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Anaconda, MT

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STR Regulations for Anaconda, Montana

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Anaconda, MT?

  • Allowed: Short-term rentals are permitted in Anaconda, Montana under general housing and business rules. There are no city-specific short-term rental ordinances, and no city STR registration program. A standard business license, zoning compliance, and health/safety adherence are required. Hosts must also comply with Montana’s lodging taxes (4% state) and any applicable local lodging taxes. Sources: GoSummer Anaconda market page and state-level STR regulations overview (Proper Insurance). Links: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/anaconda-montana; www.proper.insure/airbnb-laws-montana/.

How to start a STR business in this market

  1. Confirm zoning and use eligibility
  • Before purchasing or leasing, verify the property is in a zoning district that permits transient lodging or short-term rentals. While Anaconda lacks a specific STR ordinance, traditional zoning categories and residential use restrictions still apply. Source: GoSummer Anaconda page. Link: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/anaconda-montana.
  1. Obtain a business license (local)
  • Apply for a city/business license through the City of Anaconda (typically via City–County Health). An active license is typically needed before hosting guests. Contact the office below to confirm application requirements and renewal cadence. Link: anacondaleader.com.
  1. Set up tax collection and remittance
  • State lodging tax: Collect 4% Montana Lodging Facility Use Tax from guests and remit per Department of Revenue rules.
  • Local lodging tax: Montana allows up to 3% local option lodging tax. Check with Deer Lodge County/City of Anaconda for any local lodging tax rate that applies in Anaconda; collection and remittance may be handled by the same state mechanism once configured.
  • Source: Proper Insurance’s Montana laws overview. Link: www.proper.insure/airbnb-laws-montana/.
  • Note: One market analysis (GoSummer) cites a 7% accommodation tax locally; verify with the local authority as rates can vary. Link: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/anaconda-montana.
  1. Establish insurance and safety standards
  • Replace standard homeowners or landlord policies with a STR-specific policy that covers property, liability, and lost revenue. Ensure smoke and CO detectors and follow basic health and safety practices. Source: Proper Insurance. Link: www.proper.insure/short-term-rental-insurance/montana/.
  1. Build a compliant operating playbook
  • Define check-in/out procedures, occupancy rules, quiet hours, parking, fire safety, and guest screening/verification. Keep local contact details and a rapid-response process for guest issues.
  1. Launch and monitor compliance
  • List the property, collect and remit taxes accurately, renew the business license annually, and keep records. Review HOA or property management rules if applicable.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Regulations by jurisdiction (City/County/State) City of Anaconda

Deer Lodge County (and City of Anaconda within it)

  • No county-specific STR registration requirements are indicated in the provided sources.
  • Any local lodging tax up to 3% may apply; confirm the current rate with county/city finance authorities.
  • Source: Proper Insurance (state-level lodging tax framework). Link: www.proper.insure/airbnb-laws-montana/.

State of Montana (laws relevant to STR operations)

  • Lodging Facility Use Tax (LFUT): 4% state lodging tax on short-term rentals, collected from guests and remitted to the Department of Revenue. Some jurisdictions may add a local option lodging tax up to 3% (total up to 7% in those areas). Confirm Anaconda’s local rate with local authorities.
  • Insurance: No state mandate for a specific STR policy, but standard homeowners/landlord policies are not adequate. A comprehensive STR policy is strongly recommended.
  • Sources: Proper Insurance Montana laws overview and Montana STR insurance page. Links: www.proper.insure/airbnb-laws-montana/; www.proper.insure/short-term-rental-insurance/montana/.

Tax treatment note (important for investors)

  • Montana’s recent property tax reforms (2025–2026) retain favorable rates for primary residences but assess non-primary residences and short-term rentals at higher rates, including a 1.9% tier above $1.44M. This increases the effective assessment rate on second homes and STRs relative to owner-occupied primary residences.
  • Source: Anaconda Leader commentary (Rep. John Fitzpatrick). Link: www.anacondaleader.com/content/residential-property-tax-relief-moving-forward.

