Buying a second home in Telluride.
What homes cost, how rental licensing works in town and in Mountain Village, and how to own, with introductions to trusted local agents.
Talk with RobThe town in brief.
Telluride is a historic town in a box canyon in the San Juan Mountains, linked by a free gondola to Mountain Village and the ski area. Telluride Regional Airport is just outside town, and Montrose is about 65 miles away.
The Town of Telluride and Mountain Village are separate towns with separate rules. In town, residential zones limit short-term rentals; Mountain Village sets its own licensing.
More home sales, higher prices in town.
Telluride and Mountain Village, year to date through September 15, 2026, compared with the same period in 2025.
Source: T.D. Smith, September 2026 Telluride market report. Small sample sizes; medians can swing with the mix of homes sold.
Rental licensing in the Town of Telluride
The town uses license types that depend on zoning.
Source: LocalVR summary of Town of Telluride rules, May 29, 2026. Confirm current rules with the town. Past results do not predict future income.
Where you can rent nightly.
In the Town of Telluride, a stay of 1 to 29 days needs a town short-term rental license and business license. What you can do depends on the zone. Mountain Village is a separate town with its own rules. Last checked November 13, 2026.
Classic license: no night limit
- Non-residential zones in the Town of Telluride, mostly downtown
- Lodges and hotels with an on-site lobby use a Lodging license
Residential zones: limited
A Residential license allows up to 3 short-term rentals a year, totaling no more than 29 nights. Many in-town homes fall here, so plan for personal use with occasional rentals. Mountain Village sets its own rules; confirm with the town.
Check deed restrictions and HOAs
Deed-restricted homes and some HOAs limit or prohibit short-term rentals. Read the deed and the declarations before you write an offer.
Match the home to the rules.
Nightly rental investment
Look at condos in non-residential zones downtown and in Mountain Village buildings set up for guests. Confirm the license type and HOA rules for the exact unit.
Private home
In-town residential zones cap rentals at 29 nights a year, so most single-family homes here are bought for personal use.
Co-ownership
Shares of homes may be available through co-ownership. Ask us which co-owned homes are available now.
Telluride FAQ
Can I short-term rent a home in Telluride?
In the Town of Telluride, yes, with a town license, but residential zones are limited to 3 short-term rentals and 29 nights a year. Non-residential zones allow a Classic license with no night limit. Mountain Village has its own rules.
What does a home cost in Telluride?
In the Town of Telluride, the median single-family sale price was about $8.4 million year to date through September 15, 2026, according to a T.D. Smith market report. Condos in town had a median of about $2 million.
Is Mountain Village part of Telluride?
No. Mountain Village is a separate town, linked to Telluride by a free gondola, with its own government and rental rules.
Is co-ownership available in Telluride?
Ask us which co-owned homes are available now.
Do you charge buyers a fee?
No. There is no fee to buyers for our guidance.
Thinking about Telluride?
Tell us what you have in mind and we will introduce you to a trusted local agent and share what fits your plans.