Thinking about turning your Avon property into a short‑term rental?  With ski season visitors, busy summers, and a steady flow of mountain visitors, Avon can be a strong market if you set things up the right way. In this guide, you will learn the essentials for operating legally, protecting your asset, and creating a guest experience that earns great reviews and repeat bookings. Let’s dive in.

Why Avon works for STRs

Avon sits at the base of Beaver Creek with easy access to Vail, which means strong winter demand and a lively summer season. You also benefit from year‑round outdoor recreation, special events, and shuttle connections that make it easy for guests to get around without a car. Seasonality is real, so your pricing, minimum stays, and cleaning schedules should mirror peak and shoulder periods.

Avon Map for Property Rentals

Know the rules in Avon

Before you list your home, verify the current short‑term rental requirements with the Town of Avon and review any rules at the building or neighborhood level. Local regulations can change, and enforcement can include fines or license suspensions if you miss a step. Start by confirming whether a license or registration is required, what documents you need, and where to post any required numbers or contacts in the unit.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in the Town of Avon

The Town of Avon requires property owners to obtain a business license and a sales tax license in order to offer a short-term rental (STR) in their residence for fewer than 30 days. Advertising of the rental property should include the Avon business license number. 

Get in Compliance in Four Easy Steps

Step 1: Verify Zoning & Hosting Eligibility

• Check the Avon Short Term Rental Overlay (STRO) and Town Core Map to ensure that your property location is in an area that allows short-term rentals.
• If the property is in the STRO but outside the Town Core, check our License Availability Report to see if the property for your proposed STR is under the 15% STR-Full license cap. 
  • Properties in the STRO but outside the Town Core are allowed a maximum of 15% of dwelling units to hold an STR-Full license.
    • STR-Resident Occupied and STR Limited are not subject to the 15% licensing cap
• Verify that STRs are allowed in your HOA, if applicable.

Step 2: Get Your Short-Term Rental License

• You must apply for a business license that indicates you are pursuing an STR license online at https://avon.munirevs.com.
  • The STR License Registration Form will be applied to your MuniRevs account within 5-10 business days.
  • Once you complete and submit the STR License Registration Form through your MuniRevs account, the Community Development Department will review your application.
  • If your STR License Registration Form is approved, you will receive an affidavit in your MuniRevs account that ensures you are aware of the new management requirements and that the property meets minimum safety requirements.
  • Once the affidavit is signed, you will receive the request for payment in your MuniRevs account.
    • Unaddressed payments incur a late fee after 2 weeks.
      
• The annual fee for the STR Business License depends on your license type. 
  • Click here for details on license types and fees
• Your license is renewed annually through your MuniRevs account.  
  • MuniRevs will notify the STR license holder, via email, the month before their license expiration that their license is set to expire and provide renewal materials.

Step 3: Post Your Business License Number

You must list your short-term rental Business License Number on all advertisements, including Airbnb, VRBO, and all other online listings.

• Your business license number is located on the face of your license.
• The Avon business license number should be displayed in the advertisement as “Avon Business License No. [insert number]”.
• Failure to display the Avon business license number in any advertisement for STR is a violation of Chapter 5.04.050. – Advertisement of accommodations.

Step 4: Pay Sales Tax, Accommodations Tax, and Short-Term Rental Tax for Community Housing.

STR licensees are required to collect and remit 10% of the price paid for the rental of accommodations in the Town of Avon; 4% sales tax, 4% accommodations tax, 2% short-term rental tax for community housing.

• Sales tax and accommodations tax are reported on separate forms. Short-Term Rental Tax for community housing is included in the accommodation tax form if your property is zoned as residential. You must file your returns and make payments online by the 20th of each month at https://avon.munirevs.com. 
• Interest and penalties will be assessed for failure to pay your STR taxes.

The Town of Avon requires Market-Place Facilitators (Online Travel Companies, such as AirBNB or VRBO) to collect and remit sales tax (4%), accommodation tax (4%), and short-term rental tax for community housing (2%). If you do not use a Market-Place Facilitator, you will be required to collect and remit this tax. 10% of the price paid for the rental of accommodations in the Town of Avon.  

HOA and building rules

Many condos and planned communities in Avon have STR policies. Read your CC&Rs and house rules closely to confirm if rentals are allowed, minimum‑night requirements, guest registration procedures, parking allocations, and any extra fees. If your building has a front desk or on‑site management, ask about check‑in rules and quiet hours.

Taxes you may owe

Short‑term rentals often must collect and remit state and local taxes. In Colorado, that can include sales tax and lodging or transient occupancy taxes that may apply at the town or county level. Confirm which taxes apply to your address, whether platforms collect on your behalf, and how to register and file. If you use multiple platforms or direct bookings, make sure your tax setup is consistent.

