Regulations >
Montana >
Absarokee

Want to see how Absarokee compares to other top cities in Montana?  Explore all city regulations in Montana. →

B

Absarokee, MT

Generally Investor Friendly

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Absarokee STR Expert
Absarokee, Montana skyline

STR Regulations for Absarokee, Montana

1. Overview of STR Allowance in Absarokee, MT
Short-term rentals (rentals for less than 30 consecutive days) are allowed in Absarokee, MT and Stillwater County under Montana state regulations. There are no specific city-level restrictions identified for Absarokee (which is an unincorporated community), so investors must comply with state and county requirements.

2. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business
To operate legally in Absarokee/Stillwater County, follow these steps:

  • Obtain a Public Accommodations License from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
  • Register for state and local lodging taxes.
  • Maintain a guest registry for at least one year.
  • Ensure compliance with state health and safety regulations (e.g., smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers).
  • Confirm property zoning compliance with Stillwater County Environmental Health (permits for public accommodations).

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
| Requirement | Source/Issuer | Details | |---------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Public Accommodations License | Montana DPHHS | Annual license required; apply via state health department. | | Guest Registry | Host Responsibility | Must keep records for all guests for ≥1 year (Montana state requirement). | | Lodging Tax Registration | Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) | Register to collect/remit state lodging tax (4% lodging tax cited). | | Local Tax Registration | Stillwater County Treasurer | Register for local lodging/biz taxes; remit to county treasurer. | | Environmental Health Permit | Stillwater County Environmental Health | Permit required for "public accommodations" (includes STRs). |

4. Specific Regulations (City/County/State)

  • State (Montana):
    • Mandatory Public Accommodations License (renewed annually).
    • 4% lodging tax + local taxes on STR revenue.
    • Guest registry retention requirement.
    • Safety compliance (fire safety, health codes).
  • County (Stillwater):
    • Environmental Health permits for public accommodations.
    • Local tax remittance to County Treasurer.
  • Absarokee (Unincorporated): No specific city zoning or STR permits identified.

5. Contact Information for Local Authority
| Authority | Phone | Email | Website | Address | |------------------------------------------|---------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Stillwater County Environmental Health | (406) 322-8055 | sfisher@stillwatercountymt.gov | www.stillwatercountymt.gov/184/Environmental-Health | West Annex, 431 Quarry Rd, Columbus, MT 59019 | | Stillwater County Treasurer | (406) 322-8020 | treasurer@stillwatercountymt.gov | www.stillwatercountymt.gov/government/departments-staff/treasurer | 400 E 3rd Ave N, Columbus, MT 59019 | | Montana Dept. of Revenue (Field Office) | (406) 322-8050 | DORPADRedLodge@mt.gov | revenue.mt.gov/home | 444 N 9th St, Suite 2, Columbus, MT 59019 |

6. Links to Source Pages

Key Recommendations for Investors:

  • Contact Stillwater County Environmental Health at (406) 322-8055 to confirm permit requirements for your specific property type.
  • Register with the Montana DOR for lodging tax compliance before listing your property.
  • Verify HOA/covenants if operating within a planned community (though none were identified in sources).
  • Maintain meticulous guest records to comply with state registry requirements.

Disclaimer: Regulations may update periodically; verify with state/county authorities before operating.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Absarokee?

Absarokee hosts earn a median $20,433/year with $228 ADR and 42% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $26,639+ per year.

See the full Absarokee market breakdown

Next step

Found a property in Absarokee?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Absarokee

Free brief

Get the free Absarokee STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Absarokee, Montana in one email.

Absarokee

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
7/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Absarokee Market Analysis

Photos of Absarokee

Overview of Absarokee

Absarokee is a small unincorporated community in Stillwater County, Montana, with a population of roughly 1,200 residents. It sits at the scenic confluence of the Stillwater River and the Yellowstone River, just northeast of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The community has a quiet, rural ranching character and serves as a long-established gateway for travelers heading into the Beartooth Mountains and, by extension, toward Yellowstone National Park. The nearest major city is Billings, Montana's largest metropolitan area, located approximately 45 miles to the northeast along Interstate 90.

The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, one of the largest designated wilderness areas in the lower 48 states, sprawls to the south and west of town. The area encompasses more than 900,000 acres of granite peaks, alpine lakes, glacial cirques, and an extensive network of hiking and horseback trails. Depending on the trailhead chosen, the wilderness boundary is reached in roughly 20 to 40 miles of driving on mountain roads, with summer and early fall being the prime seasons for backcountry travel.

Just south of Absarokee, the Beartooth Highway climbs from the ranch country of the Stillwater Valley up to Beartooth Pass at nearly 11,000 feet before descending toward the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park at Cooke City, Montana. The drive from town to Yellowstone's gate is approximately 75 miles and typically takes two to three hours. The route is a designated National Scenic Byway and is generally open from late May through mid-October, weather permitting.

The Stillwater River, which flows through the community, is widely recognized as one of Montana's premier blue-ribbon trout streams, drawing fly anglers for its rainbow and brown trout fisheries. The river corridor offers easy roadside and walking access from several points within and just outside of town, and Spring Creek, a nearby tributary known for its selective trout fishing, joins the Stillwater not far downstream.

Surrounding much of the area, the Custer Gallatin National Forest provides additional recreational opportunities including dispersed camping, picnic sites, and trail access into the Beartooth and Absaroka ranges. Together, these natural amenities make Absarokee a compelling base for short-term rentals, appealing to anglers, hikers, scenic byway travelers, and visitors seeking a quieter, less crowded alternative to the busier Yellowstone gateways further west.

Want to know if a property in Absarokee is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.