Updated September 2026
If you own a rental property in Denver, there's an important requirement you need to know about:
Your rental property generally needs to be licensed with the City and County of Denver.
And yes, that includes many owners with only one rental home.
Denver's Residential Rental Program requires owners or property managers of residential properties rented or offered for rent for 30 days or more to obtain a residential rental property license. The program covers single-family homes, condos, townhomes, rowhomes, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, apartments, and other qualifying residential rental properties.
For multi-unit properties, licensing became mandatory beginning January 1, 2023. The requirement expanded to single-unit rental properties on January 1, 2024.
So if you're thinking about turning your Denver home into a rental, purchasing an investment property, or already operating a rental in the city, licensing needs to be part of your plan.
Fortunately, the process is fairly straightforward once you understand it.
Here's what Denver rental property owners need to know in 2026.
What Is Denver's Residential Rental Program?
Denver's Residential Rental Program, sometimes referred to as the RRP, was created to help enforce minimum housing standards for residential rental properties.
The program requires qualifying rental properties to obtain a license from the city in order to be offered or operated as residential rentals.
One of the primary components of the licensing process is a property inspection designed to verify compliance with a set of critical residential health and safety standards.
The city's inspection checklist is based primarily on Denver's Residential Health Rules and Regulations, along with certain provisions of the Denver Revised Municipal Code. Importantly, passing the rental inspection doesn't mean a property is exempt from other applicable building, fire, housing, or zoning requirements.
In practical terms:
Denver wants residential rental properties to meet minimum health and safety standards before they're licensed for rental use.
Does My Denver Rental Property Need a License?
For most traditional residential rentals in Denver, the answer is yes.
Denver defines a residential rental property for this program as a building, structure, or accessory dwelling unit rented or offered for rent as a residence for 30 days or more at a time.
That includes property types such as:
- Single-family homes
- Condominiums
- Townhomes
- Rowhomes
- Duplexes
- Triplexes and multiplexes
- Apartment buildings
- Accessory dwelling units
- Mobile and manufactured homes
There are exclusions and special circumstances, so owners with unusual property types or rental arrangements should verify their requirements directly with the city.
But if you own a typical Denver house, condo, or townhouse and plan to rent it to a tenant on a traditional lease, you should expect the residential rental licensing requirement to apply.
Does the License Requirement Apply If I Only Own One Rental?
This is one of the most important points for accidental or first-time landlords.
You don't need to own an apartment complex.
You don't need a large real estate portfolio.
You don't need to consider yourself a professional landlord.
If you're moving out of your Denver house and renting it to someone else, that single home can be subject to Denver's licensing requirement.
Denver phased the program in over several years.
Properties with more than one rental unit at a single location were required to apply beginning January 1, 2023.
Single-unit rentals followed beginning January 1, 2024.
So the homeowner who moves to another state and decides to rent out their Denver bungalow is part of this program too.
If that describes you, our guide to selling vs. renting your Denver home when you move can help you think through the larger decision before becoming a landlord.
What If I'm Renting the Property to a Friend or Family Member?
Don't assume an informal arrangement automatically avoids the licensing requirement.
Denver's program defines rent broadly enough to include receiving money, services, or other remuneration in exchange for someone occupying the property.
The city's guidance specifically notes that if someone contributes toward things such as the owner's mortgage, property taxes, or HOA fees, that can constitute a benefit to the owner and therefore be considered rent for purposes of the program.
If someone is occupying your property under an unusual arrangement, verify your specific situation with the city or qualified legal counsel rather than assuming the license doesn't apply.
Is This the Same as a Denver Short-Term Rental License?
No.
This article is discussing Denver's Residential Rental Property license, which applies to qualifying properties rented for periods of 30 days or more at a time.
Short-term rentals operate under a different licensing framework.
So if you're considering a traditional 12-month lease, you're looking at the Residential Rental Program.
If you're considering short-term stays, you'll need to research Denver's separate short-term rental requirements.
How Do I Get a Denver Rental Property License?
For a typical Denver rental property, the process can be thought of in a few major steps:
- Determine that the property is subject to licensing.
- Prepare the property for inspection.
- Have the property inspected by a qualified third-party inspector.
- Correct any noncompliant items if necessary.
- Submit the required licensing application and documentation to Denver.
- Pay the applicable city fees.
- Receive and maintain the residential rental property license.
Let's look at the inspection portion more closely, because that's where many owners have the most questions.
What Is the Denver Rental Property Inspection?
