Empire, Colorado

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Clear Creek County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: Required
County-level data: No city-specific ordinance found. Showing regulations for Clear Creek County which apply to this area.
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/17/2026
120Annual Cap

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredYes

Limits & Restrictions

Max Nights Per Year120
Density / Distance CapNo more than 4.5% of total residences; 163 permits available for 2026 for Non-Primary Resident STR licenses
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • Auxiliary Living Spaces (accessory dwelling units) cannot be rented per Guideline 2016-1; other structures such as yurts, tents, RVs, campers not permitted as STRs

Official Sources

Data confidence: 88%Last updated: June 17, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Empire, Colorado

Empire, Colorado has no separate city ordinance, so Clear Creek County rules apply — under which short-term rentals are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Empire, Colorado?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Empire, Colorado.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Empire?

A short-term rental permit is required.

Are there stay limits for short-term rentals in Empire?

Yes — Empire sets a cap of 120 rental nights per year.

Where do these Empire short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Empire's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Empire, Clear Creek County, or Colorado authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.