Rental Inspections in the City of Boulder

What is a Boulder Rental Inspection?

If you rent (or even just advertise for rent) in Boulder, your unit must be licensed. A rental inspection is required by the city before you can receive or renew that license.

• New rentals: If the property has never been licensed, it may also need to pass a SmartRegs energy efficiency inspection, if the house was built before 2001. See the Smart Regs page.
• Licensed provider: Rental Inspections is fully licensed by the City of Boulder to perform all Boulder Rental inspection requirements.

What Happens After an Inspection?

• If your unit passes: You’ll receive the official inspection documents needed for your rental license application.
• If your unit fails: We’ll provide a clear list of corrections so you can get into compliance quickly.

How Often Are Inspections Required?

Rental inspections are required every 4 years. To keep things stress-free, inspections can be scheduled up to 1 year before renewal.

👉 We recommend booking your inspection 3–6 months before your license expires to avoid last-minute issues.

Common Issues Found During Inspections

Smoke Detectors

• Required in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area (within 15’), and on every level of the home.
• Must be less than 10 years old (no date = too old).

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Required on every level of a home, and within 15’ of every sleeping area.
• Must be less than 10 years old and functional when tested.
• Can be installed at any height, following manufacturer’s instructions.

Outdoor Lighting (Boulder’s 2003 Ordinance)

• Fixtures must prevent light pollution, point downward, and use shielded bulbs.
• Requirements:
  • Bulbs not directly visible.
  • No upward light.
  • Max 3000K color temperature (warm/yellow light).
  • Max 60W / 900 lumens for standard lights.
  • Spotlights: under 75W / 1200 lumens, aimed down, 5-minute timer limit.

The city is now actively enforcing this ordinance during rental license inspections.

Stay compliant. Avoid delays. Protect your investment.
Contact Rental Inspections LLC today to schedule your Boulder rental inspection.