LICENSING OF RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY

Denver Revised Municipal Code ch. 27, art. VIII

in effect

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-191 Legislative intent.

Sec. 27-191. - Legislative intent. The purpose of this article is to supplement the provisions of state law governing the rights and duties of landlords and tenants of residential property in the city and to license and regulate certain buildings, structures, dwelling units or accessory dwelling units that are rented or offered for rent as long-term residential rental properties. This Code shall be construed to ensure public health, safety, and welfare insofar as they are affected by the continued occupancy and maintenance of these structures and premises. In the future, efficiency standards for rental properties to ensure emission reductions, improved indoor air quality and affordability of rentals for tenants and landlords may be implemented into these provisions. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-192 Definitions.

Sec. 27-192. - Definitions. In addition to the definitions provided in article II of this chapter, the following terms shall have the respective meanings assigned to them: (1) Department means the department of licensing and consumer protection. (2) Dwelling unit shall have the meaning set forth in the Denver Zoning Code. (3) Home inspector means a professional who meets the following qualifications: a. Certified by either the American Society of Home Inspectors, Inc., the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, Inc., or the Master Inspector Certification Board, Inc.; and b. Certified as a Combination Building Inspector by the International Code Council. (4) Manager means the manager of licensing and consumer protection. (5) Rent means receiving or offering money, services, or other remunerations in exchange for occupation of a residential rental property. (6) Residential rental property means any building(s), structure(s), or accessory dwelling unit that is rented or offered for rent as a residence. Residential rental property does not include on-campus college housing, facilities licensed pursuant to article I of chapter 26 of this Code, or facilities licensed pursuant to article II or article III of chapter 33 of this Code. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-193 License required.

Sec. 27-193. - License required. (a) License required—Residential rental property: apartment complexes and multi-unit homes. After January 1, 2023, it shall be unlawful for any person to offer, provide, or operate a residential rental property consisting of two (2) or more dwelling units on a parcel under that person's ownership without first obtaining a license for that residential rental property as provided in this article VIII and in compliance with any and all applicable laws. Examples of two (2) or more dwelling units on a parcel include, but are not limited to apartment complexes, multi-unit structures, and any other type of home where two (2) or more dwelling units are provided for rent. The manager may issue a single residential rental property license for any residential property situated on two (2) or more contiguous parcels under the same ownership. (b) License required—Residential rental property: single family homes; rowhouses; and condominiums. After January 1, 2024, it shall be unlawful for any person to offer, provide, or operate a residential rental property consisting of a single dwelling unit on a single parcel without first obtaining a license for that residential rental property as provided in this article VIII and in compliance with any and all applicable laws. Examples of a single dwelling unit on a parcel include, but are not limited to single family homes, a single dwelling unit within a rowhouse, a single dwelling unit within a condominium, and any other type of home where a person is offering only one (1) dwelling unit on the parcel is for rent. (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b), an applicant for a residential rental property license may continue in operation on and after the date a respective license would be required, if: (1) The applicant has submitted an application satisfying all provisions of this article VIII to the department prior to the date that the respective license would be required; (2) The application is pending at the time of the date a respective license would be required; (3) The applicant has completed an inspection subject to the provisions of this article VIII; and (4) The applicant complies with all provisions of this article VIII, and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-194 Application.

Sec. 27-194. - Application. (a) Application requirements. All residential rental property license applications shall be made on forms provided by the manager and shall include, in addition to any information required by chapter 32 of this Code, all supplemental materials required by this article and any rules adopted pursuant thereto. The manager may, at the manager's discretion, require additional documentation associated with the application, as may be necessary, to enforce the requirements of this article VIII. (b) Referral to other agencies. Applications for a residential rental property license may be referred to other appropriate city agencies, including, but not limited to, the department of public health and environment, department of zoning administration, fire prevention bureau, building inspection division, and the wastewater division of the department of public works. The applicant shall obtain any and all necessary permits, licenses, or other regulatory approvals as provided for in chapter 32 of this Code. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 551-23, § 12, 6-5-23; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-195 Licensing requirements.

Sec. 27-195. - Licensing requirements. In addition to the provisions applicable to all licenses, all residential rental property licensees shall comply with the following provisions: (a) A residential rental property licensee must maintain premises in compliance with article II, and all rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (b) A residential rental property licensee shall ensure that all appliances supplied by the owner are in good working condition, free of leaks or other defects, so as not to cause any unsafe or unsanitary condition. (c) A residential rental property licensee shall ensure that all dwelling units within a residential rental property contain a functioning smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher. (d) A residential rental property licensee shall comply with section 27-240 herein. (e) A residential rental property licensee shall, to advertise a residential rental property, clearly display the license number on the face of the advertisement. For the purpose of this section, the terms "advertise," "advertising" or "advertisement" mean the act of drawing the public's attention to a residential rental property. This subsection (e) shall apply to any person, employee, agent or independent contractor advertising on behalf of a residential rental property licensee. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 617-22, § 1, 6-20-22; Ord. No. 1585-22, § 2, 12-19-22)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-196 Inspections.

