Breckenridge Short-Term Rental Rules
In Breckenridge, your zone decides whether a new short-term rental license is available. Here's how the Town's system works.
Last verified: November 3, 2026. Availability figures are from the Town's July 2026 update.
Availability by Zone
| Zone | Current licenses | Licenses allowed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resort Properties | 1,711 | No cap listed | No waitlist |
| Zone 1 (Tourism) | 1,221 | 1,680 | 467 available No waitlist |
| Zone 2 (Downtown core) | 130 | 130 | Waitlist No licenses available |
| Zone 3 (Residential) | 1,002 | 390 | Waitlist No licenses available |
Zone 3 has more active licenses than its cap because licenses that already existed when the Town adopted its caps were allowed to continue. Those existing licenses can end through a sale or a missed renewal, but new applicants still have to wait for an opening. The Town says its lists are static, so confirm availability directly.
What Buyers Should Know
- Find the zone first. Search the address, subdivision or schedule number on the Town's map.
- Plan to reapply after a sale. Licenses are non-transferable and non-refundable if the property sells. In a full zone, a buyer may need to join the waitlist.
- Check whether the Town regulates the property. Some homes with a Breckenridge address are outside town limits, where Summit County rules apply instead.
- Review the HOA. Associations may have their own requirements, restrictions and covenants.
- Get licensed however you market it. The requirement applies whether you use a management company, Airbnb, Vrbo, newspaper ads or word of mouth.
- Show the license number. It must appear in all advertising for the property.
Fees and Taxes
A Breckenridge license includes the business and occupational license tax plus a regulatory fee of $756 per studio or bedroom each year. The Town uses that fee for housing programs and for managing the effects of short-term rentals.
Owners must collect and remit local and state taxes. Airbnb and Vrbo have an agreement with the Town to collect and remit on behalf of license holders, but owners still need a valid license. Check how taxes are handled for direct bookings or any other channel you use.
Official Town Resources
- License overview and fees
- Availability and waitlists
- Interactive zone map
- Apply or join a waitlist
- History of caps and zones
- Sales and accommodation tax
- Town FAQs
Town STR office: 970-547-3101 or str@townofbreckenridge.com
Back to the Short-Term Rental Guide
Looking at a Breckenridge Property?
Send us the address and we'll help you check its zone, availability and HOA rules before you make an offer.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Short-term rental rules, caps and fees change, and HOA covenants can be stricter than local law. Confirm the rules for a specific property with the licensing office, and with your attorney or tax advisor, before you buy or book guests.