Fort Collins Tightens Rules on Short-Term Rentals in Old Town North

Fort Collins Tightens Rules on Short-Term Rentals in Old Town North

In a decisive move to preserve the character and livability of Fort Collins’ Old Town North neighborhood, the city council recently adopted new restrictions on short‑term rentals (STRs). The changes zero in on non‑primary rentals—properties not occupied by their owners—which had become increasingly prevalent and problematic in the area.

What’s Changing?

• Non-primary STRs will no longer be allowed in the Community Commercial – North College (CCN) zoning district, which includes Old Town North. While new non‑primary licenses will be prohibited going forward, existing non‑primary STRs may still renew their licenses under specific conditions.

• License transferability is banned. STR licenses tied to non-primary rentals in Old Town North will not be transferable when the property is sold.

Why the Policy Shift?

The 2017 STR regulations were introduced citywide to safeguard residential neighborhoods while accommodating visitor lodging. The distinction between primary and non‑primary rentals was central to this strategy: owner-occupied rentals (primary) were generally permitted where residential character predominated, while non‑primary rentals were allowed in areas expected to have more commercial activity—like the fringes of retail corridors.

Old Town North, however, has evolved differently. Rather than turning commercial, the area became more residential, with a notably high concentration of STR licenses—about 25% of its ~300 homes hold STR permits.

This influx of transient guests has sparked mounting concerns among residents, who have raised issues around noise, parking congestion, trash, diminished neighborhood bonds, and overall livability. From 2019 through early 2025, nearly 30% of all STR-related complaints in Fort Collins originated from this neighborhood.

The Path to This Decision

In early 2025, city staff engaged directly with the community, holding a February open‑house meeting and gathering over 90 emailed comments. Residents voiced strong opinions about losses to community cohesion, growing noise, and struggles around parking.

These concerns prompted staff to propose two key ordinances:

1. Ord. 106 (2025) – Remove non‑primary STRs from allowed uses in the CCN zone.

2. Ord. 107 (2025) – Ensure existing non‑primary licenses can be renewed, even though they’re now disallowed for new properties.

Council passed both measures—first reading in mid‑June, then final approval in early July. The ordinances went into effect as of July 11, 2025.

Balancing Interests

Supporters of the policy emphasized its importance for maintaining neighborhood quality, pointing to the proliferation of non‑primary rentals as a unique issue in Old Town North. Critics, however, noted the change could unfairly penalize compliant STR operators, arguing that better-targeted approaches—like stricter enforcement or licensing limits—might have sufficed

At a Glance

This balanced update can easily serve as a lead piece for your newsletter or blog. Let me know if you'd like a more formal or informal tone, additional quotes from residents or officials, or supplementary context on how this compares with STR regulation trends elsewhere in Northern Colorado.

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Source: Coloradoan, “Fort Collins changes short-term rental rules for Old Town North neighborhood” (Coloradoan via coloradollllan.com)