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All states

Montana short-term rental regulations

Montana · The Treasure State14 markets coveredUpdated Apr 19, 2026
Restriction mix14 markets
Prohibited0
Strict1 · 7%
Moderate9 · 64%
Sort
Strict

Heavy restrictions apply

1 market

Heavy regulation: caps, primary-residence rules, lottery permits, or night limits.

Kalispell

Montana

Strict

Kalispell allows short-term rentals in most residential and business zones subject to a 2% city-wide cap and a primary residence requirement in 'R' zones.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $1660.1% tax
Moderate

Permit required · STRs broadly allowed

9 markets

Permit + tax registration required; otherwise STRs are broadly allowed.

Whitefish

Montana

Moderate

Short-term rentals (Tourist Homes) are strictly regulated in Whitefish and are only permitted in specific high-density residential and commercial zones (WR-3,...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $7500.1% tax

Missoula

Montana

Moderate

The City of Missoula regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes,' requiring a one-time zoning permit and an annual city business license.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $4130.1% tax

Red Lodge

Montana

Moderate

Red Lodge requires all short-term rentals to obtain a local STR permit and a state-level DPHHS license.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $5000.1% tax

Billings

Montana

Moderate

Billings requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual STR permit and a city business license, pass safety inspections, and collect state lodging taxes.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $3000.1% tax

West Yellowstone

Montana

Moderate

West Yellowstone regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.32 of the Municipal Code, requiring an annual permit and life-safety inspections.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $3000.1% tax

Bozeman

Montana

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Bozeman are strictly regulated based on occupancy type and zoning.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $2500.1% tax

Gardiner

Montana

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Gardiner must obtain a state health license, comply with Park County zoning (Tourist Home designation), and pay the local resort tax.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $400.1% tax

West Glacier

Montana

Moderate

Short-term rentals in West Glacier are regulated under the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System (CALURS) and require both county land-use approval and a...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $5050.1% tax

Columbia Falls

Montana

Moderate

Columbia Falls requires a city Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP) or a full Conditional Use Permit (CUP), a state public health license, and a city...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $3250.1% tax
Permissive

Light-touch rules · STRs welcome

4 markets

Minimal restrictions: basic registration, no permit caps, no night limits.

Park County

MontanaCounty

Permissive

Unincorporated Park County does not have a specific 'STR license' but regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes' through the zoning code.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $5000.1% tax

Helena

Montana

Permissive

Helena does not have a specific STR ordinance but requires a general city business license and a state-mandated Public Accommodation License administered...

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $100.1% tax

Livingston

Montana

Permissive

Livingston currently does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance but classifies them under general business and zoning 'Tourist Home' definitions.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
0.1% tax

Gallatin County

MontanaCounty

Permissive

Unincorporated Gallatin County does not have a centralized short-term rental permit; however, most rentals fall under the state definition of a 'Tourist Home.

Permit requiredNight limitPrimary residence
Permit fee $400.1% tax
Permissive4 · 29%

Neighboring states & common comparisons

Idaho8 marketsSouth Dakota6 marketsWyoming4 marketsNorth Dakota3 markets

Disclaimer: Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your local planning department before operating a short-term rental.