Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Park County, MT?

**Yes**, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required to operate a short-term rental, defined as a 'Tourist Home,' in unincorporated Park County. You need to submit plans to the County Planning Department and attend a public hearing for approval. This is managed through the zoning code.

What is the TOT tax rate in Park County, MT?

**8%** is the state lodging tax rate applicable to short-term rentals in Park County. While there is no local county tax, you are required to register for Montana's state lodging taxes. Major platforms like Airbnb and VRBO often collect and remit this on your behalf, but confirm with the platform.

How much does an STR permit cost in Park County, MT?

**Approximately $500** is the one-time fee associated with obtaining a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Tourist Home in Park County. This fee covers the administrative costs associated with the public hearing and plan review process conducted by the County Planning Department before approval of your short-term rental operation.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Park County, MT?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in unincorporated Park County but are regulated as 'Tourist Homes' through the zoning code. You must obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to operate legally. This involves submitting plans to the County Planning Department and attending a public hearing for approval.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Park County, MT?

**Operating without** the required Conditional Use Permit can result in enforcement actions by Park County. As short-term rentals are regulated as Tourist Homes, operating without the necessary CUP is a zoning violation. Contact the Park County Planning Department to ensure compliance with local regulations and avoid potential penalties.

Park County

Permissive

MontanaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 2 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 2

Summary

Plain-english overview

Unincorporated Park County does not have a specific 'STR license' but regulates short-term rentals as 'Tourist Homes' through the zoning code. Most properties require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which involves a public hearing and one-time fee of approximately $500.

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in unincorporated Park County (outside city limits), you must treat your property as a 'Tourist Home.' This requires a Conditional Use Permit, which involves submitting plans to the County Planning Department and attending a public hearing for approval. While there is no local county tax, you must register for Montana's state lodging taxes (8% total), though major platforms like Airbnb often collect this for you.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$500

Processing time90-120 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify you are in an UNINCORPORATED area; Livingston and Gardiner have significantly different rules.
2Tourist Homes are 'Conditional Uses,' meaning approval is not guaranteed and requires neighbor notification.
3Septic system capacity is a major hurdle; the county will limit occupancy based on your septic permit.
4The CUP process is slow and can take up to 4 months to complete.
5There is no annual renewal fee, but the permit is tied to the property use as approved.
6Property owners must register with the MT Dept of Revenue even if the platform remits taxes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Park County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Park County prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Campers (per 2026 No Camping on Public Rights-of-Way ordinance limits).
Park County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Cabins, Condos, Townhomes.

Requirements14 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Park County: 1. Jurisdiction Check: Ensure you are in unincorporated Park County and not within Livingston city limits, as rules differ. 2. Resort Tax Districts: Gardiner and Cooke City have extra local taxes (3-4%) that must be remitted seasonally or quarterly. 3. Septic Limits: Your maximum guest count is strictly limited by the capacity of your permitted septic system, not just the number of beds. 4. State Health License: The DPHHS Public Accommodation license is mandatory for all stays under 30 days and requires an on-site inspection. 5. Guest Registry: Montana law requires you to keep a physical or digital guest log with names and dates for at least one year. 6. Well Water Testing: If your rental uses a private well, you must provide water quality test results as part of the licensing process. 7. Private Covenants: Most STR restrictions in Park County come from private subdivision HOAs rather than the county government.

Application process5 rules

Park County STR permit - Step 3: Check Local Resort Tax Districts. If the property is in Gardiner or Cooke City, register for the local Resort Tax (3-4%). Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs1 rule

Park County charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Park County: Resort Tax Districts: Gardiner and Cooke City have extra local taxes (3-4%) that must be remitted seasonally or quarterly.
Park County charges a Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax of 8%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.

Limits & restrictions2 rules

Park County: Septic Limits: Your maximum guest count is strictly limited by the capacity of your permitted septic system, not just the number of beds.
Park County: Jurisdiction Check: Ensure you are in unincorporated Park County and not within Livingston city limits, as rules differ.

Safety requirements1 rule

Park County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection.

