To qualify for a new Type 1 or Type 2A short-term rental in Bozeman, the host must occupy the dwelling as their primary residence - defined as living there at least 70% of the calendar year. Non-owner-occupied whole-home (Type 3) rentals face the tightest zoning limits under the Unified Development Code.
Bozeman's short-term rental framework is built around owner occupancy. For a new Type 1 (owner present) or Type 2A (owner-occupied primary residence rented while the owner is away) STR, the host must use the dwelling as their primary residence, which the city defines as residing there a minimum of 70% of the calendar year. This primary-residence test is central to Bozeman's effort to keep STRs from converting long-term housing stock into full-time vacation rentals. Type 3 STRs - an entire home that is not the owner's primary residence - are the most restricted and are limited to specific zoning districts; the February 1, 2026 UDC update narrowed where non-owner-occupied rentals can operate by consolidating lower-density residential districts into the new RA district, which allows only Type 1. Owners should verify both the residency requirement and the zoning before registering, since a property that doesn't meet the 70% primary-residence test generally cannot register as a Type 1 or 2A rental.
Registering or operating a Type 1 or 2A STR without meeting the 70% primary-residence requirement, or running a Type 3 rental in a district where it isn't allowed, violates UDC Section 38.360.250. Enforcement can include denial or revocation of registration and fines.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Bozeman has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance and no gas-blower ban. Leaf blowers are treated as general noise sources under Chapter 16, Article 6 of the Boz...
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Amplified sound - loudspeakers, stereos, live bands, DJ rigs - is regulated in Bozeman under the general noise nuisance standard in Chapter 16, Article 6 of ...
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Bozeman does not set a stopwatch-style barking limit by decibel; instead, a dog that barks, howls, or makes noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors is han...
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Bozeman's 2024 noise-code update - the first revision since 2001 - set a specific construction-noise standard: construction activity may not produce noise ex...
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Bozeman regulates noise under Chapter 16, Article 6 of the Bozeman Municipal Code. Rather than fixed citywide decibel caps for everyday noise, the city uses ...
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Bozeman requires a building permit for any fence taller than six feet. Fences six feet or shorter generally don't need a building permit, but every fence mus...
See how Bozeman's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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