Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Rules limiting short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, including documentation required to prove residency and rules against operating multiple listings.
Short-Term Rentals in Montana (2026)
13 rules on the books across Montana, 2 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Short-Term Rental Permits
Whether you need a license or permit to list your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms, and what the application process looks like.
Billings
Significant RestrictionsBillings requires an annual short-term rental permit from the zoning coordinator for any dwelling rented under 30 days…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Significant RestrictionsAnyone renting a dwelling short-term in unincorporated Yellowstone County must hold a Zoning Coordinator-issued permit…
Read full rule →Noise Rules
Noise restrictions that apply specifically to short-term rental properties, including quiet hours and rules about parties and gatherings.
Taxes & Fees
Transient occupancy taxes, tourism fees, and other charges that hosts must collect from guests or pay to the city.
Montana: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsMontana imposes a statewide 4% lodging facility use tax and a 4% sales tax on short-term rental accommodations. Hosts…
Read full rule →Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings treats a short-term rental as a "tourist home" and requires operators to hold a city business tax receipt…
Read full rule →Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Off-street parking requirements for rental guests, limits on the number of vehicles, and restrictions on street parking near rental properties.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings' zoning table requires short-term rental parking to be assigned to the dwelling unit rather than meeting a…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsGuests at a permitted short-term rental in unincorporated Yellowstone County must park in the property's private…
Read full rule →Occupancy Limits
Maximum number of guests allowed per rental unit, often based on the number of bedrooms or square footage of the property.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings caps every permitted short-term rental at two guests per bedroom, whether the unit goes to a single renter or…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsA short-term rental permit issued in unincorporated Yellowstone County caps occupancy at two guests per bedroom…
Read full rule →Host Presence Rule
Whether your city allows only home-sharing (host on-site during the rental) versus whole-home unhosted rentals, and the enforcement process for violations.
Billings
Some RestrictionsBillings doesn't require the owner to live on-site, but during any guest stay the owner or a designated local contact…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Some RestrictionsEvery short-term rental permitted in unincorporated Yellowstone County must post the permit, local contact information…
Read full rule →Repeat Violator Strikes
Three-strike or escalating-penalty systems for hosts with repeated noise, occupancy, or registration violations, including permit revocation thresholds.