Billings, MT Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy cap
- 2 guests per bedroom
- Permit required
- STR permit plus business license
- Governing section
- Sec. 27-1008(O), Accessory Uses
- Permit term
- 1 year, renewed annually
- Violation
- Municipal infraction / permit revocation
Summary
Billings caps every permitted short-term rental at two guests per bedroom, whether the unit goes to a single renter or a group staying together.
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.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 66 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Once the city issues a short-term rental permit for a guest home or tourist home, the property can be rented to a single guest or to multiple guests, but occupancy is capped at two guests for every bedroom in the unit. The cap sits inside the accessory-use standards for short-term rentals, alongside requirements for a business license, a 24/7 local contact person, and a habitable sleeping structure: sheds, garages, tents, and RVs don't qualify. The zoning coordinator administers the program under Section 27-1008(O).
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the per-bedroom cap is grounds for the zoning coordinator to revoke the STR permit, giving the holder 30 days to cure; continued noncompliance is a municipal infraction with civil penalties, and each day counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can stay in a Billings short-term rental?
Do I need a permit before renting my Billings home short-term?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Billings
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