Silverthorne Real Estate / Short-Term Rental Guide
2026 Silverthorne Short-Term Rental Rules & Real Estate Guide
Silverthorne uses a three-area STR licensing system, and as of May 2026, both Zone 1 and Zone 2 still have licenses available with no waitlist. If you are looking at a Silverthorne property for Airbnb or VRBO, the zone the property sits in determines everything. Zone 2 has nearly 300 licenses open. Zone 1 is down to 23 and needs to be verified before you assume availability. Zone 3 is deed-restricted housing where no licenses are issued, period.
Written by Tucker Zimmerman, Associate Broker, Slifer Smith & Frampton — Summit County, Colorado
303-907-9129 | TZimmerman@SliferSummit.com
Updated July 2026 Sourced from Town of Silverthorne staff memos and official licensing data
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Zone 1 Available 23 licenses 10% cap. Verify before assuming availability. Was as low as 17 in Feb 2025. |
Zone 2 Available 299 licenses 50% cap. Town Core and Riverfront. Strong availability right now. |
Total STR Tax Rate 16.375% Collected from guests on top of the nightly rate, not deducted from owner revenue. |
The Short Answer
Yes, you can list a Silverthorne property on Airbnb or VRBO. Unlike Frisco (waitlisted) or Breckenridge Zone 3 (decade-long backlog), Silverthorne has licenses available right now in both Zone 1 and Zone 2 with no waitlist. Zone 2 has 299 open licenses. Zone 1 has 23 and is legitimately tight.
The questions to answer before making an offer: which zone is the property in, and is a license currently available in that zone? Those two things determine whether rental income is a real near-term option or a someday-maybe.
One critical geography note before anything else: Wildernest is not Silverthorne. Many buyers assume properties in Wildernest fall under Silverthorne's licensing rules. They do not. Wildernest is in unincorporated Summit County, which has an entirely different STR framework. This is one of the most common jurisdiction mistakes in the market. Always confirm using the Summit County GIS tool before assuming anything. For the full countywide picture, see my Summit County STR regulations guide.
Looking at a specific Silverthorne property? I can confirm the zone, check current availability, and walk through the licensing picture before you go under contract. 303-907-9129 or TZimmerman@SliferSummit.com
Important: Wildernest Is Not Silverthorne
This catches buyers every year. Wildernest sits just above Silverthorne and feels like part of the same market. In terms of STR licensing, it is not. Wildernest is in unincorporated Summit County. Properties there fall under Summit County's neighborhood overlay STR framework, which limits bookings to 35 per year in residential overlay zones and has its own licensing requirements entirely separate from the Town of Silverthorne.
If you are looking at a property in or near Wildernest and rental income is part of the plan, confirm the jurisdiction first. The address alone will not tell you. Use the Summit County GIS tool to confirm before assuming Silverthorne rules apply.
How the Zone System Came Together
Silverthorne passed its first STR ordinance in October 2018, one of the earlier Summit County towns to do so. At that point the goal was basic licensing and compliance, not caps. The workforce housing pressure that came with the pandemic changed the calculus. By December 2022, Town Council approved Ordinance 2022-25 establishing the three-area zone structure, with caps ranging from 10% to 50% depending on neighborhood type, and a complete prohibition in deed-restricted areas.
When the caps passed, Silverthorne had already issued 302 licenses. With a combined cap of 741 across all zones, town officials were explicit that there was still meaningful room for growth. That distinguishes Silverthorne from Breckenridge, where caps were set well below existing license counts, and from Frisco, where the cap hit just four months after the ordinance passed. Silverthorne came in with real capacity remaining, and three years later Zone 2 still has nearly 300 licenses available.
The Three Silverthorne STR Areas
Every property inside Silverthorne town limits falls into one of three areas. The area determines whether you can get a license, how competitive availability is, and what cap pressure looks like going forward. Figures below are from Town of Silverthorne staff memos as of May 26, 2026.
Silverthorne STR area boundaries. Use the Town of Silverthorne licensing page to confirm any specific address.
