🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Snowmass, CO
Snowmass Tightens STR Rules: Higher Permit Fees and Stronger Enforcement Ahead
Snowmass Finalizes STR Rule Changes as Housing Pressures Persist
Snowmass Village officially approved a new set of short-term rental regulations earlier this month, signaling a more structured and slightly more expensive future for STR owners in the resort community. The Snowmass Town Council voted Monday to adopt the ordinance, with the changes scheduled to take effect on Dec. 30, 15 days after passage.
At the center of the update is an increase in the annual short-term rental permit fee. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, STR owners will pay $400 per year, up from the current $300. The town did not change the $85 business license fee required to operate a short-term rental. Short-term rentals in Snowmass are defined as hotels, multi-family dwellings, homes, or units rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
Another major shift is the creation of a standardized permit expiration date. Under the new rules, all short-term rental permits will expire annually on April 30. Town staff said the move is designed to simplify renewals and improve internal efficiency.
“A standardized expiration date will streamline the permitting process, improve internal operations, and create a more straightforward renewal timeline for property managers and the lodging community,” staff wrote in the council’s agenda materials.
To bridge the transition, the town approved prorated renewal fees for permit holders renewing between January and March 2026. Those renewing for one, two, or three months will pay $33.33, $66.66, or $100, respectively. Starting in April 2026, the full $400 renewal fee will apply and remain valid through April 30, 2027, with annual renewals required at the same time each year going forward.
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Town officials also strengthened enforcement provisions related to guest behavior. Council voted to classify trespassing on private property as a major violation of the town code, following community concerns that short-term rental guests were crossing neighboring properties to access the ski resort.
Under the updated code, a first major violation could result in the loss of an STR permit and/or business license for up to two years, along with fines of up to $1,000. A second major violation could lead to permit or license loss for up to five years, plus additional fines.
These changes followed months of discussion about how to manage the scale of short-term rentals in Snowmass. In July, council members explored strategies to discourage STR growth amid a housing shortage, with 290 people on the waiting list for town rentals. At that time, Snowmass had 1,698 active short-term rental permits, including hotels, condos, duplexes, and single-family homes.
While the council considered options such as lodging tax increases, vacancy taxes, and steeper STR fees, it ultimately settled on the $100 permit fee increase. Town staff estimated the change will generate about $100,000 in additional annual revenue.
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