Pet rent laws in Colorado changed dramatically on January 1, 2024, and the old “$50 a pet, plus a nonrefundable fee” model is gone. Before that date, Colorado had almost no limits on pet charges, and Hemlane reports seeing pet deposits over $1,000 and monthly fees of $100 per animal.
Now a statewide cap controls what landlords can collect, and many renters and landlords still get the details wrong. This article walks you through what is legal, what is not, and how to protect your wallet whether you rent a home or own one.
You will find the exact dollar limits, how they apply to multiple pets, what happens with assistance animals, and what your lease has to say. Colorado is one of the few states that caps pet rent itself, so the numbers below matter more here than almost anywhere else in the country.
Pro Tip: Before you sign anything, add up the pet deposit, monthly pet rent, and any “pet fee” line items. If the total looks higher than the caps below, you have grounds to push back in writing.
Is Pet Rent Legal in Colorado?
Yes. Landlords in Colorado can still charge pet rent, as long as the terms appear in the lease and stay within the state caps.
The law behind this is House Bill 23-1068, known as the Pet Animal Ownership in Housing Act. It took effect January 1, 2024 and limits tenant pet charges, including pet rent and pet deposits.
Landlords can also skip pet rent entirely, or ban pets. According to our breakdown of landlord pet bans, the law reshaped what landlords can charge but never created a right to keep a pet against a landlord’s wishes.
Pet Rent vs. Pet Fee vs. Pet Deposit in Colorado
These three terms get blurred together, and Colorado treats them very differently. The short version: pet rent is a monthly charge, a pet deposit is refundable money held against damage, and a nonrefundable pet fee is no longer allowed.
| Charge | What It Is | Colorado Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Rent | Recurring monthly charge | Legal, capped |
| Pet Deposit | One-time amount held for damage | Legal, capped at $300, refundable |
| Nonrefundable Pet Fee | One-time charge you never get back | Not permitted |
According to Hemlane, the Colorado Division of Housing’s guidance treats any money collected upfront for a pet as a deposit under state law, which means it is refundable. A landlord who labels a charge a “fee” does not change that.
Does Colorado Cap Pet Rent?
It does. Pet rent is capped at $35 per month or 1.5 percent of monthly rent, whichever is greater. The percentage only matters for pricier rentals.
Hemlane’s examples show how the math works:
- $1,000 monthly rent: 1.5% is $15, so the cap stays at $35.
- $1,800 monthly rent: 1.5% is $27, so the cap stays at $35.
- $3,000 monthly rent: 1.5% is $45, so the cap rises to $45.
The break-even point is about $2,333 in monthly rent. Renters paying more than that could see pet fees above $35.
How Much Is Pet Rent in Colorado?
Most Colorado tenants should expect pet rent of no more than $35 a month, or roughly $420 a year. Higher-rent units can reach 1.5% of rent, so a $3,000 apartment could charge up to $45 a month, or $540 a year.
Many landlords charge less than the cap. Some drop pet rent altogether and rely on the refundable deposit instead.
| Monthly Rent | Maximum Pet Rent | Maximum Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $35 | $420 |
| $2,000 | $35 | $420 |
| $2,500 | $37.50 | $450 |
| $3,000 | $45 | $540 |
Key Insight: The one-time deposit is refundable, so your true pet cost is mostly the monthly rent. Over a 12-month lease, the capped amount is the number to budget for.
Is Pet Rent Charged Per Pet in Colorado?
Generally, no. Berganco states that the $35 pet rent limit and $300 deposit limit apply per household, not per pet. A tenant with two dogs typically cannot be charged $300 for each animal.
The statute does not clearly spell this out, and interpretations vary. One legal Q&A site notes that the Act does not specify or allow the fee on a per-pet basis, and landlords sometimes still bill per animal anyway.
Important Note: Sources disagree at the edges. A few summaries describe the deposit cap as “per pet,” while most describe it as per household. Ask for the charge in writing and cite the household reading if you are billed per animal.
Which Pets Can Landlords Charge Pet Rent For in Colorado?
Landlords can charge pet rent for ordinary household pets they choose to allow, such as dogs and cats. They decide which species, sizes, and numbers to permit. Hemlane’s sample policy, for instance, allows dogs and cats with a two-animal maximum and prohibits exotic and farm animals.
State wildlife rules also limit what you can keep regardless of your lease. If you are unsure about a particular species, check Colorado’s pet import rules before you commit to an animal.
Breed rules are a separate issue. Colorado’s HB23-1068 bans breed-based insurance denial, though landlords may still decide whether to allow restricted breeds. If you own a bully breed, see our guide to pit bull laws in Colorado.
Can a Landlord Add Pet Rent Mid-Lease in Colorado?
Usually not without your agreement. Colorado requires that pet charges be clearly stated in the lease agreement, and a fixed-term lease generally cannot be rewritten by one side partway through.
If you adopt a pet after move-in, your landlord can ask you to sign a pet addendum before you bring the animal home. That addendum should list the same capped amounts, and you can decline to sign and keep living pet-free under your original terms.
Month-to-month tenants are in a different spot, because a landlord can propose new terms with proper notice. Even then, any new pet rent must stay under the state cap.
Pet Rent in Rent-Controlled and Local Rules in Colorado
Colorado does not have a general rent control system, and state law has long limited local rent control. The pet caps, however, apply statewide. Denver’s lease guide confirms that Denver adds nothing of its own and that the statewide caps are the entire rulebook there.
Local rules still matter in other ways. City breed ordinances, pet-count limits, and licensing requirements can affect which animals you can keep, even when pet rent is legal. If you own a dog, review dog leash laws in Colorado and the broader leash law rules that apply in your city.
Some towns also cap how many animals a household can have. A landlord’s own “two pet” limit can be stricter than the city’s, and that is legal.
