Regulations >
Montana >
Belgrade

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

C

Belgrade, MT

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Belgrade STR Expert
Belgrade, Montana skyline

STR Regulations for Belgrade, Montana

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Belgrade, MT?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Belgrade, Montana. The City of Belgrade has no specific regulations on short-term rentals, provided that all other zoning regulations are met. This means that investors can legally operate STRs in the city without needing special permits or licenses from the city itself, as long as their property complies with standard zoning requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Belgrade?

Belgrade hosts earn a median $40,868/year with $217 ADR and 64% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $56,511+ per year.

See the full Belgrade market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Belgrade, MT

Starting a short-term rental business in Belgrade follows a straightforward process:

  1. Verify Zoning Compliance: Ensure your property meets all existing zoning regulations for your specific district
  2. Obtain Fire Inspection: Contact the Central Valley Fire Department to schedule and complete a fire inspection for all new short-term rentals (this is mandatory)
  3. Register Utilities: Set up utility services with the City of Belgrade if operating within city limits
  4. Obtain Business Insurance: Secure appropriate liability and property insurance coverage
  5. Set Up Business Operations: Establish booking platforms, cleaning protocols, and guest management systems

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Based on the available information, the requirements are minimal:

Required:

  • Fire Inspection: Schedule and complete a fire inspection through the Central Valley Fire Department (mandatory for all new short-term rentals)

Potentially Required (depending on your specific situation):

  • Building Permits: If you plan to make structural changes, electrical modifications, plumbing alterations, or other construction work
  • Conditional Use Permit (CUP): If your zoning district lists short-term rentals as a conditional use rather than a permitted use

Exempt from Permits:

  • Residential accessory buildings less than 200 square feet

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations

The City of Belgrade has no specific short-term rental regulations. However, operators must comply with:

  • Standard zoning regulations for their property's zoning district
  • Fire safety requirements (including mandatory fire inspection)
  • Building codes (the city has adopted 2021 versions of IRC, IBC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC, ISPSC, 2017 version of accessibility standards, and 2020 NEC)

County and State Regulations

The provided content does not include information about Gallatin County or Montana state-level short-term rental regulations. Investors should consult with local authorities or legal counsel to determine if additional county or state requirements apply.

Contact Information for Local Authority in Charge of STRs

Primary City Contact:

  • City of Belgrade
    • Address: 91 East Central Avenue, Belgrade, MT 59714
    • Phone: 406-388-3760
    • Fax: 406-388-4996

Fire Safety Authority:

Building Department:

  • Contact through City of Belgrade at 406-388-3760

Important Notes for Investors

  1. Zoning Verification: Since STRs are allowed without specific regulations, it's crucial to verify that short-term rental use is permitted in your specific zoning district
  2. Fire Safety Priority: The mandatory fire inspection through Central Valley Fire Department is a critical first step
  3. No City Permits Required: Unlike many jurisdictions, Belgrade does not require separate STR permits or licenses from the city
  4. Future Regulation Risk: While currently unregulated, cities can change regulations quickly; monitor city council meetings and ordinances
  5. Insurance Considerations: Ensure your insurance covers short-term rental activities, as some policies may exclude business use

Links to Source Pages

Disclaimer: This guide is based on the available information at the time of analysis. Regulations can change, and additional requirements may exist at the county or state level. Investors should verify current requirements with local authorities before proceeding with any STR operation.

Next step

Found a property in Belgrade?

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 Belgrade

Free brief

Get the free Belgrade STR Investment Brief

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

Belgrade

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 Belgrade Market Analysis

Photos of Belgrade

Overview of Belgrade

Belgrade is a small city in southwestern Montana, situated in Gallatin County amid the sweeping valleys and mountain ranges of the northern Rockies. With a population of roughly eight to nine thousand residents, it has the feel of a growing, family-oriented community that still retains its high-plains, small-town character. Belgrade is best known as the home of the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, the busiest airport in the state, and serves as a practical base for travelers heading into the surrounding wilderness. The city sits about ten miles northwest of Bozeman, the nearest major city, and roughly ninety miles north of the West Yellowstone entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Just south of town, the city of Bozeman offers an appealing complement to a stay in Belgrade. About a fifteen-minute drive away, Bozeman is home to Montana State University and the Museum of the Rockies, a well-known regional museum that draws visitors with its paleontology collections and exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the region. The walkable downtown, with its galleries, restaurants, and shops along Main Street, gives guests a sense of Montana's contemporary culture and university-town energy without requiring a long detour from Belgrade.

Outdoor recreation is a major draw, and the Bridger Mountains rise just to the east of Belgrade, framing the city with dramatic ridgelines. Bridger Bowl, a community-owned ski area on the northern slope of the range, is about a twenty-five-minute drive from town and offers downhill skiing in winter and hiking in summer. The surrounding Gallatin National Forest spreads out in all directions, providing trails, rivers, and wildlife habitat that attract hikers, anglers, and mountain bikers throughout the warmer months.

To the south, Big Sky Resort and the residential community of Big Sky lie roughly forty-five miles away along Highway 191, offering year-round skiing in winter and hiking, mountain biking, and rafting in summer. Farther south, Yellowstone National Park, one of the country's most iconic natural destinations, is accessible in about a two-hour drive via the West Yellowstone entrance, making Belgrade a natural overnight stop for visitors who prefer quieter lodging to the busier gateway towns.

Belgrade's combination of small-town character, proximity to the state's main airport, and easy access to Bozeman, the Bridger Range, Big Sky, and Yellowstone makes it a quietly compelling base for short-term rentals. Visitors can enjoy a more relaxed, residential setting while remaining within easy reach of the region's marquee attractions, and travelers passing through Montana often find it a convenient and welcoming place to begin or end a Rocky Mountain adventure.

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

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.