Boulder stories

Renting Your Boulder Home During Sundance: The License, Explained

Updated September 2026

With Sundance coming to Boulder, plenty of residents are wondering whether they can rent out a spare room—or their whole home—during the festival. The short answer is yes, but Boulder has a licensing process you'll want to understand well before guests arrive. Here's a plain-English overview of how it generally works.

Boulder's Short-Term Rental License

Boulder requires anyone hosting paying guests for fewer than 30 consecutive nights to hold a Short-Term Rental (STR) license issued by the city. The license is tied to the property and, importantly, to the concept of *owner-occupancy*—meaning the home is typically your primary residence, not an investment property you're renting out remotely.

Applications are handled through the City of Boulder's licensing portal, and the process generally involves:

Confirming the property is your primary residence
Passing a basic life-safety inspection (smoke detectors, egress, etc.)
Paying an application fee (the city sets this; check Boulder's STR licensing page for current amounts)
Displaying your license number on any listing platform you use

Processing times can vary, so if you're targeting the January 2027 festival window, applying several months in advance is a smart move.

The 2026 Tenant Subleasing Provision

A notable update to Boulder's STR rules—introduced through a 2026 ordinance—extended short-term rental rights to eligible tenants, not just homeowners. Under this provision, qualifying renters may be able to sublease their unit as a short-term rental, subject to conditions that typically include landlord notification or consent requirements and proof of primary residency.

Caveat: The specific conditions of the 2026 ordinance are best confirmed directly with the City of Boulder, as implementation details can evolve. This article is an overview, not legal advice.

If you're a renter, review your lease carefully and speak with your landlord before applying—some lease agreements may have their own restrictions that exist independently of city rules.

The City's Referral Listing Option

Boulder has explored a city-affiliated lodging referral program to help connect licensed STR hosts with visitors during high-demand events. If such a program is active for the 2027 festival, it could give your listing added visibility alongside traditional platforms. Watch the City of Boulder website for announcements—details specific to Sundance 2027 have not yet been confirmed.

What It Typically Costs to Get Started

Beyond the city license fee (which is set periodically and should be verified directly with the city), hosts generally budget for:

Platform fees on booking sites (typically a percentage of each reservation)
Additional insurance: your standard homeowner's or renter's policy may not cover short-term rental activity, so a separate STR rider or policy is worth pricing out
Preparation costs: small safety upgrades, extra linens, a lockbox, etc.

Revenue potential during a major festival can be meaningful, but actual nightly rates depend on your location, home size, and how early you list.

Where to Get the Official Word

Because fees, rules, and programs change, always go to the source:

City of Boulder STR Licensing — applications, requirements, and current fees
Boulder's Planning & Development Services — for zoning questions
A local attorney or tax professional for lease and income-tax questions

Getting licensed early, understanding the tenant provisions if they apply to you, and keeping an eye on any festival-specific city programs will put you in the best position to host Sundance visitors—legally and confidently.