Operational best practices (from local market context)

  • Seasonality: Peak demand runs late spring through summer (outdoor rec, Pintler Wilderness), with fall spikes (hunting and foliage). Winter is generally slower, with minor holiday lifts.
  • Amenities that perform well: outdoor seating/fire pits/BBQs; fishing gear/bike/ski storage; historical touches; fireplaces and heated floors.
  • Guest experience: fast response to inquiries/issues; local recommendations; high cleanliness/upkeep standards to match guest expectations.
  • Source: GoSummer Anaconda STR overview. Link: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/anaconda-montana.

Market snapshot (for planning; independent of regulations)

  • Listings: 36 reliable/136 active.
  • Middle-earners metrics: 44% occupancy; $27,877 gross annual revenue; 10% cap rate (est.).
  • Top earners: $57,153 revenue.
  • Median home value: $284,631.
  • Source: STRProfitMap Anaconda analysis. Link: www.strprofitmap.com/analysis/state/MT/anaconda.

Local authority contacts (STR and licensing/tax administration)

  • City of Anaconda / Deer Lodge County
    • Phone: (406) 563-4061 (City–County Health Department; business licensing and general local government services)
    • Email: leadernews@anacondaleader.com (newspaper contact listing; may help with routing or local info)
    • Website: anacondaleader.com (City of Anaconda contact reference page and local contact directory)
  • Montana Department of Revenue (lodging tax registration/filing)
    • Phone/email/website: Use DOR’s official channels (not provided in source set). Confirm state lodging tax registration at revenue.mt.gov.
  • Insurance support (STR-specific)

Links to source pages

Notes on limitations

  • The provided sources do not include direct city or county ordnance pages for Anaconda. Confirm zoning, business license specifics, and any local lodging tax rate directly with City–County Health/Finance and the Montana Department of Revenue. One source mentions a 7% accommodation tax; verify the local rate before implementation. Links are provided for follow-up.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Anaconda?

Anaconda hosts earn a median $23,032/year with $164 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,983+ per year.

See the full Anaconda market breakdown

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Anaconda

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
6/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Anaconda Market Analysis

Photos of Anaconda

Overview of Anaconda

Anaconda is a small, history-rich community in southwestern Montana, forming part of the consolidated City-County of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County. With a population of roughly 7,500, it carries the weathered character of a former copper-smelting town, surrounded by pine-covered mountains and broad Intermountain valleys. The city is best known for the towering Anaconda Smelter Stack, a landmark of the American West's mining era, and it serves as a quiet gateway to the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Georgetown Lake, and several of Montana's lesser-visited outdoor playgrounds. The nearest sizable city is Butte, located about 30 miles to the east along Interstate 90.

A short drive north of downtown brings visitors to the Anaconda Smelter Stack State Park, home to a 585-foot brick chimney that, when completed in 1919, was the tallest freestanding masonry structure in the world. The site offers a small museum and interpretive trails that explain the smelting process and the people who built and worked in the operation, and it remains one of the most photographed landmarks in the region.

Southwest of town, the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness spreads across nearly 160,000 acres of high country along the Continental Divide. The area is known for alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and a network of hiking and horseback trails, with access points typically within a 30- to 45-minute drive of Anaconda. It is a popular destination for backpackers and anglers seeking quieter alternatives to Montana's more crowded wilderness areas.

About 25 miles northwest of Anaconda, Georgetown Lake draws visitors year-round for trout fishing, sailing, and lakeside camping, while in winter the surrounding ridges become a base for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Closer to town, the Old Works Golf Course, built by Jack Nicklaus on the reclaimed grounds of a former smelter, has earned recognition as one of the most distinctive public courses in the state. A bit further afield, Discovery Ski Area offers downhill skiing and riding in the Anaconda Range, roughly an hour's drive from town.

Together, these varied offerings give Anaconda a strong appeal for short-term rental owners. The city combines an off-the-beaten-path Montana atmosphere with reliable four-season recreation, accessible day-trip attractions, and proximity to I-90, which connects travelers to Butte, Missoula, and beyond. For visitors drawn to history, big-sky landscapes, and the chance to unplug in a small mountain town, Anaconda offers a rewarding base well off the usual tourist track.

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