Safety and property readiness

Additional Short-Term Rental Information

Owners are responsible for the safety of their renters. All carbon monoxide alarms, smoke alarms, and egress windows must be operational, and handrails should be in place. 

The rental of property in the Town of Avon is subject to licensing, zoning and taxation, and the requirements and conditions are set forth in the Town of Avon Municipal Code:

Definition: Section 3.28.020.

Zoning Requirements Overlay District: Section 7.20.090

Ordinance No 09-12 - Short Term Overlay Zone District

Business License: Section 5.04.050--Advertisement of Accommodations

                              Section 5.04.090--Required-fee-application

Sales and Accommodations Taxes: Section 3.08.030--Sales Tax

Section 3.28.030--Public Accommodations Tax

Guest safety comes first and is often a condition of local compliance. Check that smoke and carbon‑monoxide alarms are installed and tested, fire extinguishers are accessible, and bedroom egress meets code. Post emergency contacts, the property address, and clear instructions for heaters, fireplaces, and any specialty equipment.

In Avon’s winter climate, plan for snow removal, de‑icing supplies, and safe walkways. Provide guests with simple winter‑driving tips and where to park during snow events. Secure trash in wildlife‑resistant containers and set tidy storage rules to avoid bears or smaller animals getting into bins.

Operating like a pro

Decide whether you will manage the rental yourself or hire a professional. Self‑management gives you control over guest screening, pricing, and messaging, while a manager can handle 24/7 guest calls, turnovers, and compliance. Either way, have a reliable local contact who can respond quickly to noise, parking, or maintenance issues.

Create clear house rules in your listing and in a printed guide at the home. Outline quiet hours, maximum occupancy, parking locations, and a strict no‑party policy. Smart locks and digital access codes reduce lockouts and create a simple check‑in experience, but make sure your setup follows building and fire‑egress rules.

Cleaning and turnover logistics

Quality turnovers drive reviews and reduce wear on your home. Book a reliable cleaning team and a backup cleaner for peak weeks. Keep a locked owner’s cupboard with backup linens, toiletries, light bulbs, batteries, ice melt, and filters. If your building has shared laundry, plan for longer cycle times during holidays and communicate realistic check‑in and check‑out windows.

Pricing and seasonality in Avon

Expect ski season and key holidays to command higher nightly rates and stricter minimum stays. Summer is also a strong season with steady weekend demand driven by events and outdoor activities. Use market data tools and dynamic pricing to adjust rates, and verify claims like “minutes to the lifts” to match reality and avoid disputes.

Financial and legal planning

Short‑term rental income is generally taxable, so speak with a CPA who understands Colorado STRs and how personal use affects your tax treatment. Keep detailed records for income, expenses, repairs, and platform payouts. Review your insurance with a broker to confirm whether you need a short‑term rental endorsement, a landlord or commercial policy, and possibly umbrella coverage. If you are considering an LLC or other entity, consult an attorney and confirm compatibility with your mortgage and HOA rules.

Parking, noise, and neighbor relations

Parking limitations and quiet‑hour expectations are common in Avon and within many buildings. List the exact number of parking spaces and any vehicle size limits. Encourage guests to use shuttles where available. Share quiet‑hour windows, avoid outdoor noise late at night, and provide a direct contact number for any concerns. Proactive communication with neighbors goes a long way.

Step‑by‑step launch checklist

• Confirm local STR licensing or registration requirements and any inspections.
• Review the HOA/CC&Rs for rental permissions, minimum stay requirements, and guest rules.
• Register for all applicable state and local taxes; verify whether platforms collect on your behalf.
• Install and test smoke and CO alarms; place fire extinguishers; confirm egress.
• Set snow removal, trash service, and wildlife‑resistant storage.
• Secure appropriate STR insurance and get written confirmation of coverage.
• Choose a management approach; designate a 24/7 local contact.
• Book a cleaning team and a backup; stock the owner’s cupboard.
• Install smart locks and create a printed guest guide with emergency info.
• Build a pricing calendar by season; set minimum stays and house rules.
• Track income and expenses from day one with organized records.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Listing before you verify local rules or HOA policies.
• Assuming your homeowner policy covers rentals without an STR endorsement.
• Overpromising proximity to lifts, trails, or shuttles without measured accuracy.
• Setting weekend‑only pricing in shoulder periods and missing midweek demand.
• Neglecting snow, ice, and trash plans can lead to safety issues and complaints.

A well‑run Avon short‑term rental can complement your lifestyle and offset carrying costs when you are not in residence. With the right preparation, you can welcome guests confidently, stay compliant, and protect your investment for the long term.

If you want local, hands‑on guidance on which properties work best for short‑term rental use, reach out to the Vail Valley Team for a private, concierge consultation on Avon property rentals.