Yellowstone County imposes no primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas. The City of Billings permits both owner-occupied guest homes and non-owner-occupied tourist homes, so a primary-residence limit is not a countywide rule.
There is no county-level rule requiring an STR host to live in the home as a primary residence in unincorporated Yellowstone County. The City of Billings, which governs STRs inside city limits, recognizes two categories: guest homes (typically owner-present or owner-occupied situations) and tourist homes (whole-home rentals that need not be the owner's residence). Because Billings expressly permits tourist homes, a strict primary-residence-only restriction is not imposed across the jurisdiction. In the rural county, whether a home is a primary residence has no bearing on STR eligibility because no STR ordinance applies. Owners should confirm which Billings STR category fits their situation before applying for a city permit.
No county penalty applies since no primary-residence rule exists. In Billings, mislabeling an STR category on the permit application can lead to permit denial or revocation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Billings, MT
Montana preempts local minimum wage ordinances under MCA section 39-3-409. The state minimum is CPI-adjusted to roughly $10.55 per hour. Billings cannot enac...
Billings, MT
Billings has no hotel worker retention ordinance requiring new owners to retain existing staff. Montana is a right-to-work and at-will employment state with ...
Billings, MT
Billings hotel guests pay roughly 11 percent in Montana lodging taxes: 7 percent lodging facility tax plus 4 percent sales-on-lodging tax. Montana has no gen...
Billings, MT
Public urination and defecation are misdemeanors in Billings under BMC Chapter 25 disorderly conduct and Montana state indecent exposure laws. Downtown bar d...
Billings, MT
Billings cites residents for hosting loud parties under disorderly conduct provisions in BMC Chapter 25 and quiet-hours noise rules in BMC Chapter 17. Repeat...
Billings, MT
Billings prohibits aggressive panhandling near ATMs, bus stops, and outdoor dining under BMC Chapter 25. Passive sign-holding remains protected speech, but c...
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