Affordable workforce housing has become a significant issue in Silverthorne, Colorado, particularly in recent years and worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, which contributed to workforce shortages. This challenge has sparked discussions about preserving the town's character and prompted the Town of Silverthorne to update its short-term rental regulations to address the growing loss of housing for local workers.
Tourism is a key part of Silverthorne’s economy, with short-term rentals being an important option for visitors. Unlike larger resort towns, Silverthorne offers a more intimate mountain community, with short-term rentals playing a crucial role in lodging. However, the increasing need for workforce housing has led officials to adjust the town's rental rules to ensure a balance between supporting tourism and providing housing for residents. These changes align with a broader trend in Summit County’s management of short-term rentals.
The towns of Blue River, Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne each have clearly defined boundaries, and their short-term rental (STR) regulations apply only to properties within their respective limits. However, many homes near these towns are actually located in unincorporated Summit County, where STR rules can vary significantly depending on the property's exact location. Because of this, it's crucial to determine which local government oversees a specific property before proceeding with short-term rental plans.
How to Check a Property’s Jurisdiction
If you're unsure whether a property falls within a town’s limits or is part of unincorporated Summit County, you can easily verify it using the Summit County GIS tool:
Visit the Summit County GIS website.
Accept the County disclaimer.
Enter the property address in the search bar.
When the property details appear, look at the bottom-left corner of the page under "Jurisdiction."
This section will confirm whether the property follows the STR rules of Blue River, Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, or Silverthorne, or if it is instead governed by unincorporated Summit County regulations.
Understanding the correct jurisdiction ensures compliance with the appropriate STR rules and avoids potential legal issues.
Any Silverthorne Property Rental Less Than 30 Days
As of February 8, 2024, Keystone became a newly incorporated municipality, no longer under Summit County's jurisdiction. Therefore, the Town of Keystone's regulations apply. On June 25, 2024, the Keystone Town Council passed Ordinance 2024-O-07, which outlines the town’s Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations.
Section C(e) of the ordinance defines a short-term rental in Keystone as the rental of any dwelling, accessory dwelling unit, or part of a dwelling for less than 30 days. The ordinance emphasizes that short-term rentals are considered an accessory use to the primary function of the property. This applies to property owners who use platforms like Airbnb or VRBO to rent their homes to visitors for periods shorter than 30 days. If you rent your Keystone property for any period under 30 consecutive days, you are required to obtain a short-term rental license from the Town of Keystone. The Town has 30 days to decide on your application, per Section D(5). Once approved, all relevant short-term rental rules must be followed.
However, if you only plan to rent your property for 30 days or more, this ordinance does not apply. Long-term rentals, generally defined as those lasting 30 days or more, are not subject to short-term rental licensing. In fact, long-term rentals are encouraged to help address local housing needs, with incentives offered by Summit County and Breckenridge for leasing to local workers. No new regulations are currently planned for rentals over 30 days.
In October 2018, Silverthorne adopted regulations requiring property owners to obtain a short-term rental (STR) license. Owners must submit a short-term rental license application and renew it annually. For properties within a duplex, the application must include a notice provided to the adjacent unit owner. Property owners must also sign Good Neighbor Guidelines and submit an affidavit certifying compliance with health and safety standards outlined in the ordinance. These standards include ensuring smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are functional, structural components are capable of handling regular loads, and electrical panels are clearly labeled.
The Silverthorne STR ordinance established the role of a Responsible Agent, defined as an individual available to address any issues 24/7. The Responsible Agent must resolve complaints within 60 minutes, or within 30 minutes between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM. The property owner can appoint an Alternate Responsible Agent if the primary agent is unreachable.
Silverthorne short-term rental occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom, plus two additional guests. The number of bedrooms is based on the Summit County GIS Parcel Query Tool.
In January 2022, Silverthorne introduced a per-bedroom fee schedule for STR licenses:
Studio: $150/year
1 Bedroom: $200/year
2 Bedrooms: $250/year
3 Bedrooms: $300/year
4 Bedrooms: $350/year
5 Bedrooms: $450/year
6 or more Bedrooms: $500/year
In April 2022, Silverthorne voters approved raising the excise tax rate on STR stays from 2% to 6%, the first increase since 1998.
There is no current moratorium on STR licenses, though the Town has released a map showing license holders and conducted a community survey. STR licenses expire annually on November 30, and owners must submit renewal applications.
In January 2023, Silverthorne passed Ordinance 2022-25, capping the number of STR licenses in three zones:
Zone 1: Capped at 10% of total residential units.
Zone 2: Capped at 50% of total residential units.
Zone 3: No STR licenses are issued, as it covers workforce housing areas with deed restrictions.
The total number of STR licenses in Silverthorne is capped at around 740, representing nearly 20% of the town's approved residential units. As of February 2025, 416 licenses have been issued, with available licenses remaining in both Zone 1 and Zone 2.
There are currently no restrictions on the number of rental nights for STRs in Silverthorne, allowing owners to book an unlimited number of rental days each year.
For those interested in investing in Silverthorne real estate for short-term rentals, it’s essential to stay updated on these new regulations to make informed choices and maximize your investment in the market.
Whether working with buyers or sellers, Ivete Liliensteins provides outstanding professionalism in making her clients’ real estate dreams a reality. Contact her today to start your home searching journey!