Short-Term Rentals in Yellowstone County, MT (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yellowstone County, Montana.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Yellowstone County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Anyone renting a dwelling short-term in unincorporated Yellowstone County must hold a Zoning Coordinator-issued permit under Section 27-1620. The application lists the owner, a local contact reachable 24 hours a day, every rental unit, and the advertisement URL. Permits run one year and must be renewed at least 30 days before expiration.

Short-Term Rental Permit Rules in Yellowstone County

Significant Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code, § 27-1620.A-B

A. APPLICATION CONTENTS In addition to any other information prescribed by the Zoning Coordinator, an application for a short-term rental permit shall include the following information: 1. Contact information for the owner (person, trust, or corporation) of the property. 2. Contact information for the owner's local contact person, who has authority to fix any problems or violations of this chap...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Guests at a permitted short-term rental in unincorporated Yellowstone County must park in the property's private driveway first, with any overflow allowed only on the street where street parking is otherwise permitted. Parking anywhere else on the lot, including in a required yard or setback, is prohibited under the county's short-term rental standards.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules in Yellowstone County

Some Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1005.O.4(d)(2)

(2) Guests shall be instructed to park in private driveways first, with overflow parking on the street where permitted. Parking on-site in non-driveway areas (e.g., setbacks or yards) shall be prohibited.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

A short-term rental permit issued in unincorporated Yellowstone County caps occupancy at two guests per bedroom, whether the unit is rented to a single guest or a group. The limit applies to every guest home or tourist home short-term rental operating under Section 27-1005.O of the county Zoning Code, on top of the permit's other health and safety conditions.

Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits in Yellowstone County

Some Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1005.O.2(j)

The issuance of a short-term rental permit allows the property to be rented to either a single guest or multiple guests with a maximum limit of two guests per bedroom.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Every short-term rental permitted in unincorporated Yellowstone County must post the permit, local contact information, and emergency safety information inside the unit, and the owner or a designated local contact must be reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while a guest is staying there, to field complaints about the unit's condition or a tenant's conduct.

Short-Term Rental 24/7 Contact Rule

Some Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1005.O.4(b)

Contact Information The short-term rental permit with all local contact information and emergency safety information shall be prominently displayed within the short-term rental unit. During the term that a short-term rental unit is occupied by a guest(s), the owner and/or a local contact person designated by the owner, as identified in the short-term rental permit application, shall be availabl...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

In the county's agricultural and residential zone districts, a guest home can only get a short-term rental permit if it is owner-occupied or occupied by a long-term tenant for at least 180 days a year, and even then only with Special Review approval under Section 27-1622. Non-owner-occupied investment properties do not qualify for a permit in these districts.

Short-Term Rental Owner-Occupancy Rule

Significant Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code § 27-1005.O.3(b)(1)

(1) Type of Permits: Only guest homes that are owner or long-term tenant occupied for at least 180 days per year are permitted with Special Review approval (Sec. 27-1622).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Repeat Violator Strikes

Yellowstone County can revoke a short-term rental permit under Section 27-1620.E when a substantiated violation occurs during the permit term. The Zoning Coordinator gives written notice to the permit holder and local manager and allows 30 days to fix the problem. A holder still in violation is barred from taking any further reservations.

Short-Term Rental Permit Revocation in Yellowstone County

Significant Restrictions

Yellowstone County Zoning Code, § 27-1620.E

E. REVOCATION 1. The Zoning Coordinator may revoke a short-term rental permit if any of the issues identified in the Section C.3 review criteria are substantiated during the term of permit. 2. The Zoning Coordinator shall give written notice of the pending revocation to the permit holder and any named local manager listed on the permit. The permit holder will have 30 days to bring the property ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Yellowstone County

1 cities in Yellowstone County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

BillingsPop. 117,116

6 verified rules • Host Presence Rule, Noise Rules

All Yellowstone County ordinances

See every category we cover for Yellowstone County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Yellowstone County Ordinance Hub →