Short-term rental licensing continues to be a key consideration for buyers and owners in Summit County, particularly in the Upper Blue Basin. The most recent data provides helpful insight into how the waitlist is moving—and what that may mean for prospective STR investors.
As of the latest update, there are 107 properties currently on the Upper Blue Basin STR license waitlist. Since July 2025, 47 Type II STR licenses have been relinquished, allowing the County to bring total license counts back below the established 590-license cap. As a result, Summit County has resumed accepting new applications and issuing licenses.
In the near term, approximately 27 new licenses are expected to be issued. Based on recent trends—averaging roughly six relinquished licenses per month—and assuming approximately 80 properties remain on the waitlist after the upcoming issuances, the estimated wait time is approximately 12 to 18 months.
This projection is intended as a general planning estimate only. STR regulations and license availability can change, and buyers and sellers are strongly encouraged to verify current conditions directly with Summit County before making any purchase or sale decisions tied to short-term rental use.
For the most up-to-date information, Summit County’s STR Program can be contacted directly:
Brandi Timm
STR Program Coordinator
Office: (970) 668-4185
Cell: (970) 406-8557
STR Program Website
Based on recent conversations with the County, the Lower Blue Basin is currently experiencing an even shorter wait, which may be an important consideration for buyers evaluating STR-eligible areas within Summit County.