What are the permit fees in Columbia Falls?

Neighbor notification: The city notifies all neighbors within 150 feet of your intent to operate an STR during the ACUP process.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Columbia Falls?

R-1 Zoning: If your property is in the R-1 zone, an ACUP is not enough; you must apply for a full Conditional Use Permit, which involves a Planning Board hearing and City Council approval.

What should Columbia Falls hosts know about property tax hike: montana law?

Property Tax Hike: Montana law passed in 2025 significantly increases property taxes on non-primary residence STRs (non-homestead rate) starting in 2026.

What are the key requirements for Columbia Falls hosts?

Local Manager: You must provide a local contact person who lives within 60 miles of the property.

Columbia Falls

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Apr 2, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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 business license for all short-term rentals.

Restriction level

Severity 16

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $325
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To operate an STR in Columbia Falls, you must apply for a specific zoning permit (ACUP) and undergo inspections from both the Fire Department and County Health Department. You also need a state-issued 'Tourist Home' license and a city business registration. Note that properties in R-1 zones face a more complex public hearing process for approval.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$325

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Neighbor notification: The city notifies all neighbors within 150 feet of your intent to operate an STR during the ACUP process.
2R-1 Zoning: If your property is in the R-1 zone, an ACUP is not enough; you must apply for a full Conditional Use Permit, which involves a Planning Board hearing and City Council approval.
3Property Tax Hike: Montana law passed in 2025 significantly increases property taxes on non-primary residence STRs (non-homestead rate) starting in 2026.
4Local Manager: You must provide a local contact person who lives within 60 miles of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Columbia Falls does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Columbia Falls allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment, Residential unit.
Columbia Falls: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements11 rules

Columbia Falls requires STR registration. The permit is called "Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP)". Apply through Planning & Zoning Department. Processing time: 4-8 weeks. Renewal is required.
Columbia Falls STR warning: Neighbor notification: The city notifies all neighbors within 150 feet of your intent to operate an STR during the ACUP process.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Columbia Falls: To operate an STR in Columbia Falls, you must apply for a specific zoning permit (ACUP) and undergo inspections from both the Fire Department and County Health Department. You also need a state-issued 'Tourist Home' license and a city business registration. Note that properties in R-1 zones face a more complex public hearing process for approval.

Fees & costs2 rules

Columbia Falls charges a registration fee of $325 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Annual City Business License fee is $100; ACUP fee of $325 is one-time.).
Columbia Falls: Neighbor notification: The city notifies all neighbors within 150 feet of your intent to operate an STR during the ACUP process.

Taxes3 rules

Columbia Falls charges a Columbia Falls Resort Tax of 0.03%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO generally collect and remit the 3% resort tax and 8% state tax.
Montana has a state sales tax of 0.08% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Columbia Falls enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Columbia Falls occupancy calculation: Limited by State Public Health License capacity and fire safety egress. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Columbia Falls limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: Limited by State Public Health License capacity and fire safety egress

Safety requirements1 rule

Columbia Falls requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window compliance, 2 off-street parking spaces minimum, Local contact person within 60 miles available 24/7.

Penalties2 rules

Columbia Falls enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning or fine. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Columbia Falls: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Columbia Falls exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Columbia Falls: 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 Columbia Falls

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

State Business & Tax Registration

Register the business name or DBA with the MT Secretary of State and register with the MT Department of Revenue for the 8% Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax.

1 week$20

Documents needed

Tax ID
Business Name registration

Official resource

Step 2

State Public Health License (Tourist Home)

Apply through Flathead City-County Health Department for a 'Tourist Home' license. This involves a plan review and health inspection.

2-4 weeks$320

Documents needed

Floor plan
Water/Septic approval
Health application form

Official resource

Step 3

City Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP)

Submit the ACUP application to the Columbia Falls Planning Department. This includes fire and zoning inspections.

2-4 weeks$400

Documents needed

State Health license proof
Fire inspection checklist
Site plan showing parking

Official resource

Step 4

City Business Registration

Once the ACUP is approved, obtain the annual city business license to finalize legal operation.

1 week$100

Documents needed

Approved ACUP
Business License application

Official resource

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

Columbia Falls

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Apr 2, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 16

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $325
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

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$325

Processing time4-8 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Neighbor notification: The city notifies all neighbors within 150 feet of your intent to operate an STR during the ACUP process.
2R-1 Zoning: If your property is in the R-1 zone, an ACUP is not enough; you must apply for a full Conditional Use Permit, which involves a Planning Board hearing and City Council approval.
3Property Tax Hike: Montana law passed in 2025 significantly increases property taxes on non-primary residence STRs (non-homestead rate) starting in 2026.
4Local Manager: You must provide a local contact person who lives within 60 miles of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Columbia Falls does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Columbia Falls allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment, Residential unit.
Columbia Falls: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements11 rules

Columbia Falls requires STR registration. The permit is called "Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP)". Apply through Planning & Zoning Department. Processing time: 4-8 weeks. Renewal is required.
Columbia Falls STR warning: Neighbor notification: The city notifies all neighbors within 150 feet of your intent to operate an STR during the ACUP process.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Columbia Falls: To operate an STR in Columbia Falls, you must apply for a specific zoning permit (ACUP) and undergo inspections from both the Fire Department and County Health Department. You also need a state-issued 'Tourist Home' license and a city business registration. Note that properties in R-1 zones face a more complex public hearing process for approval.

Fees & costs2 rules

Columbia Falls charges a registration fee of $325 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Annual City Business License fee is $100; ACUP fee of $325 is one-time.).
Columbia Falls: Neighbor notification: The city notifies all neighbors within 150 feet of your intent to operate an STR during the ACUP process.

Taxes3 rules

Columbia Falls charges a Columbia Falls Resort Tax of 0.03%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO generally collect and remit the 3% resort tax and 8% state tax.
Montana has a state sales tax of 0.08% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Columbia Falls enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Columbia Falls occupancy calculation: Limited by State Public Health License capacity and fire safety egress. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Columbia Falls limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: Limited by State Public Health License capacity and fire safety egress

Safety requirements1 rule

Columbia Falls requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window compliance, 2 off-street parking spaces minimum, Local contact person within 60 miles available 24/7.

Penalties2 rules

Columbia Falls enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning or fine. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Columbia Falls: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Columbia Falls exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Columbia Falls: 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 Columbia Falls

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

State Business & Tax Registration

Register the business name or DBA with the MT Secretary of State and register with the MT Department of Revenue for the 8% Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax.

1 week$20

Documents needed

Tax ID
Business Name registration

Official resource

Step 2

State Public Health License (Tourist Home)

Apply through Flathead City-County Health Department for a 'Tourist Home' license. This involves a plan review and health inspection.

2-4 weeks$320

Documents needed

Floor plan
Water/Septic approval
Health application form

Official resource

Step 3

City Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP)

Submit the ACUP application to the Columbia Falls Planning Department. This includes fire and zoning inspections.

2-4 weeks$400

Documents needed

State Health license proof
Fire inspection checklist
Site plan showing parking

Official resource

Step 4

City Business Registration

Once the ACUP is approved, obtain the annual city business license to finalize legal operation.

1 week$100

Documents needed

Approved ACUP
Business License application

Official resource

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

State Business & Tax Registration

State Public Health License (Tourist Home)

City Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP)

City Business Registration

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Columbia Falls?

3Are there rental night limits in Columbia Falls?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Columbia Falls?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

State Business & Tax Registration

State Public Health License (Tourist Home)

City Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP)

City Business Registration

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Columbia Falls?

3Are there rental night limits in Columbia Falls?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Columbia Falls?

Disclaimer