Short-Term Rental Life Safety Inspection

Why Golden View Home Inspections

I'm not just a certified home inspector — my wife and I own and operate short-term rentals in Colorado. I understand what it means to manage a rental property, keep it guest-ready, and stay on top of local requirements. When I inspect your STR, I'm looking at it the way an owner would: practically, efficiently, and with a clear eye for what matters.

I'm InterNACHI certified, which meets the requirement in both Arvada and Lakewood for a registered home inspector to complete the life safety checklist. No code inspector required — just a certified professional who knows what to look for.

Arvada STR Life Safety Inspection

- Smoke alarms — placement, working condition, and interconnection requirements

- Carbon monoxide alarms — placement relative to sleeping areas and fuel-burning appliances

- Fire extinguisher — minimum one operable extinguisher per floor (Type 2A:10BC)

- Egress and emergency escape — unobstructed path of travel and compliant rescue openings

- Electrical systems — properly installed and maintained in safe condition

- Plumbing and water heating — functional, safe, and meeting minimum temperature requirements

- Mechanical and heating equipment — operational and capable of maintaining 68°F year-round

- Habitable room dimensions — minimum size, ceiling height, lighting, and ventilation

- Stairways, decks, porches, and balconies — structurally sound and properly anchored

- Doors and hardware — secure, functional, and providing occupant privacy

- Pest and vermin — structures and spaces free of active infestation

- Address visibility — numbers clearly posted and visible from the street

Upon completion, you receive the signed checklist documenting the inspection results — Approved or Denied — ready to submit to the City of Arvada.

Pricing: $100

Property management companies and owners with multiple units: Contact me to discuss preferred pricing — volume arrangements are welcome.

Lakewood STR Life Safety Inspection

Lakewood's Short-Term Rental inspection requirement is narrower in scope than Arvada's, but it still requires a certified home inspector to complete and sign off the form. The Lakewood checklist (per Ordinance 5.55) covers four core life safety items:

- Smoke detectors — present and functional in all sleeping rooms

- Carbon monoxide detectors — present and functional on each floor

- Egress — basement egress window or exit present, if applicable

- Fire extinguisher — one per floor, present and accessible

The form is completed on-site and documents Pass or Fail against Lakewood's requirements. Your inspector's name, certification, member number, and expiration date are recorded on the form.

Pricing: $100

Property management companies and owners with multiple units: Contact me to discuss preferred pricing — volume arrangements are welcome.

Arvada vs. Lakewood — What's the Difference?

Both cities require a certified home inspector to complete and sign the life safety checklist — InterNACHI certification satisfies both requirements. The difference is in scope:

Arvada's checklist is comprehensive, covering 12 categories that touch everything from smoke alarms and egress to habitable room dimensions, plumbing, electrical, and structural elements like decks and balconies. It functions more like a focused habitability inspection layered on top of the core safety items.

Lakewood's checklist is focused on four life safety essentials: smoke detectors, CO detectors, egress, and fire extinguishers. It's a narrower scope — but it still requires a certified inspector to evaluate, complete, and sign. Knowing whether a smoke detector is correctly placed, whether egress actually meets code, or whether a fire extinguisher is the right type and properly mounted requires trained judgment. You can't self-certify, and a passing signature from an uncertified person won't satisfy the requirement.

The $100 flat rate covers both cities equally — because what you're paying for isn't the length of the checklist. It's the drive, the on-site evaluation, the signed documentation, and the professional liability that comes with putting a certified inspector's name on a municipal permit form. That's the same regardless of which city you're in.

Either way, the goal is the same: get the inspection done cleanly, get the paperwork signed, and get your permit issued.

Beyond Arvada and Lakewood — What's Coming

These two cities are ahead of the curve, but other Front Range and mountain communities are moving in the same direction. Short-term rental regulations are tightening across Colorado, and third-party life safety inspections are increasingly part of the permitting landscape.

If your municipality requires — or is moving toward requiring — a certified inspector for your STR permit, Golden View Home Inspections can help. I serve communities throughout Jefferson County, the Denver Metro area, and the Colorado Front Range and foothills. Reach out and I'll let you know if I can assist in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as a full home inspection? No. The STR life safety inspection follows a defined municipal checklist and focuses specifically on occupant safety and habitability requirements. It is narrower in scope than a standard buyer's or seller's inspection and is designed specifically for the short-term rental permitting process.

What certification is required to complete this inspection? Both Arvada and Lakewood require the inspection to be completed by a registered home inspector. InterNACHI certification satisfies this requirement for both cities — no municipal code inspector or special licensing is needed.

How long does the inspection take? Lakewood inspections typically take 30 to 45 minutes. Arvada inspections take approximately 45 to 60 minutes given the broader scope of the checklist. Both depend on the size and type of property.

What happens if my property doesn't pass? You'll receive a completed checklist documenting the items that need to be addressed. Once corrections are made, a re-inspection can be scheduled.

Are STR life safety inspections required every year? Yes. Both Arvada and Lakewood require annual renewal of your short-term rental permit, and the life safety inspection is part of that renewal process. It's not a one-time requirement — you'll need a signed inspection checklist each year to stay in compliance and keep your permit active.

Do you offer discounts for multiple units or repeat annual inspections? Yes. If you own or manage multiple STR units, or if you're coming back for your annual renewal, reach out to discuss preferred pricing. Volume relationships and repeat clients are welcome — managing a rental portfolio is already a lot to keep up with, and inspection costs shouldn't add friction to that.

What experience do you have with short-term rentals? My wife and I own and operate short-term rentals in Colorado, so I'm not approaching this from the outside. I understand what it takes to keep a unit guest-ready, how permits and compliance fit into managing a rental property, and what owners actually need from an inspection — which is a clean result and a signed form, efficiently. That context shapes how I approach every STR inspection.

How quickly can you turn around an STR inspection? Often within 24 hours of scheduling, assuming the unit is vacant or between guests. STR inspections are straightforward and don't require the same scheduling runway as a full buyer's inspection. If you have a permit deadline or a gap in your booking calendar you're working around, let me know — I'll do what I can to accommodate the timeline.

Do you serve STR properties outside of Arvada and Lakewood? Yes. As other municipalities adopt similar requirements, I'm available throughout my service area. Contact me to discuss your specific location and situation.

I manage multiple STR properties. Can you work with us on an ongoing basis? Absolutely — reach out to discuss preferred pricing and scheduling for property management companies and multi-unit owners.

Schedule Your STR Inspection

Short-term rental permits are required in Arvada and Lakewood, and the life safety inspection is part of that process. Don't let the permitting paperwork hold up your rental income.

Questions? Call or Text: 970-420-8291