Are there rental limits in Kalispell?

Permit cap: The city limits total residential STRs to 2% of the housing stock (approx 200 units).

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Kalispell?

Primary Residence: In 'R' residential zones, the property MUST be the owner's primary residence.

What are the permit fees in Kalispell?

Notification: Neighbors within 150 feet are notified and given 15 days to comment on new applications.

What should Kalispell hosts know about no transfer: permits do not?

No Transfer: Permits do not transfer to new owners upon sale of the property.

Kalispell

Strict

MontanaUpdated Apr 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 76

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Standard permit fee: $166
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an STR in Kalispell, you must obtain an Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP) and a city business license. In residential zones, the property must be your primary residence, and the total number of permits city-wide is capped at 2% of residential units.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$166

Processing time4-6 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Permit cap: The city limits total residential STRs to 2% of the housing stock (approx 200 units).
2Primary Residence: In 'R' residential zones, the property MUST be the owner's primary residence.
3Notification: Neighbors within 150 feet are notified and given 15 days to comment on new applications.
4No Transfer: Permits do not transfer to new owners upon sale of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Kalispell allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse, Condo.
Kalispell: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Kalispell does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements12 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Kalispell: 1. Permit cap: The city limits total residential STRs to 2% of the housing stock (approx 200 units). 2. Primary Residence: In 'R' residential zones, the property MUST be the owner's primary residence. 3. Notification: Neighbors within 150 feet are notified and given 15 days to comment on new applications. 4. No Transfer: Permits do not transfer to new owners upon sale of the property.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Kalispell: To host an STR in Kalispell, you must obtain an Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP) and a city business license. In residential zones, the property must be your primary residence, and the total number of permits city-wide is capped at 2% of residential units.

Fees & costs2 rules

Kalispell charges a registration fee of $166 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $166 (Annual renewal fee is equal to the ACUP fee then in effect.).
Kalispell: Notification: Neighbors within 150 feet are notified and given 15 days to comment on new applications.

Taxes2 rules

Montana has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.
Kalispell charges a Montana Lodging Facility Sales & Use Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the 8% state tax directly.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Kalispell occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom + 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Kalispell enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Kalispell limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 additional guests
Kalispell: Permit cap: The city limits total residential STRs to 2% of the housing stock (approx 200 units).

Safety requirements1 rule

Kalispell 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 with battery backup, Properly sized parking spaces on paved surface.

Penalties2 rules

Kalispell: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Kalispell enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code enforcement. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Revocation of permit. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Kalispell

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

State Health License

Apply for a Public Accommodation License (Tourist Home) through the Flathead City-County Health Department.

2-3 weeks$40

Documents needed

State application form

Official resource

Step 2

Zoning Verification

Verify your property's zoning and ensure it is not subject to HOA covenants that prohibit STRs.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 3

Submit ACUP Application

Submit the Short Term Residential Rental Application to the Kalispell Planning Department.

4-6 weeks$166

Documents needed

Site plan
Floor plan
Proof of primary residence
State Health License

Official resource

Step 4

Fire Inspection

Schedule and pass a Life Safety Inspection with the Kalispell Fire Department.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

Step 5

City Business License

Once the ACUP is granted, obtain a standard City of Kalispell Business License.

1 week$50

Documents needed

Approved ACUP

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

Kalispell

Strict

MontanaUpdated Apr 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 76

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Standard permit fee: $166
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$166

Processing time4-6 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Permit cap: The city limits total residential STRs to 2% of the housing stock (approx 200 units).
2Primary Residence: In 'R' residential zones, the property MUST be the owner's primary residence.
3Notification: Neighbors within 150 feet are notified and given 15 days to comment on new applications.
4No Transfer: Permits do not transfer to new owners upon sale of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Kalispell allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Duplex, Townhouse, Condo.
Kalispell: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Kalispell does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements12 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Kalispell: 1. Permit cap: The city limits total residential STRs to 2% of the housing stock (approx 200 units). 2. Primary Residence: In 'R' residential zones, the property MUST be the owner's primary residence. 3. Notification: Neighbors within 150 feet are notified and given 15 days to comment on new applications. 4. No Transfer: Permits do not transfer to new owners upon sale of the property.

Application process9 rules

How to set up an STR in Kalispell: To host an STR in Kalispell, you must obtain an Administrative Conditional Use Permit (ACUP) and a city business license. In residential zones, the property must be your primary residence, and the total number of permits city-wide is capped at 2% of residential units.

Fees & costs2 rules

Kalispell charges a registration fee of $166 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $166 (Annual renewal fee is equal to the ACUP fee then in effect.).
Kalispell: Notification: Neighbors within 150 feet are notified and given 15 days to comment on new applications.

Taxes2 rules

Montana has a state sales tax of 0.04% that applies to STR rentals.
Kalispell charges a Montana Lodging Facility Sales & Use Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect and remit the 8% state tax directly.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Kalispell occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom + 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Kalispell enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Kalispell limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 additional guests
Kalispell: Permit cap: The city limits total residential STRs to 2% of the housing stock (approx 200 units).

Safety requirements1 rule

Kalispell 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 with battery backup, Properly sized parking spaces on paved surface.

Penalties2 rules

Kalispell: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Kalispell enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by code enforcement. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Revocation of permit. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Kalispell

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

State Health License

Apply for a Public Accommodation License (Tourist Home) through the Flathead City-County Health Department.

2-3 weeks$40

Documents needed

State application form

Official resource

Step 2

Zoning Verification

Verify your property's zoning and ensure it is not subject to HOA covenants that prohibit STRs.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 3

Submit ACUP Application

Submit the Short Term Residential Rental Application to the Kalispell Planning Department.

4-6 weeks$166

Documents needed

Site plan
Floor plan
Proof of primary residence
State Health License

Official resource

Step 4

Fire Inspection

Schedule and pass a Life Safety Inspection with the Kalispell Fire Department.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

Step 5

City Business License

Once the ACUP is granted, obtain a standard City of Kalispell Business License.

1 week$50

Documents needed

Approved ACUP

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 Health License

Zoning Verification

Submit ACUP Application

Fire Inspection

City Business License

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Kalispell?

3Are there residency requirements for Kalispell rentals?

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

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 Health License

Zoning Verification

Submit ACUP Application

Fire Inspection

City Business License

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Kalispell?

3Are there residency requirements for Kalispell rentals?

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

Disclaimer