Permitting for STR in Unincorporated Jefferson County, CO / 1 Acre Requirement

Morrison, CO · Member since 2024 · 3 posts · 4 votes

Hi All! First post here. Question to folks who are operating a STR in Unincorporated Jefferson, County, CO. We have a property there that we are in process of converting to a STR. I understand that the county is in process of revising policy, but a couple of questions. First, I have read that many people are not obtaining permits. Is this the case? First question is why not? Second is about the the "minimum 1-acre" requirement. Is there any logic behind why they make the parcel size a requirement? There are several STR's on AiR B&B that do not abide this; are they likely operating outside of permits or does the county make exceptions?

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Garrett BrownPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2024 · 518 posts · 555 votes
2y
Hey @David S Roberts , welcome! I am not familiar with that particular county, but people run STRs without permits all the time. They are just playing with fire, really, but it happens everywhere. That is why most places are trying to figure out their regulations without grey areas. Is the one-acre requirement for one structure or septic per acre?
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Olivia Caldwell-Nepveux
Real Estate Agent · CO · Member since 2022 · 22 posts · 5 votes
1y
Hey David!

I am a STR focused investor/agent. My properties are primarily in Arvada, CO, but I have a pulse on the market of regulatory environments throughout the state since I am almost entirely niched to STR investors in my business. There have been increasing issues with unincorporated JeffCo... I even have a friend who received an unfounded complaint from a neighbor (the neighbor was just against STRs, no events/parties that occurred), and now their property is temporarily banned/under review, regardless of them abiding by all rules. I'm not currently encouraging investors to do unincorporated JeffCo for that reason - they've become more strict/unfriendly over time. Still can be done, but you do run some risk of neighbor complaints, etc., more so than in other areas of CO that are more investor-friendly. In terms of the current rules, as you mentioned - updates to legislation are currently being discussed. For non-primary residences, they have to follow all of the following rules to receive a permit:

- the property must be a minimum of one (1) acre in size (designed as a precaution to disturbances)
- The building standards of the underlying zone district must be met
- Adequate parking is provided
- Defensible Space requirements are met
- Valid water and sanitation must be demonstrated
- No more than five (5) bedrooms are in the dwelling

As time goes on, they continue to become more strict on the rules listed above here, and are actively regulating it. If I were you (and you meet the items listed above), I would definitely still move forward with licensing since you already have the property. In the future if you plan to continue to invest in STRs, would encourage other areas - shoot me a DM and happy to walk you through where I'm seeing the most friendly regulations and best cash flow.

Liv
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