Denver's licensing inspection isn't exactly the same thing as the home inspection you may have received when you purchased your house.
Its purpose is more specific.
The inspection evaluates the property against Denver's Residential Rental Program checklist, which focuses on critical health and safety requirements.
The city uses a compliant/noncompliant format for the checklist.
If the inspected property satisfies the applicable checklist requirements, the inspector documents that compliance.
If something doesn't comply, the issue is identified so the property owner can address it.
This means a failed initial inspection isn't necessarily the end of the process.
It means something needs attention.
What Does the Denver Rental Inspection Look For?
Denver's official checklist contains the requirements inspectors use when evaluating rental properties.
Depending on the property, the inspection can involve areas related to things such as:
- Electrical systems and safety
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Lighting
- Emergency egress
- Fire and life-safety conditions
- Structural or property conditions
- Sanitation
- Other applicable residential health and safety requirements
The exact requirements matter more than a simplified online checklist, which is why owners should review the city's current Residential Rental Program checklist when preparing a property for inspection.
Denver Residential Rental Program Checklist & Guidebook
The goal shouldn't be to memorize every inspection item.
It should be to make sure the home you're about to rent is safe, functional, and prepared for someone to live in it.
What Happens If My Rental Fails the Inspection?
Don't panic.
If an inspector identifies a noncompliant item, the owner or property manager is responsible for bringing it into compliance.
Denver's guidance allows for a reinspection process in which corrected items can be evaluated again. Depending on the issue, repairs involving structural, electrical, mechanical, roofing, or plumbing systems may also require permits and appropriately licensed contractors.
This is one reason we recommend preparing for the inspection rather than treating it as an afterthought.
If you know the property needs maintenance, deal with obvious problems before the inspection whenever possible.
Don't Miss Denver's 90-Day Inspection Timeline
This is a detail Denver rental owners should pay attention to.
Under the city's current guidance, if more than 90 days pass between the initial inspection and the license application, that original inspection becomes invalid and a new full inspection is required.
Denver's guide also explains that an owner may submit a license application with a noncompliant inspection checklist within that initial 90-day period. The owner then has one year from the application date to submit a passing inspection or reinspection form.
In other words:
Don't schedule the inspection and then forget about the application for six months.
Keep the licensing process moving.
What About Multi-Unit Rental Properties?
Owners of multi-unit properties have somewhat different inspection logistics.
Denver requires a minimum portion of units in a multi-unit property to be inspected, with units selected at random rather than simply allowing the owner to choose the best-looking units.
Current rules require at least 10% of the dwelling units, or at least one unit when the property contains fewer than ten units, to be inspected.
There are additional rules for certain units and building systems, so owners of larger multifamily properties should review the city's complete inspection guide rather than relying on the requirements for a single-family rental.
Thinking About Turning Your Denver Home Into a Rental?
Licensing is only one part of the process.
There's also rental pricing, property preparation, marketing, tenant screening, leasing, maintenance, rent collection, and ongoing management.
We provide:
Boutique, hands-on Denver property management built around stewardship + hospitality.
Tell us about your property, when you're considering renting it, and where you are in the process.
How Long Does a Denver Rental Property License Last?
Denver residential rental property licenses have a four-year term.
Under the ordinance, a license expires four years after issuance or when ownership of the licensed property changes from the owner listed on the license.
That ownership provision is important.
A rental license doesn't simply stay attached to the property forever regardless of who owns it.
If ownership changes, the licensing situation needs to be addressed accordingly.
And because licenses are now reaching their first renewal cycles, owners who obtained licenses during the early years of the program should begin paying particular attention to expiration dates. Current renewal guidance indicates that another qualifying third-party inspection is part of the renewal process.
How Much Does a Denver Rental Property License Cost?
There are a few different costs to consider.
First is the inspection, which is performed by a qualified third-party inspector rather than the city itself. Because inspectors are independent providers, inspection pricing can vary.
Then there are city licensing and application fees.
Denver's fee structure has historically varied based on the number of units being licensed, so rather than relying on an old blog post or screenshot for the exact amount, owners should verify the current fee schedule with the City and County of Denver when they're ready to apply.
This is particularly important because fee schedules can change while an article like this remains online for years.
The larger point is:
Budget for both the third-party inspection and the city licensing process.
And if you're trying to understand the larger cost of professionally operating the rental, our guide to Denver property management fees and costs breaks down the management side of the equation.
Are Any Rental Properties Exempt From the Inspection?
