The Larimer County Board of County Commissioners and the Estes Park Board of Trustees have amended the Estes Valley Development Code to require all Estes Valley vacation home rentals and bed and breakfast inns (B&B) to obtain an annual operating permit to further protect the character of residential neighborhoods. A business license will serve as the permit for properties within Estes Park Town limits. However, a separate annual operating permit is required for all vacation home rentals and B&Bs in the unincorporated county area of the Estes Valley, excluding those which are zoned "A" Accommodation.

There is no cost for the annual operating permits, which must be obtained by July 30, 2010, from the Town of Estes Park Town Clerk`s office. Properties operating as a vacation home rental or B&B without a permit will be in violation of the Estes Valley Development Code. More information will be mailed to homeowners associations in the unincorporated Estes Valley and to all property managers licensed with the town.

The permit process will assist in bringing vacation home rentals and B&Bs into compliance with applicable regulations. Since 2004, Estes Valley vacation home rentals and B&Bs have been subject to regulations, which are intended to protect the residential character of neighborhoods where these commercial operations also exist. These regulations include maximum occupancy and number of parties, appearance, signage and parking. The covenants of homeowners associations may be more restrictive and even prohibit vacation rentals. For more information on applicable regulations, please contact the Town of Estes Park Community Development Department at 970-577-3720.

Accommodation rentals of 30 or fewer days are subject to sales taxes. The permit process for vacation home rentals and B&Bs in residential neighborhoods will assist in the collection of the appropriate taxes, which may include state, county, town and local marketing district taxes.