Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Red Lodge?

**Yes**, Red Lodge requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit for all rentals. You need to obtain this local permit, which costs $500. Additionally, a state-level DPHHS license is also mandatory for operating a short-term rental in Red Lodge, Montana. Ensure compliance with all local regulations.

What is the TOT tax rate in Red Lodge?

**4% Resort Tax** is the local transient occupancy tax rate in Red Lodge. You are responsible for collecting this tax from guests. It must be remitted to the city in addition to any state lodging taxes. Be sure to consult with the local finance department for any clarification on this.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Red Lodge?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Red Lodge, Montana, provided that you obtain the required permits and licenses. This includes both a local STR permit and a state-level DPHHS license. Ensure that you adhere to all local regulations and zoning laws before listing your property for rent.

How much does an STR permit cost in Red Lodge?

**$500** is the cost of the Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit in Red Lodge. You need to obtain this permit to legally operate a short-term rental within the city. Make sure to factor this fee into your budget when planning to rent out your property on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Red Lodge?

**No**, renters are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Red Lodge. The regulations specify that only property owners are eligible to apply for and obtain the required Short-Term Rental Permit. Therefore, tenants are prohibited from subletting their rented properties as short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.

Red Lodge

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Mar 28, 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

Red Lodge requires all short-term rentals to obtain a local STR permit and a state-level DPHHS license. Hosts must collect and remit a 4% local Resort Tax in addition to state lodging taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $500
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 Red Lodge, you must first get a health license from the State of Montana. Once you have that, you apply for a City STR permit which involves a $500 fee and a home safety inspection. You are required to limit your guests based on the number of bedrooms you have and collect a 4% 'Resort Tax' from every booking. Permits must be renewed every year for a $100 fee.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$500

Processing time30-45 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You MUST have a Montana State DPHHS license before the city will approve your local permit.
2The 4% Resort Tax is separate from the state lodging tax and must be remitted directly to the City of Red Lodge.
3Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.
4A local property manager or contact person must be available 24/7 and respond within 60 minutes.
5Short-term rentals are NOT allowed in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) unless the ADU is the primary use of the land.
6The Resort Tax recently increased from 3% to 4% effective July 1, 2024; older guides may still list the lower rate.
7Verify if you are inside City Limits; properties just outside Red Lodge in Carbon County follow different rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Red Lodge, MT: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Red Lodge: Short-term rentals are NOT allowed in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) unless the ADU is the primary use of the land.
Red Lodge prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (unless specifically approved as principal use), Travel trailers, Tents.

Requirements17 rules

Red Lodge STR warning: Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.

Application process12 rules

Red Lodge extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee is $100; initial application fee is $500.
Red Lodge, MT: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan with egress shown, Proof of MT State Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) license, Safety inspection checklist, Property management contact info, Resort Tax registration.

Fees & costs1 rule

Red Lodge charges a registration fee of $500 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Annual renewal fee is $100; initial application fee is $500.).

Taxes4 rules

Red Lodge: The Resort Tax recently increased from 3% to 4% effective July 1, 2024; older guides may still list the lower rate.
Montana has a state sales tax of 4% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Red Lodge, MT occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Red Lodge: Verify if you are inside City Limits; properties just outside Red Lodge in Carbon County follow different rules.
Red Lodge: Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.

Safety requirements1 rule

Red Lodge requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Must have state DPHHS Public Accommodation license, Working landline phone if cell service is unreliable, Property must meet current building and fire codes.

Penalties3 rules

Red Lodge enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Written warning and potential fine. Second offense: Fine up to $500. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $100 - $500. Maximum fine: $500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Red Lodge: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

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

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

Red Lodge

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Mar 28, 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

Red Lodge requires all short-term rentals to obtain a local STR permit and a state-level DPHHS license. Hosts must collect and remit a 4% local Resort Tax in addition to state lodging taxes.

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $500
Tenants cannot host
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$500

Processing time30-45 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You MUST have a Montana State DPHHS license before the city will approve your local permit.
2The 4% Resort Tax is separate from the state lodging tax and must be remitted directly to the City of Red Lodge.
3Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.
4A local property manager or contact person must be available 24/7 and respond within 60 minutes.
5Short-term rentals are NOT allowed in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) unless the ADU is the primary use of the land.
6The Resort Tax recently increased from 3% to 4% effective July 1, 2024; older guides may still list the lower rate.
7Verify if you are inside City Limits; properties just outside Red Lodge in Carbon County follow different rules.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Red Lodge, MT: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Red Lodge: Short-term rentals are NOT allowed in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) unless the ADU is the primary use of the land.
Red Lodge prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (unless specifically approved as principal use), Travel trailers, Tents.

Requirements17 rules

Red Lodge STR warning: Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.

Application process12 rules

Red Lodge extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee is $100; initial application fee is $500.
Red Lodge, MT: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan with egress shown, Proof of MT State Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS) license, Safety inspection checklist, Property management contact info, Resort Tax registration.

Fees & costs1 rule

Red Lodge charges a registration fee of $500 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Annual renewal fee is $100; initial application fee is $500.).

Taxes4 rules

Red Lodge: The Resort Tax recently increased from 3% to 4% effective July 1, 2024; older guides may still list the lower rate.
Montana has a state sales tax of 4% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions7 rules

Red Lodge, MT occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Red Lodge: Verify if you are inside City Limits; properties just outside Red Lodge in Carbon County follow different rules.
Red Lodge: Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total.

Safety requirements1 rule

Red Lodge requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Must have state DPHHS Public Accommodation license, Working landline phone if cell service is unreliable, Property must meet current building and fire codes.

Penalties3 rules

Red Lodge enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Written warning and potential fine. Second offense: Fine up to $500. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $100 - $500. Maximum fine: $500 per day. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Red Lodge: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

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

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

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Red Lodge?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Red Lodge?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Red Lodge?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Red Lodge?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Red Lodge?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Red Lodge?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Red Lodge?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Red Lodge?

Disclaimer