Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Residential rental property license: required for rentals of 30+ days; valid 4 years; renew up to 90 days before expiry Verified
Deadline: Every 4 years from the license issue; apply within the 90 days before it expires
Get a Denver residential rental property license (with a passing inspection by a certified private inspector) before renting for 30 days or more. Licenses are valid for four years unless ownership changes; renewal opens 90 days before expiry and a missed reminder does not excuse late penalties.
Who it covers: Any unit (single home or multifamily) rented long term in the City and County of Denver. Owners who live on site and rent a room without its own kitchen and bathroom do not need a license. The license ends early if ownership changes.
"A license is required for anyone offering, providing, or operating a residential rental property for 30 days or more." denvergov.org
"The license is good for four years unless ownership changes." denvergov.org
"You can renew a license as early as 90 days before it expires." denvergov.org
"Failure of a reminder does not excuse any applicable late penalty." denvergov.org
Notes: Denver Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection pages (D.R.M.C. Chapter 27, Article VII not snapshotted).
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Inspection by a certified inspector within 90 days before each license application or renewal Verified
Deadline: Every 4 years from the license issue; apply within the 90 days before it expires
Each new or renewal license application needs a city checklist inspection by a qualified private inspector completed within the 90 days before you apply. Fix any non-compliant items within one year of the application.
Who it covers: Single-unit properties: one inspection. Multiunit: 10% of units (at least one), randomly selected, plus shared systems. Non-compliant items must be fixed within one year of the application.
"Yes, inspections are required following the same rules as a new application. The initial inspection for renewal must be completed within 90 days of the renewal application." denvergov.org
"Applications for residential rental property licenses must be made within 90 days of a complete inspection to be considered valid." denvergov.org
"For multiunit properties, an inspection of 10% of the total units on the property, randomly selected by the inspector, is required." denvergov.org
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Give the tenant Denver's Tenant Rights and Resources document at lease signing and with any rent demand Verified
Deadline: When the lease starts
Give each tenant a copy of the city's Tenant Rights and Resources document (English or Spanish) when the lease is signed and again whenever you serve a demand for rent.
"The owner or operator of the residential rental property must give a copy of Tenant Rights and Resources(PDF, 981KB) (Spanish version(PDF, 283KB)) to the tenant when the lease is signed and if rent demand is served." denvergov.org
Notes: Denver residential rental property FAQ. Also whenever a rent demand is served.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
At least 91 days before the lease ends (91 days for lease term 1 year or more; 28 days for lease term 6 months to under 1 year; 21 days for lease term 1 to under 6 months; 3 days for lease term 1 week to under 1 month, or at will; 1 days for lease term under 1 week)
Within 24 hours after notice of a condition that makes the unit uninhabitable or threatens life, health or safety (72 hours in an environmental public health event)