There are some circumstances in which the usual initial inspection requirement may not apply.
For example, Denver's ordinance provides an initial-inspection exemption for certain newly constructed rental properties when the application is submitted within four years of the property's certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy. That exemption does not broadly apply simply because an older structure recently received a new certificate of occupancy.
Other circumstances may also require different documentation or treatment.
If you believe your property qualifies for an exemption, confirm it directly with the city rather than skipping the inspection based on an assumption.
What Happens If I Operate a Denver Rental Without a License?
If your Denver rental is subject to the licensing requirement, operating it without the required license can expose you to city enforcement.
Denver's licensing requirement isn't voluntary.
All qualifying residential rental properties were brought under the program by January 1, 2024.
If you already have a tenant and realize you haven't completed the licensing process, don't ignore it.
Start figuring out what you need to do to bring the property into compliance.
Does Passing the Rental Inspection Mean My Property Meets Every Denver Requirement?
Not necessarily.
This distinction is important.
Denver explicitly states that although rental inspections cover items on the Residential Rental Program checklist, all properties remain subject to applicable building, fire, housing, and other requirements.
Passing the RRP inspection doesn't create blanket certification that the property complies with every possible city code.
Think of the rental inspection as one important component of operating a compliant rental property, not a substitute for every other owner responsibility.
Rental Licensing Is Only One Landlord Responsibility
Getting the license is important.
But it isn't the finish line.
Owning a rental property also involves responsibilities related to areas such as:
- Property condition and habitability
- Lease administration
- Fair housing
- Tenant screening
- Security deposits
- Required notices
- Maintenance
- Recordkeeping
- Local and state landlord-tenant requirements
Colorado's rental laws have also changed significantly in recent years, which makes it important for landlords and property managers to keep current rather than assuming the rules are the same as they were when they first became landlords.
A rental license is one piece of a much larger operational picture.
If you're deciding whether you want to handle those responsibilities yourself, our guide to self-managing vs. hiring a Denver property manager breaks down what self-management actually involves.
And if you're trying to understand what you would be handing off by hiring someone, read what a Denver property management company actually does for landlords.
What If I Own a Denver Rental but Live Outside Colorado?
You can own Denver rental property while living somewhere else.
But distance makes organization even more important.
Someone still needs to coordinate:
Inspection.
Repairs.
Licensing.
Tenant communication.
Maintenance.
Leasing.
Vendors.
Turnover.
And everything else happening physically at the property.
This is where a local property manager can become particularly valuable.
If you're considering leaving Colorado while keeping your home, read:
I'm Moving Out of Colorado. Should I Sell or Rent My Denver Home?
And if you've already decided to keep the property, read:
Owning a Denver Rental From Out of State: What You Need to Know
Can a Property Manager Help With Denver Rental Licensing?
A property manager can help make the process considerably easier to navigate.
Depending on the management relationship, that may involve helping owners understand the licensing process, coordinating access to the property, working with inspectors and vendors, addressing maintenance items, keeping property information organized, and incorporating licensing into the broader process of preparing a home for rent.
The owner remains responsible for their property and should understand the requirements that apply to it.
But that doesn't mean they have to personally coordinate every moving piece.
That's one of the broader benefits of professional property management.
If you're comparing companies and want to know exactly what to ask about licensing, maintenance, communication, and other responsibilities, our guide to choosing a Denver property management company includes 10 questions worth asking before you sign an agreement.
Think of the Inspection as a Property Health Check
It's easy to think of an inspection as another administrative hurdle.
But there's another way to look at it.
If you're about to put someone in your property for a year or longer, this is a pretty good time to ask:
Is everything working properly?
Are there small maintenance issues we've been ignoring?
Is the property safe?
Is anything likely to become a bigger problem soon?
What should we address before someone moves in?
That mindset fits closely with how we think about property management at Majordomo.
Compliance matters.
But so does stewardship.
Rental Licensing + Stewardship
At Majordomo Property Group, we provide boutique, hands-on Denver property management built around stewardship + hospitality.
And rental licensing touches both sides of that philosophy.
Stewardship
A rental property is a significant asset.
Keeping the property maintained, organized, licensed, and thoughtfully managed is part of taking care of that investment.
We don't want to wait until small issues become large ones.
We want to understand the properties we're managing and pay attention to what they need.
Hospitality
The licensing program is ultimately focused on the conditions people live in.
That's important too.
A tenant deserves a safe, functional home.