Open — No Waitlist
Area 1: In-Town Neighborhoods10% cap per neighborhood 215 max licenses total 192 currently issued 23 licenses currently available Available but tight. Zone 1 dropped to just 17 remaining licenses in February 2025. Buyers whose investment thesis depends on a Zone 1 license should verify availability directly with the town before going under contract, not after. |
Open — No Waitlist
Area 2: Town Core, Riverfront & Summit Sky Ranch50% cap 526 max licenses total 227 currently issued 299 licenses currently available The clear STR opportunity in Silverthorne right now. Nearly 300 open licenses, no waitlist, higher density cap, and proximity to Lake Dillon and the Blue River corridor. If you want a licensed Silverthorne STR without the cap pressure of Zone 1, this is where to look. |
No STR Licenses — Ever
Area 3: Deed-Restricted Workforce HousingCovers Silverthorne's deed-restricted affordable housing neighborhoods. No STR licenses are issued here, no exceptions, no waitlist. If the property is deed-restricted, STR is off the table entirely. This is not a cap situation, it is a prohibition. Verify deed restriction status during due diligence on any property that appears to have an unusually low price relative to the neighborhood. |
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View current Silverthorne STR license counts (Town of Silverthorne) — updated biweekly at Town Council meetings
Not sure which zone a Silverthorne property falls in? Send me the address. I can confirm the zone and current license availability before you get invested in a property. 303-907-9129 or TZimmerman@SliferSummit.com
The License Does Not Transfer on Sale
Same story as every Summit County town. When a Silverthorne property sells, the seller's STR license is extinguished. The new buyer applies fresh after closing. Because both Zone 1 and Zone 2 currently have availability, this is not the obstacle it is in Frisco or Breckenridge's closed zones. But in Zone 1 with only 23 licenses remaining, it is worth confirming availability has not changed between when you research it and when you close.
A listing with years of Airbnb history is not a guarantee of future licensing. It tells you what the current owner earned with their license. Verify availability for the specific zone before the offer goes in.
Fees and Taxes
Silverthorne's total STR tax rate is 16.375%, which is on the higher end for Summit County. The important thing to understand is that this tax is collected from guests on top of the nightly rate, not deducted from your revenue. Guests pay it at checkout just like a hotel tax. It does not come out of what you earn.
Annual License Fee
Silverthorne uses a per-bedroom fee structure. Exact current amounts should be verified directly with the Town of Silverthorne Finance Department before purchase, as fees have been adjusted periodically since the 2022 ordinance.
Source: Town of Silverthorne: STR Licensing and Fees
Total STR Tax Rate: 16.375%
Here is where the money goes on every booking:
| Tax Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Town of Silverthorne lodging tax | 8.0% |
| Town of Silverthorne sales tax | 2.0% |
| State of Colorado sales tax | 2.9% |
| Summit County sales tax | 2.0% |
| Regional transit district | 0.75% |
| Summit Combined Housing Authority | 0.725% |
| Total | 16.375% |
Source: Silverthorne STR Tax Information
License Expiration and Operating Requirements
- License expiration: November 30 each year, regardless of when issued. Renewal applications available in fall.
- No night cap: Silverthorne does not limit annual rental nights. Rent as much as demand allows.
- Occupancy: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2. Bedroom count is set by the Summit County GIS Parcel Query Tool, not the listing description or owner representation.
- Responsible Agent: Required. Must respond within 60 minutes of a complaint, or within 30 minutes for complaints between 11pm and 7am. Can be the owner or a management company.
- License number required: Must appear in all advertising on all platforms.
- Non-transferable: License does not transfer on property sale. New owner applies after closing.
- Duplex notice: If the property is part of a duplex, written notice to the adjacent unit owner is required seven days before filing the application.
Why Silverthorne Works as an STR Market
Silverthorne does not have Breckenridge's brand recognition or Keystone's ski-in access. What it has is central location, real visitor demand, and a licensing framework that still has meaningful availability, which is more than most Summit County towns can say right now.
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Central Summit County location Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain are all within 20 to 30 minutes. Guests can mix ski areas across a week. That flexibility appeals to the multi-day trip market. |
Lake Dillon access The Zone 2 Riverfront area sits along the Blue River just upstream from Lake Dillon. Summer demand here has real depth. Paddle boarding, kayaking, the rec path, and Dillon Amphitheater events all drive bookings outside ski season. |
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Outlets and year-round traffic Silverthorne's outlet mall generates year-round visitor traffic that most mountain towns do not have. It brings people who are not pure ski-trip buyers, which supports shoulder-season occupancy. |
Lower price points than Breckenridge For buyers whose budget does not stretch to Breckenridge resort-zone prices, Silverthorne offers real STR potential at lower entry costs. The math on returns can be more attractive precisely because the purchase price is more accessible. |
What I Go Through Before Recommending a Silverthorne STR Purchase
- Is the property actually inside the Town of Silverthorne, or does the address just suggest it?
- Which area is it in, confirmed on the town's map or licensing tool?
- Is a license currently available in that area, and what does Zone 1 availability look like given the 23-license cushion?
- Is the property deed-restricted? An unusually low price sometimes signals a deed restriction that rules out STR use entirely.
