What are the key requirements for Billings hosts?

Local contact MUST be a specific person, not an LLC or corporation, available 24/7.

What should Billings hosts know about billings is currently (2025) conducting?

Billings is currently (2025) conducting proactive enforcement with software to find unpermitted listings.

What are the key requirements for Billings hosts?

Advertising must include your Billings STR Permit number or you face immediate fines.

Are there rental limits in Billings?

Rentals are limited to 20% of units in multi-family buildings under single ownership.

Billings

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Apr 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 16

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $300
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an STR in Billings, you must register each property with the city, pay an annual fee, and provide a 24/7 local contact person. Your property must pass a fire and health inspection, and you are required by state law to collect 8% in lodging taxes. You cannot use accessory buildings like sheds or RVs as rentals.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$300

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Local contact MUST be a specific person, not an LLC or corporation, available 24/7.
2Billings is currently (2025) conducting proactive enforcement with software to find unpermitted listings.
3Advertising must include your Billings STR Permit number or you face immediate fines.
4Rentals are limited to 20% of units in multi-family buildings under single ownership.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Billings: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Billings allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family house, Two-unit dwelling, Townhouse, Condominium, Apartment.

Requirements13 rules

Billings STR warning: Local contact MUST be a specific person, not an LLC or corporation, available 24/7.
Billings STR warning: Rentals are limited to 20% of units in multi-family buildings under single ownership.
Billings requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Evidence of insurance coverage for short-term rental use is required for the application.

Application process8 rules

How to set up an STR in Billings: To host an STR in Billings, you must register each property with the city, pay an annual fee, and provide a 24/7 local contact person. Your property must pass a fire and health inspection, and you are required by state law to collect 8% in lodging taxes. You cannot use accessory buildings like sheds or RVs as rentals.

Fees & costs1 rule

Billings charges a registration fee of $300 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $55 (A separate City Business License is required for $55 annually.).

Taxes1 rule

Montana has a state sales tax of 0.08% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Billings: Rentals are limited to 20% of units in multi-family buildings under single ownership.
Billings occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Billings limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Billings enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Billings requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows, Guest register maintenance, Property tax status verification.

Penalties3 rules

Billings: Advertising must include your Billings STR Permit number or you face immediate fines.
Billings enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $300 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: $500 fine. Daily fine: $300-$500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Billings exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Billings: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Billings

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for City Business License

1 week$55

Documents needed

Owner/Business Info

Official resource

Step 2

Register with State Department of Revenue

Obtain a Montana Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax permit to remit required state taxes.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

FEIN or SSN

Official resource

Step 3

Submit STR Permit Application

Apply online through the City of Billings Citizen Access portal for the STR permit.

2-3 weeks$300

Documents needed

Proof of Insurance
Local Contact Info
Site Plan
Business License Number

Official resource

Step 4

Complete Fire and Safety Inspection

Schedule a life-safety inspection to ensure smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and CO detectors are in place.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

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 city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Billings

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Apr 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 16

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $300
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$300

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Local contact MUST be a specific person, not an LLC or corporation, available 24/7.
2Billings is currently (2025) conducting proactive enforcement with software to find unpermitted listings.
3Advertising must include your Billings STR Permit number or you face immediate fines.
4Rentals are limited to 20% of units in multi-family buildings under single ownership.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Billings: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Billings allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family house, Two-unit dwelling, Townhouse, Condominium, Apartment.

Requirements13 rules

Billings STR warning: Local contact MUST be a specific person, not an LLC or corporation, available 24/7.
Billings STR warning: Rentals are limited to 20% of units in multi-family buildings under single ownership.
Billings requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Evidence of insurance coverage for short-term rental use is required for the application.

Application process8 rules

How to set up an STR in Billings: To host an STR in Billings, you must register each property with the city, pay an annual fee, and provide a 24/7 local contact person. Your property must pass a fire and health inspection, and you are required by state law to collect 8% in lodging taxes. You cannot use accessory buildings like sheds or RVs as rentals.

Fees & costs1 rule

Billings charges a registration fee of $300 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $55 (A separate City Business License is required for $55 annually.).

Taxes1 rule

Montana has a state sales tax of 0.08% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Billings: Rentals are limited to 20% of units in multi-family buildings under single ownership.
Billings occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Billings limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Billings enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Billings requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows, Guest register maintenance, Property tax status verification.

Penalties3 rules

Billings: Advertising must include your Billings STR Permit number or you face immediate fines.
Billings enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $300 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: $500 fine. Daily fine: $300-$500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Billings exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Billings: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Billings

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for City Business License

1 week$55

Documents needed

Owner/Business Info

Official resource

Step 2

Register with State Department of Revenue

Obtain a Montana Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax permit to remit required state taxes.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

FEIN or SSN

Official resource

Step 3

Submit STR Permit Application

Apply online through the City of Billings Citizen Access portal for the STR permit.

2-3 weeks$300

Documents needed

Proof of Insurance
Local Contact Info
Site Plan
Business License Number

Official resource

Step 4

Complete Fire and Safety Inspection

Schedule a life-safety inspection to ensure smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and CO detectors are in place.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Apply for City Business License

Register with State Department of Revenue

Submit STR Permit Application

Complete Fire and Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Billings?

2What is the lodging tax rate in Billings?

3Are there specific property requirements for STRs in Billings?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Billings?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Apply for City Business License

Register with State Department of Revenue

Submit STR Permit Application

Complete Fire and Safety Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Billings?

2What is the lodging tax rate in Billings?

3Are there specific property requirements for STRs in Billings?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Billings?

Disclaimer