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  1. Home
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  7. West Glacier

West Glacier

Moderate
MontanaUpdated Apr 8, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in West Glacier are regulated under the Canyon Area Land Use Regulatory System (CALURS) and require both county land-use approval and a state-issued Public Accommodation License.

Restriction level

Severity 33
Classification
Moderate
33
Severity

Why this classification

  • High permit fee: $505
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in West Glacier, you must obtain a Minor Land Use Review or Administrative Conditional Use Permit from Flathead County, along with a Tourist Home license from the state health department. You are required to notify neighbors via certified mail and must provide a 24/7 local contact who can respond to issues within one hour. Additionally, properties in this area must use bear-proof trash containers and provide fire safety information to guests.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$505
Processing time30-45 days

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Bear-proof trash containers are mandatory for all STRs in the Canyon/West Glacier area.
  2. 2A local contact must be available 24/7 and capable of arriving at the property within 60 minutes.
  3. 3Certified mail receipts for neighbor notification within 150 feet must be submitted with the application.
  4. 4West Glacier is a designated 'Community Center' under CALURS, which allows duplexes but limits them to two STR units.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • West Glacier prohibits STRs in the following property types: Guest Cottage (without kitchen facilities), ADUs in certain restricted zones.
  • West Glacier: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • West Glacier: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Requirements11 rules
  • Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in West Glacier: 1. Bear-proof trash containers are mandatory for all STRs in the Canyon/West Glacier area. 2. A local contact must be available 24/7 and capable of arriving at the property within 60 minutes. 3. Certified mail receipts for neighbor notification within 150 feet must be submitted with the application. 4. West Glacier is a designated 'Community Center' under CALURS, which allows duplexes but limits them to two STR units.
Application process9 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in West Glacier: Step 1: Apply for State Tourist Home License - Submit a Tourist Home Plan Review application to the Flathead City-County Health Department to obtain the required Montana DPHHS Public Accommodation License. Documents needed: Plan review application, Floor plan, Septic/Sewer proof. Estimated time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 150. More info: https://flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/health/environmental-health/sleeping-accommodations Step 2: Request Adjoining Property Owners List - Obtain an official list of all property owners within 150 feet of the rental property from the County GIS department. Documents needed: Property address, Legal description. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 75. More info: https://flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/planning-zoning/zoning-information Step 3: Notify Neighbors - Send a notification letter via certified mail to all property owners on the GIS list. The letter must include property manager contact info and a 24/7 emergency number. Documents needed: Notification letter, Certified mail receipts. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 50. Step 4: Submit County STR Application - File the Administrative Conditional Use Permit or Minor Land Use Review application with the Flathead County Planning & Zoning Department. Documents needed: Completed application form, Floor plans, Site plans, Certified mail receipts. Estimated time: 4-6 weeks. Cost: 430. More info: https://flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/planning-zoning/zoning-information/short-term-rentals Step 5: Health and Safety Inspection - Schedule and pass a health and fire safety inspection conducted by the Flathead City-County Health Department. Documents needed: Bear-proof trash bins, Fire extinguishers, Smoke/CO detectors. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks.
Fees & costs2 rules
  • West Glacier: Certified mail receipts for neighbor notification within 150 feet must be submitted with the application.
  • West Glacier charges a registration fee of $505 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Includes $430 Planning fee and $75 GIS fee for neighbor lists. Annual State Tourist Home renewal is approximately $40-$100.).
Taxes1 rule
  • West Glacier charges a Montana Lodging Facility Sales and 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 lodging taxes.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • West Glacier limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • West Glacier: West Glacier is a designated 'Community Center' under CALURS, which allows duplexes but limits them to two STR units.
  • West Glacier enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
  • West Glacier occupancy calculation: Limited by septic/sewage capacity as determined by the Health Department. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • West Glacier requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Bear-proof trash containers, Fire safety brochure provided to guests, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, GFCI outlets near water sources.
Penalties2 rules
  • West Glacier enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Double Permit Fee. Second offense: Permit Suspension. Third offense: Permit Revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
  • West Glacier: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions2 rules
  • West Glacier exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Unzoned areas (planning permit not required, but state license is).
  • West Glacier: 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 West Glacier

0/5
steps completed
Step 1

Apply for State Tourist Home License

Submit a Tourist Home Plan Review application to the Flathead City-County Health Department to obtain the required Montana DPHHS Public Accommodation License.

2-4 weeks$150
Documents needed
  • Plan review application
  • Floor plan
  • Septic/Sewer proof
Official resource
Step 2

Request Adjoining Property Owners List

Obtain an official list of all property owners within 150 feet of the rental property from the County GIS department.

1 week$75
Documents needed
  • Property address
  • Legal description
Official resource
Step 3

Notify Neighbors

Send a notification letter via certified mail to all property owners on the GIS list. The letter must include property manager contact info and a 24/7 emergency number.

1 week$50
Documents needed
  • Notification letter
  • Certified mail receipts
Step 4

Submit County STR Application

File the Administrative Conditional Use Permit or Minor Land Use Review application with the Flathead County Planning & Zoning Department.

4-6 weeks$430
Documents needed
  • Completed application form
  • Floor plans
  • Site plans
  • Certified mail receipts
Official resource
Step 5

Health and Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a health and fire safety inspection conducted by the Flathead City-County Health Department.

1-2 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Bear-proof trash bins
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Smoke/CO detectors

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

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