Short‑Term Rentals In Red Rock Ranch: County Vs. HOA

Thinking about listing your Red Rock Ranch home on a short-term rental platform? You are not alone. As more owners explore hosting, the rules can feel confusing, especially when county policies and HOA covenants overlap. In this guide, you will learn how El Paso County approaches short-term rentals, what your HOA can and cannot do, how taxes work, and the exact steps to take before you host or buy. Let’s dive in.

County rules at a glance

El Paso County currently states it does not have a codified short-term rental ordinance for a principal residence in unincorporated areas. In most cases, you can rent your primary home without a county STR permit. The county encourages hosts to follow Good Neighbor Guidelines and routes many problems through complaint-driven processes. You can review the county’s position on the official planning page under short-term rentals for the latest language and staff contacts: El Paso County Planning & Community Development short-term rentals.

Accessory units and detached spaces

If you plan to use a guesthouse, ADU, or another detached accessory structure as a short-term rental, zoning approval may apply. The county’s Land Development Code governs accessory uses and structures, so check standards early and document your conversation with planning staff. You can reference the accessory use section here: El Paso County Land Development Code, accessory uses.

County enforcement in practice

El Paso County’s approach is largely complaint-driven. Noise and on-street parking complaints go to the Sheriff’s Office, while land-use concerns go to Code Enforcement. There is no separate county enforcement program specifically for principal-residence STRs today. Learn how complaints are handled on the county’s page: El Paso County Code Enforcement.

HOA rules: what covenants control

Your HOA, if your lot is subject to recorded covenants, may restrict leasing or require minimum lease terms, but only if those limits appear in the recorded declaration or have been properly amended. In Colorado, a board generally cannot create a new short-term rental ban by internal rule if the covenants are silent. The Division of Real Estate explains HOA authority and covenant enforcement here: Colorado Division of Real Estate HOA FAQs.

Colorado case law also limits overreach. In Houston v. Wilson Mesa Ranch, the court found an HOA could not convert general “no commercial use” language into an STR ban without a proper covenant amendment. You can read the decision here: Houston v. Wilson Mesa Ranch HOA.

Why county policy could change

Colorado law authorizes counties to license and regulate short-term rentals, including requiring platforms to display license numbers and remove unlicensed listings. Even though El Paso County currently has no codified STR ordinance for principal residences, that could change. Before you publish a listing or close on a purchase, confirm the latest county policy: Colorado legislative updates on STR authority.

Taxes on short stays

Rentals under 30 consecutive days are generally taxable as lodging in Colorado. You may need to register with the Colorado Department of Revenue for sales and lodging taxes, and some counties or special districts levy additional lodging taxes. Platforms sometimes collect some taxes for you, but you are responsible for proper registration and filing. Review guidance here: Colorado DOR Sales Tax Guide.

Step-by-step checklist for owners and buyers

• Confirm jurisdiction. Verify whether your property is in unincorporated El Paso County or inside a municipality, because city rules may differ. Start with county planning resources and maps, then confirm with staff if needed. See the county’s STR information here: El Paso County short-term rentals.
• Pull the covenants. Obtain the recorded Declaration/CC&Rs, bylaws, and amendments. Look for lease term minimums, use restrictions, ADU rules, and how amendments are approved. Guidance on HOA authority is here: DRE HOA FAQs.
• Ask the HOA in writing. Request a written statement on whether STRs are allowed, any fines, and how enforcement works. A practical overview of HOA enforcement tools is here: CO HOA Law on STR enforcement.
• Confirm county practice. Call El Paso County Planning to verify the current approach and whether any accessory unit needs prior zoning approval. Reference the county STR page: County STR guidance.
• Register for taxes. Set up any required accounts with the Colorado DOR and check if county or special district lodging taxes apply. Start with the Sales Tax Guide.
• Review insurance and safety. Confirm your policy covers short-term guests and meet applicable fire and building codes. The county’s STR page provides general safety guidance: County STR guidance.
• Avoid event use. Do not market your home as a venue for weddings or events. The county treats business event centers differently and they require separate approvals. See the county STR guidance: El Paso County STR page.

Common Red Rock Ranch scenarios

• Hosting in your primary home. If your property is in unincorporated El Paso County and you are renting your main residence, the county currently does not require a specific STR permit for that principal structure. Always check your covenants and taxes.
• Renting a detached guesthouse. Detached units or ADUs can trigger zoning and use rules. Confirm with county planning and review accessory use standards before listing.
• Buying with STR in mind. Include covenant review, HOA confirmation, and county verification in your due diligence. Build tax and insurance planning into your timeline.
• Living near an STR. Noise or parking concerns generally go to the Sheriff, while land-use issues go to Code Enforcement. HOAs handle covenant violations through their own process.

Get local guidance you can trust

Short-term rental success in Red Rock Ranch comes down to two things: understanding what the county allows and what your HOA documents require. If you would like help aligning your plans with local rules or want to vet a property before you buy, reach out to The Fletcher Team & Associates. We will walk you through the details so you can move forward with confidence.

FAQs

Can I run an Airbnb in Red Rock Ranch if my home is my primary residence?

• If your property is in unincorporated El Paso County, the county states no STR permit is required for a principal residence, but you still need to check HOA covenants and tax registration requirements. See the county’s position here: El Paso County STRs.

Do I need approval to rent a detached guesthouse or ADU?

• Possibly. Accessory structures used as short-term rentals may require zoning approval under the county’s Land Development Code. Review standards and speak with planning staff: Accessory use standards.

Can my HOA ban short-term rentals without a covenant amendment?

• Not usually. Boards generally cannot create a new STR ban by internal rule if the recorded declaration is silent; Colorado case law supports this. Start with the DRE HOA FAQs and the Houston decision: Houston v. Wilson Mesa.

Who handles complaints about noise or parking at an STR?

• In unincorporated areas, noise and on-street parking complaints are typically routed to the El Paso County Sheriff, while county Code Enforcement handles land-use issues. The county outlines its process here: Code Enforcement.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in El Paso County?

• Rentals under 30 days are generally subject to Colorado sales and lodging taxes, and some local lodging taxes may apply; platforms may collect some taxes, but hosts are responsible for registration and filings. See the Colorado DOR Sales Tax Guide.