Rental Inspections in the City of Boulder

Boulder Rental Inspection Services Overview

Rental Inspections LLC provides fully licensed, comprehensive inspection services required for the City of Boulder’s rental licensing process. For just $140, property owners receive a thorough compliance evaluation designed to help you avoid licensing delays, maintain safety standards, and protect your investment.

We are officially licensed by the City of Boulder to perform all rental inspection requirements, and we can also assist with SmartRegs energy efficiency inspections for homes built before 2001. Whether your property passes immediately and you receive your application documents, or you need a clear, actionable list of corrections, we make the 4-year renewal process straightforward and stress-free.

Key Service Highlights:

• Fully Licensed by the City: Authorized to perform all Boulder rental inspection requirements.

• Targeted Compliance Expertise: We know exactly what the city looks for, specializing in strict safety requirements like smoke and CO detector placement, as well as Boulder’s 2003 Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.

• Landlord-Centric Approach: Conducted by a fellow landlord who understands property management challenges and focuses strictly on code compliance and safety.

• Clear Action Plans: If your unit fails, we provide a clear, easy-to-understand list of corrections to get you into compliance quickly.

• Bulk Pricing Available: We offer flexible pricing options for landlords managing multiple properties.

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.