Short-term rentals in Aspen and Snowmass Village

Aspen and Snowmass Village share one valley and one visitor base, yet they are separate towns with separate rulebooks. Four ski mountains drive the winter; in summer, music and ideas festivals, hiking around the Maroon Bells and road cycling have built a second season. Guests are exacting and book early, so what works here is a well-finished condo or home with reliable heating, ski storage and someone local who answers. Spring and late autumn are quiet, and many businesses close.

Aspen: permit types, capped zones and a dedicated tax

Colorado leaves short-term rental policy to local government, and Aspen uses that freedom fully. Every stay of fewer than 30 days needs a city permit and a business license, and the permit number must appear in listings; platforms must now remove non-compliant ads. Permits come in several types, including owner-occupied, lodge-exempt and "classic" permits for second homes and investment properties, and classic permits are capped in certain zone districts. A 2025 update lightened renewals and added a temporary permit that lets a buyer honor bookings the seller had already taken.

In November 2022 Aspen voters approved a short-term rental excise tax, in effect since May 2023, with a higher rate for classic permits than for owner-occupied and lodge-exempt units. It comes on top of sales and lodging taxes, and the city collects its own taxes directly.

Snowmass Village: four permit types and minimum stays

Snowmass Village requires a business license and a short-term rental permit before any listing goes live. Permits fall into four types, from hotels to single-family homes and duplexes, and those last two carry a four-night minimum stay. A local representative must be reachable around the clock and able to reach the property within an hour. Town sales and lodging taxes are filed monthly through the town portal, zero months included, and according to a May 2026 local guide, the major platforms no longer remit these town taxes for hosts. Accessory units cannot be rented short-term.

Our advice

In this valley the building often matters as much as the town. Many Snowmass complexes and Aspen condominium associations have their own rental rules, sometimes stricter than municipal ones, so read the declarations before an offer. In Aspen, confirm the zone district and whether a classic permit is realistically obtainable before paying a premium, and never assume the seller's permit follows the sale. Build the excise tax into your nightly pricing instead of absorbing it. We study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.