Can Landlords Charge Pet Rent for ESAs and Service Animals in Colorado?
No. A service animal or emotional support animal is not a pet under the federal Fair Housing Act, so no deposit, fee, or pet rent may be charged, even within the HB23-1068 caps. Breed and weight limits do not apply either.
Landlords can still verify the need. A Colorado law firm explains that charging a pet deposit for a service animal or ESA could expose the housing provider to FHA liability. Any damage is handled through the regular security deposit.
- Send your landlord a short, dated written request describing the accommodation.
- If the need is not obvious, include a note from a licensed professional confirming it.
- Keep copies of all messages and vaccination or licensing records.
That process comes from tenant-rights.com’s Colorado guide. Remember that you stay responsible for actual damage your animal causes.
Can Landlords Charge Pet Rent for Visiting or Pet-Sitting Pets in Colorado?
Colorado law does not directly address guest animals, so this comes down to your lease. Many leases require approval before any animal stays overnight, and some set a short time limit, such as 7 to 14 days.
A landlord charging full monthly pet rent for a weekend visitor would be on shaky ground, since the statute ties pet rent to pets kept in the unit. A written guest-animal clause with a flat limit is far easier to defend.
If you pet-sit for a friend, ask your landlord for written permission first. Pet-sitting for pay is another matter, because commercial activity can violate lease terms. Check local rules such as kennel zoning laws in Colorado if you plan to board animals regularly.
What If You Have an Unauthorized Pet in Colorado?
Your landlord can treat an unapproved animal as a lease violation. The typical first step is a written notice to cure, which gives you time to remove the animal or get approval and sign a pet addendum.
An undisclosed pet does not erase your right to the caps. If the landlord approves the pet after the fact, the same $300 deposit and $35 or 1.5% rent limits apply.
Colorado also excludes pets from being treated as personal property for liens. A landlord cannot place a lien on your pet or use it as collateral to recover unpaid rent.
Common Mistake: Hiding a pet to avoid the $35 charge. You risk a lease violation notice, and you give up the paper trail that proves what you were charged.
Is Pet Rent Refundable in Colorado?
No, pet rent is not refundable. It is a monthly payment for the right to keep an animal, much like a parking charge. The pet deposit is the refundable piece.
Pet deposits must be refundable, and landlords cannot keep one without a damage-related reason. Robinson and Henry notes that landlords can’t retain a deposit without a damage-related reason.
Hemlane’s sample language promises return within 30 days of move-out if no pet damage exists beyond normal wear and tear, with itemized deductions in 60 days. Colorado’s standard security deposit rules still apply, and our overview notes that landlords must provide an itemized list of any deductions.
Can You Negotiate Pet Rent in Colorado?
Yes, and you have more leverage than you might think. The cap is a ceiling, not a price, so many landlords will accept less. Ask early, before you sign.
- Offer a pet résumé with vaccination records, vet references, and a photo.
- Suggest paying the refundable deposit in place of monthly pet rent.
- Offer renters insurance with pet liability coverage.
- Point to the household reading of the cap if you have two or more pets.
If a landlord insists on charging above the legal limit, you can file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Housing. A written note citing the statute often settles things sooner.
Is Pet Rent Taxable Income for Landlords in Colorado?
Yes. Pet rent is rental income, so landlords report it with the rest of their rent on their federal and Colorado returns. Refundable pet deposits are generally not income when collected, because they belong to the tenant until the landlord has a valid reason to keep them.
If a landlord keeps part of a deposit to cover pet damage, that portion is typically treated as income or as an offset to the repair cost. Landlords should keep receipts and itemized records. Under Colorado practice, landlords also give a rent receipt for all pet charges.
Important Note: This section is general information, not tax advice. Talk with a CPA or tax professional about how your specific pet charges should be reported.
What a Colorado Lease Must Say About Pet Rent
Your lease needs to state the pet charges plainly. Colorado requires that both the deposit and the pet rent be clearly stated in the lease. If a clause is missing or vague, a landlord has a weak case for collecting it.
A strong pet clause covers these points:
- The pet rent amount, and whether it applies per household.
- The refundable deposit amount, capped at $300.
- Allowed animal types, sizes, and number of pets.
- A statement that assistance animals are not pets and carry no pet charges.
- How and when the deposit is returned, plus itemized deductions.
A clause that charges more than the law allows does not become enforceable because you signed it, as Lease Decoded’s Denver guide points out. Watch for vaccination requirements too, which are lease conditions rather than fees.
Pet Rent Laws in Colorado: FAQ
What Is the Maximum Pet Rent in Colorado?
The maximum is $35 per month or 1.5% of monthly rent, whichever is greater. A $3,000 rental could charge up to $45.
What Is the Maximum Pet Deposit in Colorado?
Landlords can charge up to $300, and it must be refundable. Nonrefundable pet fees are not allowed.
Can a Landlord Charge Pet Rent for an ESA?
No. Service animals and ESAs are not pets under the Fair Housing Act, so no pet rent, deposit, or fee may be charged.
Do the Caps Apply to Each Pet?
Most guidance says the caps apply per household, not per pet. Confirm the wording in your lease and push back on per-animal billing.
Where Do You Report an Illegal Pet Charge?
You can file a complaint with the Colorado Division of Housing. For assistance animal denials, fair housing complaints can also go to HUD.
Are Other Animal Rules Worth Checking?
Yes. If your pet situation involves a bite or custody dispute, see our guides to dog bite laws in Colorado and pet custody laws in Colorado.
The bottom line: budget no more than $35 a month for pet rent in most rentals, expect to get your $300 deposit back, and never pay a charge for a service animal or ESA. Get every pet term in writing, and you will be on solid ground.