Responsive maintenance and thoughtful property care aren't simply administrative responsibilities.
They're part of providing a good rental experience.
And we believe those two priorities support one another.
Taking care of the tenant can be part of taking care of the property.
Your Rental Property Isn't Just Another Door in a Portfolio
Licensing can make rental property ownership feel very administrative.
License numbers.
Applications.
Inspection forms.
Renewal dates.
Property records.
But behind all of that paperwork is an actual home.
Maybe it's the house you lived in before moving.
Maybe it's your first investment property.
Maybe it's one piece of a portfolio you're carefully building.
At Majordomo Property Group:
Your rental property isn't just another door in a portfolio.
We want to know the home.
We want to understand the owner's goals.
And we want to help take care of both the property and the people living inside it.
Denver Rental Licensing Checklist for Property Owners
If you're preparing to rent out a Denver property, here's a simplified starting point:
- Confirm that the Residential Rental Program applies to your property.
- Review Denver's current inspection checklist.
- Address obvious maintenance and safety issues.
- Schedule the required inspection with a qualified third-party inspector.
- Correct any noncompliant items identified during inspection.
- Keep the 90-day inspection/application timeline in mind.
- Gather the documentation required for your application.
- Submit the application through Denver's licensing system.
- Pay the applicable fees.
- Keep your license information and expiration date organized for future renewal.
And remember:
Licensing is one part of becoming a landlord.
You still need a plan for pricing, marketing, screening, leasing, maintenance, tenant communication, rent collection, and long-term property care.
For the full picture, start with our guide to renting out your Denver home.
Need Help Managing a Denver Rental Property?
If you're preparing a property for its first tenant, you don't need to figure out every part of the process alone.
Whether you're:
Moving out of your Denver home and considering renting it...
Buying your first investment property...
Already self-managing and feeling overwhelmed...
Or looking for a more hands-on alternative to your current property management company...
We'd love to learn about your property.
Boutique, hands-on Denver property management built around stewardship + hospitality.
Your rental property isn't just another door in a portfolio.
Tell us about your property, where you are in the rental process, and what you're looking for in a management relationship.
Let's make sure the operational side of becoming a Denver landlord feels a lot less overwhelming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Rental Property Licensing
Do single-family rental homes need a license in Denver?
Generally, yes. Denver's Residential Rental Program applies to qualifying single-unit residential rentals, including single-family homes. The single-unit licensing requirement took effect January 1, 2024.
If you're converting your primary residence into a rental for the first time, our Denver homeowner's guide to renting out your house covers the other major steps involved.
Do Denver condos and townhomes need rental licenses?
Generally, yes, when they're being rented as qualifying residential rental properties for 30 days or more. Denver's program specifically encompasses property types including condominiums, townhouses, and rowhouses.
How long does a Denver rental property license last?
A residential rental property license generally expires four years after issuance. It can also expire when ownership changes from the owner listed on the license.
Do I need an inspection before applying for a Denver rental license?
Most qualifying properties need an inspection as part of the licensing process. Certain circumstances, including some newly constructed properties within the applicable certificate-of-occupancy window, may qualify for different treatment or an exemption from the initial inspection.
Who performs Denver rental property inspections?
The inspection is performed by a qualified third-party inspector rather than simply being a self-certification by the landlord. Owners should use Denver's current inspector requirements and resources when selecting an inspector.
What happens if my rental fails the inspection?
The inspector documents noncompliant items. The owner or property manager can correct them and pursue reinspection according to Denver's process. Some repairs may require permits or licensed contractors.
How long is a Denver rental inspection valid before I apply?
Denver's current guide says that if more than 90 days pass between the initial inspection and the license application, the initial inspection is invalidated and a new full inspection is required.
How many units need to be inspected in a Denver apartment building?
For multi-unit properties, Denver requires at least 10% of units to be inspected at random, or at least one unit when there are fewer than ten units. Additional inspection rules can apply depending on the property.
Does Denver's residential rental license cover Airbnb or short-term rentals?
No. The Residential Rental Program discussed here generally covers residential rentals of 30 days or more. Short-term rentals are regulated separately.
Can a property manager help me get my Denver rental license?
Property management companies may help owners coordinate portions of the licensing and inspection process, depending on the services offered and management agreement. Owners should ask specifically what their property manager handles.
If you're considering professional management, you can also read what a Denver property management company actually does and 10 questions to ask when choosing a Denver property manager.
Or tell Majordomo about your property and where you are in the rental process.