Sec. 27-196. - Inspections. (a) License inspections. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the manager shall not approve a residential rental property application unless the applicant provides verification of a successful inspection, in the form required by the manager of public health and environment or its designee, that the licensed premises comply with the provisions of article II. Residential rental properties with multiple dwelling units on a parcel shall cause a minimum of ten (10) percent of their units to be inspected at random, or at least one (1) unit at random if there are less than ten (10) dwelling units on the parcel. (b) License inspections to be completed by home inspectors. Inspections for residential rental properties must be completed by a home inspector as defined in this article VIII. Verifications of successful completion shall include a copy of the home inspector's certifications required by this article VIII. (c) Special license inspections. An applicant whose fees may be waived pursuant to section 32-105(b) may submit an inspection report certifying compliance with federal housing standards conducted by a local, state, or federal government agency or state finance agency. Such inspection report must be dated within four (4) years of the application date. (d) Deadlines for inspections. The manager shall not accept verification of a successful inspection if the verification is completed more than ninety (90) days prior to the residential rental property application date. Applicants for a residential rental property may submit verification of a successful inspection at any time during the application period, as long as the verification occurred no more than ninety (90) days prior to the residential rental property application date. Verification of a successful inspection must be submitted prior to issuance of the license by the department. (e) Exemption from initial inspection. Subsection (a) shall not apply to newly constructed rental properties if the application is submitted within four (4) years after the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy. This exemption does not apply to existing structures that receive a new certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy. (f) Other inspections. All residential rental property licensees shall be subject to inspections as provided in article II of this chapter from the manager of public health and environment or its designee. No person shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of article II solely by virtue of having received a passing inspection from a home inspector. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 1585-22, § 2, 12-19-22; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-197 Causes for denial.

Sec. 27-197. - Causes for denial. In addition to the grounds set forth in the chapter 32 of this Code, any application submitted pursuant to this article VIII shall be denied if: (a) The issuance of a license to the applicant or licensee would not comply with any applicable federal, state, or local law, and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. (b) The proposed licensed premises does not conform to the requirements of the Denver Zoning Code, Former Chapter 59, the Denver Building and Fire Code, the electrical code of the City and County of Denver, article II of this chapter, or the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of public health and environment. (c) The applicant or licensee fails to complete any required inspections or obtain any necessary permits for the proposed premises. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-198 Transferability of license.

Sec. 27-198. - Transferability of license. No license granted pursuant to this article shall be transferable from one (1) person or location to another. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-199 Term license, renewal.

Sec. 27-199. - Term license, renewal. (a) Term. Residential rental property licenses shall expire four (4) years from issuance or when ownership of the property licensed pursuant to this article changes from the person recorded on the face of the license. (b) Application materials and deadlines. Residential rental property license renewals shall be governed by the standards and procedures set forth in chapter 32 of this Code. Applications to renew a residential rental property shall be made in the manner provided by the manager. (c) Inspection prior to renewal. Residential rental property licensees shall cause the licensed premises to be inspected pursuant to section 27-196 prior to renewal. The manager shall not accept verification of a successful inspection if the verification is not within ninety (90) days of the renewal application date, except as provided for in section 27-196(c). (d) Denial of renewal. An application to renew a residential rental property license may be denied if there are causes for denial, suspension, revocation, non-renewal or other licensing sanctions as provided in chapter 32 of this Code, this article VIII, or rules and regulations promulgated thereto. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-200 Suspension, revocation, and other sanctions.

Sec. 27-200. - Suspension, revocation, and other sanctions. (a) Disciplinary actions. In addition to the grounds set forth in chapter 32 of this Code, a residential rental property license may be suspended or revoked for any of the grounds for denial set forth in this article VIII. (b) Disciplinary procedures. Procedures for investigation of license violations and for suspension, revocation or other licensing sanctions as a result of any such violation shall be as provided in chapter 32 of this Code and any rules and regulations promulgated by the manager. (c) Effect on leases. The suspension or revocation of a license shall not affect any lease or other arrangement for possession between the licensee and a tenant. However, the licensee shall not enter into any new arrangement for possession, nor renew any arrangement, during active suspension or revocation of its license. Additionally, the licensee must comply with any conditions related to the disciplinary action. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-201 Rules and regulations.

Sec. 27-201. - Rules and regulations. The manager may adopt such reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this article and any other ordinances or laws relating to and affecting the licensing and operation of residential rental properties. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate a rule or regulation adopted by the manager pursuant to this section. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 617-22, § 1, 6-20-22; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-202 Reporting.

Sec. 27-202. - Reporting. Report to city council. The manager shall report in writing to city council by July 1 of each year, beginning in 2022, regarding the issuance of rental licenses. (Ord. No. 420-21, § 1, 5-3-21; Ord. No. 617-22, § 1, 6-20-22; Ord. No. 1003-25, § 16, 7-28-25)

Denver Revised Municipal Code § 27-203 Administrative assessment of civil penalties.

Sec. 27-203. - Administrative assessment of civil penalties. (a) Civil penalty. In addition to any other penalties prescribed by this Code or other applicable statutory authority, any person who violates any provision of article VIII of Chapter 27 is also subject to a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per violation, per day, notwithstanding any provision in this Code. Such violations shall be considered property violations for which the city may assess a lien against the property in violation pursuant to article XII of chapter 2 of this Code. Enforcement actions are intended to be cumulative in nature. The city may pursue one (1) or more civil, criminal, and administrative actions, fees, fines, sentences, penalties, judgments, and remedies and may do so simultaneously or in succession. (b) Appeal procedure. Any person who disputes a violation for which a civil penalty is assessed may file a notice of appeal pursuant to article XII of chapter 2 of this Code and rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the director. (Ord. No. 1567-25, § 1, 11-17-25)

Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH27HO_ARTVIIILIREREPRFetched: 10/27/2026