The Town of Basalt's Frequently Asked Questions
STR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is a Short-Term Rental (STR)?
A short-term rental is the rental of rooms and dwelling units for short-term purposes of less than thirty (30) consecutive days. A short-term rental business license is required prior to advertising and renting your property.
Who needs to apply for a Short-Term Rental Business License?
It is the owner(s)’ responsibility to know and comply with all ordinances, resolutions and regulations that apply to short term rentals within the Town of Basalt. See Town of Basalt Municipal Code Section 16-203(c)(1).
What if I do not obtain a Short-Term Rental Business License?
Short-term rental of a dwelling unit without a current short-term rental business license is prohibited and shall be considered a zoning violation and shall be subject to the fines and penalties as discussed in Town Code Section 16-268, Penalty for Violations. Any property owner who offers a dwelling unit for rent on a short-term basis that is not permitted for rental on a short-term basis shall be considered to be in violation of Section 16-203(c)(1) and subject to prosecution in municipal court. The Town may seek an injunction in addition to other remedies and penalties provided by the Town Code or available law in the event a residential dwelling is being rented without a short-term rental business license.
What is the annual cost of an STR Business License?
If you have a short-term rental in the Town of Basalt, you MUST obtain a Short-Term Business License annually. The annual costs are:
Sales Tax License $ 10
Short Term Business License $300
Short-Term Rental Inspection $150
Total Annual STR Business License $460
Can I transfer my Short-Term Rental Business License when I sell my property?
No. The short-term rental business license for short-term rental of a dwelling unit shall be address specific and non-transferable to other properties or owners. The new owner will need to submit a Short-Term Renal Business License Application prior to advertising and/or renting as an STR.
Do I also need to obtain a separate business license?
No. The short-term rental business license is all you need to begin advertising your rental and remitting taxes.
Do I have to display my STR Business License?
Yes. The short-term rental business license must be posted in a conspicuous place within the short-term rental unit at all times. The short-term rental business license number shall be included in all advertising related to renting a dwelling on a short-term basis. Your STR Business License PDF can be found in the Business Center by clicking your account name under "Manage Your Account(s)".
Why do I need a Building Inspection?
The Town Building Official will schedule a safety inspection of the dwelling unit to be rented on a short-term basis to review that it is safe for occupancy and that it contains necessary carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The safety inspection must be conducted and passed prior to approval of a short-term rental business license. The safety inspection fee is $150 and is included in the Short-Term Rental Application fee. Please review the Short-Term Rental Safety Inspection Checklist for more details.
What is Lodging Tax?
It is a four percent (4%) lodging tax on the leasing or renting of rooms in a dwelling used for short-term rental due and payable to the Town of Basalt monthly. The tax is calculated on the gross sales of lodging services which includes all fees (other than taxes) associated with providing accommodations. Examples include pet fees, cleaning fees, booking fees, managers fees etc.
When is the Lodging Tax return due?
Returns must be filed monthly by the 20th day of the month following the month for which you are reporting. If payment is being submitted via mail, please mail return with your payment. Retain a copy of this return for your records. If there was no rental activity for the entire month, you are still required to submit a zero-lodging tax return.
Do I still need to file a tax return if I did not rent my property?
Yes. If no sales occurred during the prior month, please file a zero return by the 20th of the following month.
Do I still need to file a tax return if I rented for long -term?
Yes. If you have an active STR Business License and rented long-term (more than 30 consecutive days), please file a zero return by the 20th of the following month.
What if lodging tax is submitted by Airbnb or Vrbo?
File a zero-lodging tax return by entering the amount Airbnb or Vrbo will be submitting in the adjustment cell.
How do I amend a return?
Please email lanie.martin@basalt.net for assistance with amending your return.
I sold my property and no longer need the STR Business License. What do I do?
Please log into your account at https://basalt.munirevs.com/business-center/. Under the "Manage Your Account(s)" section, please select the account you would like to close. On the next page, please click the link for the "Closure Form". Please fill out the requested information on the form. Once complete, click the orange "Submit" button on the bottom right corner. After submission, the form will be sent into the Town to review your closure request and inactivate the account.
Business License Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Does my Business need to obtain a Business License?
If your business is physically located in the Town of Basalt, you MUST obtain a business license and/or a Sales Tax License. (Basalt Municipal Code Section 6-2. License required.)
Do I need a license if my Business is not within the Town of Basalt limits?
No. If your business is not physically located in Basalt, you do NOT need to obtain a business or sales tax license. However, this does not exempt you from charging applicable Town of Basalt sales tax on items sold in Basalt, such as on-line sales, temporary vendors, or from sales made at the Basalt Sunday Market. (Basalt Municipal Code Section 4-63). Although Basalt is a Home Rule Municipality, Basalt does not self-collect sales taxes. Sales taxes are submitted to the State of Colorado for remittance back to the Town of Basalt.
What if my Business is a Home-Based Business?
Home-based businesses must register with the Town of Basalt using the Business License application Form. Registration of your home-based business is required to ensure compliance with zoning laws. HOWEVER, if retail sales are involved, then you must also obtain the $10 sales tax license.
What if I have more than one business location within the Town?
Businesses with multiple locations must have separate business licenses for each location.
What if I have multiple businesses in one location within the Town?
Multiple businesses within one location must have separate business licenses for each location.
Who is exempt from a Business License?
Day care centers, schools, occupations carried on in a person's permanent place of residence, licensed contractors, nonprofit Colorado corporations, businesses without a permanent physical retail location within the Town (this exemption does not include temporary vendors as defined in Section 6-13 or other peddlers, solicitors, or transient merchants).
How do I determine how much sales tax to charge and how do I remit sales tax?
