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  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Montana
  6. ·
  7. Bozeman

Bozeman

Moderate
MontanaUpdated Feb 13, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Bozeman are strictly regulated based on occupancy type and zoning. All hosts must obtain an annual permit, with owner-occupied (Type 1) rentals having more flexibility than investment properties (Type 2/3).

Restriction level

Severity 21
Classification
Moderate
21
Severity

Why this classification

  • Standard permit fee: $250
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Bozeman, you must first determine if you live in the home full-time (Type 1) or if it is an investment property (Type 2 or 3). You'll need to apply for a city permit, pay a $250 fee, and pass a fire safety inspection. Don't forget that Bozeman charges a 4% local resort tax on top of the state lodging tax, and you are responsible for making sure this is paid monthly.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$250
Processing time2-4 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Type 2 rentals (non-owner occupied) are prohibited in R-S and R-1 residential zones.
  2. 2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built after 2017 are generally not allowed to be used as STRs.
  3. 3Bozeman's Resort Tax is 4% and is separate from the Montana State Lodging Tax.
  4. 4You must designate a local contact person who is available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 45 minutes.
  5. 5Permits must be renewed annually or they will expire, requiring a new application.
  6. 6Ensure you are within City Limits; if you are in 'Unincorporated Gallatin County,' these city rules do not apply.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility12 rules
  • Bozeman does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
  • Bozeman: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built after 2017 are generally not allowed to be used as STRs.
  • Bozeman allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, Multi-family dwelling, Townhouse.
Requirements19 rules
  • Bozeman: Hosts must report their rental activity null to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
  • Bozeman, MT has different permit classes: Type 1 (Owner-occupied, primary residence), Type 2 (Non-owner occupied, permitted in certain zones), Type 3 (Non-owner occupied, permitted in commercial/mixed-use zones). Hosted vs. unhosted rentals have different requirements.
Application process11 rules
  • Bozeman STR permit - Step 2: Prepare Documents. Gather proof of primary residence (if Type 1) and floor plans showing all exits and sleeping rooms. Required documents: Floor plans, Liability Insurance, Self-inspection form. Time: 3-5 days.
  • Bozeman extended permit requirement: Application fee is $250; Type 2 and 3 may have higher initial review costs.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Bozeman charges a registration fee of $250 (annual).
Taxes2 rules
  • Bozeman: Bozeman's Resort Tax is 4% and is separate from the Montana State Lodging Tax.
  • Bozeman charges a Resort Tax of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect the 4% MT State Lodging Tax, but hosts must ensure the local 4% Resort Tax is remitted to the city.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • Bozeman limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Bozeman, MT occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional persons. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Bozeman enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
  • Bozeman limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: 2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional persons
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Bozeman requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Hard-wired smoke detectors.
Penalties3 rules
  • Bozeman: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • Bozeman, MT: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions4 rules
  • Bozeman: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Bozeman exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
  • Bozeman: Ensure you are within City Limits; if you are in 'Unincorporated Gallatin County,' these city rules do not apply.

Frequently asked questions

5 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

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