohibits short-term rentals, Park County will not issue the STR license.
Your Septic System Can Limit Occupancy
This is one of the most important changes for cabin buyers.
Park County limits overnight STR occupancy to the design capacity of the property's on-site wastewater system and associated Soil Treatment Area. The maximum occupancy must appear on the STR license.
So don't assume the number of bedrooms automatically determines how many guests you can accommodate.
You'll Need a Local Responsible Agent
Each licensed STR must have a responsible agent who can respond to the property within one hour. The owner can serve as the agent if they can meet that response requirement.
The County also requires items such as a parking plan, snow-removal plan, trash plan, floor plans, and applicable septic documentation as part of the licensing process.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
If you're evaluating a cabin as a rental investment, start with:
Is the property in unincorporated Park County?
Does the property qualify for an STR license?
Does the HOA allow short-term rentals?
What is the permitted septic capacity?
What occupancy would the license allow?
Who will handle the required one-hour response?
What are the current licensing fees and requirements?
Park County maintains the current STR application requirements and checklist, including required documentation and application information.
A Park County cabin may have STR potential, but don't underwrite the rental income before confirming the license path.
Check the property, septic system, HOA documents, access, and current County requirements first.
The right cabin isn't just one with rental potential.
It's one where the numbers and the rules both work.
Have a Park County cabin in mind?
Send us the parcel number and we'll help you identify the questions to ask before you make an offer.
This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed for accuracy before publication. Regulations, licensing requirements, fees, and property-specific eligibility should be verified with Park County before making a purchase or rental decision.
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