As of Jan. 1, it is the law in Denver for any residential rental property offered for rent for 30 days or more to have a residential rental license. The licensing program is part of Denver’s drive to achieve minimum housing standards.

Unlicensed properties are illegal and subject to potential enforcement action, including fines and citations.

If you are a landlord offering any number of units for rent for 30 days or more and have not started the process to get licensed, you are violating Denver law and need to get into compliance immediately.

The 50% reduction in the application fee for early applicants is no longer in effect. The one-time application fee now costs $50. The licensing fee varies based on the number of units being licensed. The license is good for four years before it needs to be renewed unless there is a change in ownership.

The property must pass an inspection by a qualified, third-party inspector. Be sure to review the inspector checklist, inspector list, and application requirements for general information. There is also a substantial frequently asked questions section and a video of an overview of the program on our website. After applying for a license, you can check the status of your application here.

Share this message with any rental property owners/managers and encourage them to sign up for the residential rental property informational bulletin to receive news and updates about the program as they become available. Previous updates sent in informational bulletins are available on our website.

The Department of Excise and Licenses is now on LinkedIn to reach more Denver businesses, consumers, and stakeholders that are impacted by regulations. The page provides newsworthy Denver business information, including licensing trends, updates about changes to regulations, alerts about new programs to support businesses, and opportunities for the community to participate in the licensing approval process. Check out the page and give us a follow.

If you have questions or comments, email [email protected].