Town of Basalt sales tax is state collected. You will remit sales tax monthly or quarterly through the State of Colorado. The Town of Basalt is located within two counties, Eagle and Pitkin County. Sales Tax rate is dependent on which county your business is located in. To determine the sales tax, use the Colorado Sales Tax Lookup (SUTS) tool.
Where can I find more information about licensing?
https://basalt.net/459/Licenses
I sold my property and no longer need a Business License. What do I do?
Please email lanie.martin@basalt.net the last date the business license should be active.
Contractor License Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Which Contractor License should I apply for?
Unlimited – B.E.S.T Card Unlimited, ICC Class A or by Approved Reciprocal: This classification qualifies the holder to contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of any structure of any type of construction and occupancy group as permitted by the International Building Code.
Commercial - B.E.S.T Card Commercial, ICC Class A or by Approved Reciprocal: This classification qualifies the holder to contract for the construction of any structure of any type of construction and occupancy group as permitted by the International Building Code; except for Type I and Type II buildings. Also, this classification qualifies the holder for the alteration or repair of any structure of any type of construction and occupancy group permitted by the Building Code. (Type I & Type II building/construction is defined in the IBC Chapters 3 and 6)
Light Commercial - B.E.S.T Card Light Commercial, ICC Class A or B or by Approved Reciprocal: This classification qualifies the holder to contract for the construction, alteration, or repair of A-2, A-3, B, E, M, R, S1, or U occupancy groups of any type of construction except for Type I and Type II fire-resistive construction as permitted by the International Building Code. (**A-2 and A-3=Assembly, i.e. restaurants, churches, etc.; B=Business and Offices; E=Educations; M=Mercantile; R= Residential; S-1 & S-2=Moderate and low hazard storage, including parking garages; U=Utility, i.e. garage, storage, barn, water tanks, towers.) (Type I & Type II building/construction is defined in the IBC Chapters 3 and 6)
Residential Homebuilder - B.E.S.T Card Residential Homebuilder, ICC Class A or C, Division of Housing Registration (DOH) or by Approved Reciprocal: This classification qualifies the holder for the construction, alteration, or repair of buildings regulated by the International Residential Code.
Specialty Certifications - This classification qualifies the holder to contract for work involving the specialty trades regulated by the International Codes, including the following: Alteration/Maintenance - B.E.S.T Card Alteration/Maintenance (Facility Based) or by Approved Reciprocal.
· Solar: Photo-Voltaic - North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners ( NABCEP), Colorado
· Electrical Contractor, Colorado Master or Journeyman Electrician or by Approved Reciprocal.
· Solar: Hydronic - North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), or by Approved Reciprocal.
· Solid Fuel & Gas Appliances - National Fireplace Institute (NFI), or by Approved Reciprocal.
· Mechanical - B.E.S.T Card Mechanical, ICC Mechanical Certification, or by Approved Reciprocal.
· Roofing - B.E.S.T Card roofing, or by Approved Reciprocal.
· Fire Alarm Installation - National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET: Level 2 or Higher), or by Approved Reciprocal.
· Fire Suppression Installation - National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET: Level 2 or Higher), or by Approved Reciprocal.
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Who is exempt from a Contractor License?
Owner / Builder - B.E.S.T Card Owner/Builder: Tested by Town of Basalt - No Fee. This classification qualifies the holder of their owned & occupied single family dwelling for the construction, alteration, or repair regulated by the International Residential Code. The improvements must be for the Owner/Builder’s primary residence.
Electrical– Colorado State Licensed, Responsible Colorado Master Electrician License or Reciprocal recognized by Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). No Fee
Plumbing – Colorado State Licensed, Responsible Colorado Master Plumber License or Reciprocal recognized by Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). No Fee
What is a B.E.S.T card?
A B.E.S.T card stands for Board of Examiners for Standardized Testing card. The Building Officials of jurisdictions within the Roaring Fork valley have developed this program for standardized testing. The main purpose of this program is to assist in providing for and facilitating services that promote compliance with minimum construction code requirements. Also intended are recommendations to participating jurisdictions that will endeavor to make code requirements adopted by them more consistent and comprehendible. It is anticipated that this program assist contractors within the various construction disciplines in understanding and working within the regulations established by the various jurisdiction and that the result will be more uniform compliance within the minimum construction codes.
Who is required to have a B.E.S.T card?
All licensed general contractors must have a B.E.S.T. card, Certification, or an approved reciprocal at least equal to the level of their contractor license. Specialty contractors must have a B.E.S.T. card, Certification, or an approved reciprocal specific to their trade. Job supervisors are also required to have a B.E.S.T. card, Certification, or an approved reciprocal. The B.E.S.T. card, Certification or an approved reciprocal shall be attached to the test taker and not to the company. When a card holder leaves a company, the card goes with him or her.
Where can I obtain a B.E.S.T card?
City of Aspen (970)920-5041, Town of Snowmass Village (970) 923-5524, City of Glenwood Springs, (970)384-6410, Town of Silt (970) 876-2353 x 108
How can I obtain a Sustainable Builder certification through the Town?
The Town of Basalt requires any applicant for a building permit with a construction project that is subject to the Sustainable Building Regulations to complete five (5) hours of continuing education credits. The credits must be completed by the general contractor or person that will be responsible for picking up the building permit. The credits must be earned by the same person and not split between different employees of the same firm. Once completed, the credits are valid for a period of 18 months. The continuing education opportunities are updated regularly with current events, as well as additional online opportunities that can be viewed at any time. The list of current continuing education opportunities can be found HERE.
For Assistance, Contact GovOS Support
blt.str.support@govos.com
(888) 751-1911
When contacting support, be sure to include the jurisdiction (Wheat Ridge) and your account number in all emails or voicemails. This will help us assist you as promptly as possible. Thanks!