- Does the HOA allow short-term rentals? Most do in Silverthorne outside of deed-restricted areas, but worth confirming during due diligence.
- Does the layout, parking, and access actually work for rental guests?
- Does the property still make sense if you never get an STR license or if Zone 1 caps out before you close?
Zone 1 in particular is worth a direct call to the town before going under contract. With 23 licenses remaining and a history of dropping to 17, availability can change between when you research it and when you close.
Is Silverthorne a Good Airbnb and Vacation Rental Market?
Yes, with eyes open about the tax rate and zone dynamics. Zone 2 is the clear opportunity right now: nearly 300 licenses available, higher density cap, and strong location near the river and lake. Zone 1 works but needs active verification given the tighter cushion. Zone 3 is not an option.
Silverthorne makes sense if:
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Worth thinking through if:
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Comparing Silverthorne against Breckenridge, Frisco, Dillon, Blue River, Keystone, or Copper Mountain? Start with the full countywide comparison: Summit County Short-Term Rental Regulations Guide.
Common Questions
Can I Airbnb a property in Silverthorne?
Yes. Both Zone 1 and Zone 2 have licenses available right now with no waitlist. Zone 2 has 299 open licenses. Zone 1 has 23 and should be verified before assuming it will still be available at closing.
Is Wildernest part of Silverthorne?
No. Wildernest is in unincorporated Summit County. Properties there fall under Summit County's STR framework, not Silverthorne's. Confirm jurisdiction with the Summit County GIS tool before assuming which rules apply.
What is the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2 in Silverthorne?
Zone 1 covers most established in-town neighborhoods at a 10% density cap. Zone 2 covers the Town Core, Riverfront, and Summit Sky Ranch at a 50% cap. Zone 2 has far more availability and lower cap pressure. Zone 1 is tighter with only 23 licenses remaining.
Does a Silverthorne STR license transfer when a property sells?
No. The license is extinguished at closing. Every new buyer applies fresh. Because both zones currently have availability, this is manageable, but Zone 1 buyers should confirm availability has not changed close to the time of closing.
What is the total STR tax rate in Silverthorne?
16.375% total, collected from guests on top of the nightly rate. Guests pay it like a hotel tax at checkout. It includes an 8% lodging tax, 2% town sales tax, 2.9% state, 2% county, 0.75% regional transit, and 0.725% housing authority. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit most of this automatically for platform bookings.
When do Silverthorne STR licenses expire?
November 30 every year regardless of when the license was issued. Renewal applications are typically available in fall of each year.
Is there a cap on rental nights in Silverthorne?
No. Once licensed, you can rent as many nights as demand supports. No annual night limit.
What is the occupancy limit for Silverthorne STRs?
2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional occupants. Bedroom count is based on the Summit County GIS Parcel Query Tool, not what the listing says.
Do HOA rules restrict STRs in Silverthorne?
Rarely, outside of deed-restricted properties where STRs are prohibited entirely. Most market-rate condos and homes in Silverthorne permit short-term rentals. Confirm during the inspection period.
What should I know about Zone 3?
Zone 3 covers deed-restricted workforce housing neighborhoods. No STR licenses are issued there, no exceptions. A property priced well below market comparables sometimes signals deed-restricted status. Verify with the town before assuming a low-priced property can be licensed.
Thinking About a Silverthorne Purchase?
Zone 2 in Silverthorne is one of the more straightforward STR opportunities in Summit County right now. Nearly 300 licenses available, no waitlist, and a central location that works year-round. Zone 1 takes a little more work to verify upfront but can still be a solid buy with eyes open about the tighter cushion.
I can confirm zone classification, verify current license availability, and help you evaluate whether a specific property makes sense before you write an offer.
Tucker Zimmerman
Associate Broker, Slifer Smith & Frampton
303-907-9129 (call or text)
TZimmerman@SliferSummit.com
SoldInSummit.com
Related Resources
- Town of Silverthorne: Official STR Licensing Page
- Summit County GIS Tool: Confirm Property Jurisdiction and Zone
- Summit County Short-Term Rental Regulations: Full Countywide Guide
- Breckenridge Short-Term Rental Rules
- Frisco Short-Term Rental Rules
- Blue River Short-Term Rental Rules
- Silverthorne Real Estate Listings
Disclaimer: Short-term rental rules, zone classifications, license availability, fees, taxes, and enforcement policies change. License counts sourced from Town of Silverthorne staff memos and are updated biweekly. This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Always verify current zone status, cap availability, and fee schedules directly with the Town of Silverthorne Finance Department before making any purchase or licensing decision. Tucker Zimmerman is a licensed Colorado real estate broker with Slifer Smith & Frampton.