Quick answer: The Boulder festival lodging rental license lets owners, and tenants with owner approval, rent a home for up to 29 days a year during a city-approved festival such as Sundance. The standard fee is a $190 application plus a $25 business license.
With the Sundance Film Festival arriving in Boulder January 21–31, 2027, many homeowners and tenants are asking whether they can legally rent out their home for the festival. In most cases the answer runs through one city program. This guide explains how it works, what it costs and what to weigh before you apply, using information current as of October 17, 2026.
Orchard Real Estate Boulder is a Boulder Chamber of Commerce member and a Friend of Sundance. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice, and we are not part of the festival's organization. Confirm every requirement with the City of Boulder before you apply.
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What the Boulder festival lodging rental license is
The license lets Boulder residents rent their homes for fewer than 30 days a year during a city-approved Special Festival Event. The city created it to give visitors places to stay inside Boulder instead of commuting in, and to keep most homes available for long-term residents the rest of the year.
On April 2, 2026, City Council approved updates. Tenants can now take part with the property owner's approval, and properties holding a long-term rental license can add festival dates. The city says licenses began issuing in May.
Key rules at a glance
| Item | What the city says |
|---|---|
| Annual cap | 29 days per year total |
| Rental window | The festival dates, plus up to 10 days before and 9 days after |
| Who can apply | Owners of any property type, tenants with owner approval, and holders of long-term rental licenses |
| Standard fee | $190 application fee plus a $25 business license, valid for four years |
| Long-term license holders | $75 application fee plus the $25 business license, one-year term |
| Short-term rental license holders | Properties with an existing short-term rental license do not need the festival license |
Fees and eligibility categories have changed since the program launched, so check the City of Boulder license page for the current version before you pay.
How it differs from a regular short-term rental license
Boulder's standard short-term rental license is tied to your principal residence and carries annual affidavit and fee requirements. The festival license has fewer application requirements and no ownership-type restriction, so second-home owners and owners of non-primary properties can qualify. In exchange, it only works around city-approved festival events and is capped at 29 days.
The market reality for hosts
Hosting demand is real, but so is the competition. As of mid-October the city counts 1,848 short-term and festival lodging licenses issued or pending, and 1,525 homes are approved to advertise. A longtime Boulder host told Denver7 that Boulder already had nearly 3,000 short-term rental hosts before the festival, and that new applications are still arriving each week.
Visit Boulder recommends about $250–$300 a night for a one-bedroom condo and $1,100–$1,400 a night for a four-bedroom house, based on two years of Park City booking data and January benchmarks from Airbnb and Vrbo. Some early listings were priced far above that guidance. The same host cautioned that some people expect a large payday from a small spare space, which is often unrealistic.
Visit Boulder has also partnered with professional property management companies and can help list properties on the official festival website.
Rent, hold or sell? Questions to ask
- Is your property in the right category? Owners, tenants, vacant units and long-term license holders each have a different path and fee.
- Is the income worth the work? Consider cleaning, guest support, wear and tear, and how competitive your location and price are.
- Do your HOA, lease, insurance and mortgage allow it? A city license does not override private restrictions.
- What are the tax obligations? Short-term lodging can carry sales, lodging and income tax obligations. Ask a tax professional.
- Does a sale make more sense? If you were already thinking about moving, the festival changes your timeline, not necessarily your goals. Ask about Orchard's Move First and Home Sale Guarantee programs, and read our guide to selling a home in Boulder.
Neighboring cities have different rules
If your property is in Louisville, Lafayette or Longmont, the Boulder license does not apply. Local broker coverage reports that Louisville plans a temporary Sundance short-term rental license, Lafayette continues under its existing rules, and Longmont keeps stricter limits. Confirm each city's current rules directly, because they can change. Our comparison of rental rules across Boulder County cities has the latest details.
Pre-application checklist
- Identify your category: owner, tenant, vacant unit or long-term license holder.
- If you rent, get written approval from your landlord.
- Review HOA rules, lease terms, insurance coverage and your mortgage.
- Prepare to certify that the property meets safety and occupancy requirements.
- Budget for the license fees and a tax professional's advice.
- Apply through the City of Boulder, and make sure the application is complete, since missing pieces or unpaid fees can delay approval.
Boulder festival lodging rental license: common questions
Who can apply for the Boulder festival lodging rental license?
Owners of any property type, tenants with the owner's approval, and holders of long-term rental licenses can apply.
How much does the Boulder festival lodging rental license cost?
The standard cost is a $190 application fee plus a $25 business license, valid for four years. Long-term license holders pay $75 plus the $25 license on a one-year term. Confirm current fees on the city page before you pay.
How many days does the Boulder festival lodging rental license allow?
Up to 29 days per year, within the festival dates plus up to 10 days before and 9 days after.
Do short-term rental license holders need it?
No. Properties with an existing short-term rental license do not need the festival license.
If you are on the visitor side, see our guide to Sundance Boulder lodging. For more on how the festival affects the local market, read Boulder real estate and Sundance.
Weighing whether to rent your home, keep it, or sell? Contact Steve deGuzman at steve.deguzman@orchard.com or 720.330.8827 for a local perspective on your options.
Information is current as of October 17, 2026 and may change. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Official sources: City of Boulder and Visit Boulder.
