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

**Yes**, Whitefish requires a Short-Term Rental Permit, also known as a Tourist Home permit, to operate legally. You need to ensure your property is located in a permitted zone (WR-3, WR-4, WB-1, WB-2, WB-3, and WCR). After that, you must apply and pass inspections from the city.

What is the TOT tax rate in Whitefish?

**11% TOT** is the total tax rate applicable to short-term rentals in Whitefish. This is comprised of a 3% City Resort Tax and an 8% State Lodging Tax. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the appropriate authorities on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Whitefish?

**Yes**, short-term rentals, or Tourist Homes, are allowed but with significant restrictions in Whitefish. They are only permitted in specific zoning districts, including WR-3, WR-4, WB-1, WB-2, WB-3, and WCR. Rentals are banned in the more common residential zones, such as WR-1 and WR-2, so check zoning carefully.

How much does an STR permit cost in Whitefish?

**$750** is the one-time application fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Whitefish. In addition to this initial fee, hosts must also obtain an annual business license, which costs $100 per year. These fees are required to legally operate a tourist home within the city limits.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Whitefish?

**No**, the regulations do not explicitly address whether tenants can host on Airbnb in Whitefish. It's important to review your lease agreement and obtain permission from the property owner before listing a rental property on short-term rental platforms. Contact the city planning department for clarification.

Whitefish

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (Tourist Homes) are strictly regulated in Whitefish and are only permitted in specific high-density residential and commercial zones (WR-3, WR-4, WB-1, WB-2, WB-3, and WCR). Hosts must obtain a one-time STR permit, an annual business license, and a State of Montana Public Accommodations license, while paying an 11% total tax rate (3% City Resort Tax + 8% State Lodging Tax).

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $750
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 the City of Whitefish, you must first verify your property is in a permitted zone, as rentals are banned in the most common residential zones (WR-1 and WR-2). You need three different approvals: a state health license, a city fire inspection, and a city STR permit. There is a significant one-time application fee of $750, plus a $100 annual business license. Once active, you are responsible for making sure guests follow quiet hours and that you never exceed the 10-guest limit.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$750

Processing time4-6 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1STRs are strictly PROHIBITED in WR-1 and WR-2 zones (standard low-density residential).
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built after 2019 cannot be used as short-term rentals.
3A State of Montana Public Accommodation license is required BEFORE the city will issue a permit.
4The 3% City Resort Tax is mandatory and must be collected on all stays under 30 days.
5There is a strict occupancy cap of 10 people regardless of home size.
6Failure to obtain a permit can result in daily fines of $500.
7One-time permit fee is $750, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Whitefish does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Whitefish prohibits STRs in the following property types: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Recreational Vehicles, Tents.
Whitefish: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Whitefish allows STRs in the following property types: House, Townhouse, Condo, Apartment.

Requirements16 rules

Whitefish requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Confirmation of liability insurance required during business registration.
Whitefish STR warning: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or 'guest houses' cannot be used for short-term rentals in Whitefish.

Application process9 rules

Whitefish STR permit - Step 4: Schedule Fire Inspection. The Fire Marshal will contact you to schedule the mandatory annual inspection. Time: 1-2 weeks.
Whitefish STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning. Check the Whitefish Zoning Map to ensure your property is in a permitted STR zone (WB-3, WRR-1, WRR-2, WRB-1, WRB-2). Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

Whitefish charges a registration fee of $400 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Whitefish: Airbnb/VRBO do NOT collect the 3% Resort Tax; you must register and remit this manually to the city monthly.
Whitefish charges a Resort Tax of 3%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO collect 8% state tax but NOT the 3% local Whitefish Resort Tax; hosts must remit 3% manually to the City.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Whitefish occupancy calculation: Limited by septic capacity or fire code (2 persons per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Whitefish enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Whitefish limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Whitefish requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Annual fire marshal inspection, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Visible address numbers from road.