Penalties1 rule

Park County enforces penalties: First offense: Varies by state health code enforcement.

Exemptions2 rules

Park County exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals 30+ days (county).
Park County: 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 Park County

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Contact Planning Department

Discuss the specific zoning of your property to determine if a 'Tourist Home' is a conditional use in your district.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Submit a formal CUP application including site plans and septic verification to the Planning Department.

30-60 days$500

Documents needed

Septic approval
Floor plan
Site plan

Step 3

Public Hearing

Attend a public hearing where neighbors and the Planning Board review the application. Final approval is granted by the County Commission.

30 daysFree

Step 4

Register with State Revenue

1 weekFree

Official resource

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

Park County

Permissive

MontanaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 2 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 2

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 0

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

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$500

Processing time90-120 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify you are in an UNINCORPORATED area; Livingston and Gardiner have significantly different rules.
2Tourist Homes are 'Conditional Uses,' meaning approval is not guaranteed and requires neighbor notification.
3Septic system capacity is a major hurdle; the county will limit occupancy based on your septic permit.
4The CUP process is slow and can take up to 4 months to complete.
5There is no annual renewal fee, but the permit is tied to the property use as approved.
6Property owners must register with the MT Dept of Revenue even if the platform remits taxes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Park County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Park County prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tents, RVs, Campers (per 2026 No Camping on Public Rights-of-Way ordinance limits).
Park County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Cabins, Condos, Townhomes.

Requirements14 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Park County: 1. Jurisdiction Check: Ensure you are in unincorporated Park County and not within Livingston city limits, as rules differ. 2. Resort Tax Districts: Gardiner and Cooke City have extra local taxes (3-4%) that must be remitted seasonally or quarterly. 3. Septic Limits: Your maximum guest count is strictly limited by the capacity of your permitted septic system, not just the number of beds. 4. State Health License: The DPHHS Public Accommodation license is mandatory for all stays under 30 days and requires an on-site inspection. 5. Guest Registry: Montana law requires you to keep a physical or digital guest log with names and dates for at least one year. 6. Well Water Testing: If your rental uses a private well, you must provide water quality test results as part of the licensing process. 7. Private Covenants: Most STR restrictions in Park County come from private subdivision HOAs rather than the county government.

Application process5 rules

Park County STR permit - Step 3: Check Local Resort Tax Districts. If the property is in Gardiner or Cooke City, register for the local Resort Tax (3-4%). Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs1 rule

Park County charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Park County: Resort Tax Districts: Gardiner and Cooke City have extra local taxes (3-4%) that must be remitted seasonally or quarterly.
Park County charges a Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax of 8%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.

Limits & restrictions2 rules

Park County: Septic Limits: Your maximum guest count is strictly limited by the capacity of your permitted septic system, not just the number of beds.
Park County: Jurisdiction Check: Ensure you are in unincorporated Park County and not within Livingston city limits, as rules differ.

Safety requirements1 rule

Park County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection.

Penalties1 rule

Park County enforces penalties: First offense: Varies by state health code enforcement.

Exemptions2 rules

Park County exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals 30+ days (county).
Park County: 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 Park County

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Contact Planning Department

Discuss the specific zoning of your property to determine if a 'Tourist Home' is a conditional use in your district.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Submit a formal CUP application including site plans and septic verification to the Planning Department.

30-60 days$500

Documents needed

Septic approval
Floor plan
Site plan

Step 3

Public Hearing

Attend a public hearing where neighbors and the Planning Board review the application. Final approval is granted by the County Commission.

30 daysFree

Step 4

Register with State Revenue

1 weekFree

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Contact Planning Department

Submit Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Public Hearing

Register with State Revenue

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Park County, MT?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Park County, MT?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Park County, MT?

4Are short-term rentals allowed in Park County, MT?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Park County, MT?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Contact Planning Department

Submit Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Public Hearing

Register with State Revenue

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Park County, MT?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Park County, MT?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Park County, MT?

4Are short-term rentals allowed in Park County, MT?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Park County, MT?

Disclaimer