Penalties2 rules

Whitefish: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Whitefish enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by violation type. Second offense: Escalated fines. Third offense: Revocation of permit. Maximum fine: $500 per violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Whitefish exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels/Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.
Whitefish: The 3% Resort Tax applies to stays of 29 days or less; stays of 30+ days are exempt.
Whitefish: 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 Whitefish

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Ensure your property is located within a zone that allows 'Tourist Homes' (STRs). Prohibited in WR-1 and WR-2.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

State Licensing

Apply for and receive a Public Accommodation License from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

2-4 weeks

Official resource

Step 3

City Fire Inspection

Schedule a safety inspection with the Whitefish Fire Department.

1 week

Official resource

Step 4

STR Permit Application

Submit the Short-Term Rental Application to the Planning Department with the one-time fee.

2-4 weeks$750

Documents needed

MT State License
Site Plan
Floor Plan

Official resource

Step 5

Business License

Obtain an annual City of Whitefish Business License.

1 week$100

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

Whitefish

Moderate

MontanaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

High permit fee: $750
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$750

Processing time4-6 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1STRs are strictly PROHIBITED in WR-1 and WR-2 zones (standard low-density residential).
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built after 2019 cannot be used as short-term rentals.
3A State of Montana Public Accommodation license is required BEFORE the city will issue a permit.
4The 3% City Resort Tax is mandatory and must be collected on all stays under 30 days.
5There is a strict occupancy cap of 10 people regardless of home size.
6Failure to obtain a permit can result in daily fines of $500.
7One-time permit fee is $750, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Whitefish does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Whitefish prohibits STRs in the following property types: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Recreational Vehicles, Tents.
Whitefish: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Whitefish allows STRs in the following property types: House, Townhouse, Condo, Apartment.

Requirements16 rules

Whitefish requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Confirmation of liability insurance required during business registration.
Whitefish STR warning: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or 'guest houses' cannot be used for short-term rentals in Whitefish.

Application process9 rules

Whitefish STR permit - Step 4: Schedule Fire Inspection. The Fire Marshal will contact you to schedule the mandatory annual inspection. Time: 1-2 weeks.
Whitefish STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning. Check the Whitefish Zoning Map to ensure your property is in a permitted STR zone (WB-3, WRR-1, WRR-2, WRB-1, WRB-2). Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

Whitefish charges a registration fee of $400 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Whitefish: Airbnb/VRBO do NOT collect the 3% Resort Tax; you must register and remit this manually to the city monthly.
Whitefish charges a Resort Tax of 3%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Airbnb/VRBO collect 8% state tax but NOT the 3% local Whitefish Resort Tax; hosts must remit 3% manually to the City.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Whitefish occupancy calculation: Limited by septic capacity or fire code (2 persons per bedroom + 2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Whitefish enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Whitefish limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Whitefish requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Annual fire marshal inspection, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Visible address numbers from road.

Penalties2 rules

Whitefish: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Whitefish enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by violation type. Second offense: Escalated fines. Third offense: Revocation of permit. Maximum fine: $500 per violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Whitefish exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels/Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.
Whitefish: The 3% Resort Tax applies to stays of 29 days or less; stays of 30+ days are exempt.
Whitefish: 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 Whitefish

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Ensure your property is located within a zone that allows 'Tourist Homes' (STRs). Prohibited in WR-1 and WR-2.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

State Licensing

Apply for and receive a Public Accommodation License from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).

2-4 weeks

Official resource

Step 3

City Fire Inspection

Schedule a safety inspection with the Whitefish Fire Department.

1 week

Official resource

Step 4

STR Permit Application

Submit the Short-Term Rental Application to the Planning Department with the one-time fee.

2-4 weeks$750

Documents needed

MT State License
Site Plan
Floor Plan

Official resource

Step 5

Business License

Obtain an annual City of Whitefish Business License.

1 week$100

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

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

State Licensing

City Fire Inspection

STR Permit Application

Business License

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Whitefish?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Whitefish?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Whitefish?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Whitefish?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

State Licensing

City Fire Inspection

STR Permit Application

Business License

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Whitefish?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Whitefish?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Whitefish?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Whitefish?

Disclaimer