Lakeside, Montana Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals ARE allowed in Lakeside, Montana, but they are subject to comprehensive county regulations and licensing requirements. Lakeside is located within Lake County, Montana, and short-term rentals (also called vacation rentals, tourist homes, lodging facilities, roominghouses, or hotel/motels) must comply with all applicable Lake County and Montana state regulations. Vacation rentals are considered public sleeping accommodations and require proper licensing before operation.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Lakeside?

Lakeside hosts earn a median $32,107/year with $285 ADR and 54% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $45,861+ per year.

See the full Lakeside market breakdown

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

The process for establishing a legal short-term rental in Lakeside involves a systematic sequence of approvals and licensing. The process is designed to ensure compliance with health, safety, zoning, and building requirements.

Step-by-Step Process

Zoning Verification and Planning
- Contact Lake County Planning Department (LCPD) at 406-883-7235 to determine if vacation rentals are allowed under current zoning and density regulations
- Some districts within the County do not allow vacation rentals
- Obtain Zoning Conformance Permit Application with Checklist
Environmental Health Review
- Submit Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review Application to Lake County Environmental Health Department (LCEH)
- LCEH will review the application alongside LCPD zoning compliance
Wastewater Treatment System Assessment
- Obtain Wastewater Treatment System (WWTS) Alteration with No New Components Permit from LCEH
- LCEH will determine allowable number of bedrooms based on WWTS size and capacity
Water Supply System Review
- Public water supply systems require pre-approval from LCEH
- Private water supply systems require Source Water Assessment including lab analysis for coliform bacteria and total nitrate + nitrate levels
Building Permit Requirements
- Building permits are only required for new construction or remodels
- Contact State Building Inspector Rob Morris at 406-202-1324 for "Change of Use" or "New" construction if applicable
State Registration and Licensing
- Register with Montana Department of Revenue at 406-444-6900 to obtain seller's permit
- Contact Montana DPHHS Environmental Health Facility Safety Section at 406-444-2837 for Public Accommodation License
- Complete pre-opening inspection with LCEH and DPHHS

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Applications and Permits

Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review Application
- Fee: $150
- Submitted to LCEH for comprehensive review
Wastewater Treatment System Permit
- Fee: $150
- Required for any WWTS alterations or bedroom determinations
Zoning Conformance Permit Application
- Fee: Varies
- Submitted to Lake County Planning Department
Building Notification Permit Application
- Fee: Varies
- Required only for new construction or remodels
Montana Public Accommodation License
- Annual fees: $100 (1-10 rooms), $175 (11-25 rooms), $250 (26+ rooms)
- Issued by Montana DPHHS
Department of Revenue Registration
- Lodging Facilities Form required
- Obtain seller's permit through DOR

Supporting Documentation Requirements

Property ownership documentation
Wastewater system documentation
Water supply assessment results
Building plans (if applicable)
Insurance documentation
Emergency contact information

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Lake County Regulations

Property Use Classification:

Vacation rentals are classified as Tourist Homes, Lodging Facilities, Roominghouses, or Hotel/Motels
Must comply with all Public Accommodation standards

Inspection Requirements:

Pre-opening inspection by LCEH is mandatory
No annual inspections required unless complaints are filed
Additional inspections may be required if complaints are received by LCEH

Density and Zoning Compliance:

Some zoning districts explicitly prohibit vacation rentals
Requires zoning approval before licensing
Must verify compliance with local covenants and planning requirements

Wastewater and Water Standards:

Bedrooms limited by WWTS capacity
Source water assessment required for private systems
Must meet Montana water supply standards

Montana State Regulations

Public Accommodation Standards:

ARM 37.111.101-135: Comprehensive public accommodation regulations
Governed by Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Building Codes:

ARM 24.301.101-190: Montana Building Codes Bureau requirements
Building permits required for new construction or significant remodels

Taxation Requirements:

MCA 15-65-101: Lodging Facility Use Tax
MCA 15-68-101: Lodging Facility Sales Tax
ARM 42-14-106: Registration and permit requirements
Registration with Department of Revenue mandatory

Additional State Laws:

MCA 50-51-102: General provisions and definitions
MCA 50-51-103(1)&(2): Governing operation requirements

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Lake County Environmental Health Department (LCEH)

Address: 500 1st Street East, Polson MT 59860
Phone: 406-883-7236
Email: envhealth@lakemt.gov
Primary Contact: For all health-related approvals, plan reviews, and licensing

Lake County Planning Department (LCPD)

Phone: 406-883-7235
Primary Contact: For zoning verification, density requirements, and conformance permits

Building Codes Bureau

Inspector: Rob Morris
Phone: 406-202-1324
Primary Contact: For building permits, plan reviews, and construction requirements

Montana Department of Revenue

Phone: 406-444-6900
Website: mtrevenue.gov
Primary Contact: For seller permits, lodging facility registration, and tax compliance

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

Environmental Health Facility Safety Section
Phone: 406-444-2837
Primary Contact: For public accommodation licensing and renewals

Lake County Sheriff Department

Phone: 406-883-7301
Primary Contact: For access, noise, and nuisance complaints

Links to Source Pages

Primary Regulatory Documents

Lake County Vacation Rental Requirements: www.lakemt.gov/DocumentCenter/View/167/Overview-of-Vacation-Rentals-and-Tourist-Home-Requirements-in-Lake-County-PDF?bidId=
Lake County Website: lakemt.gov
Montana Department of Revenue: mtrevenue.gov

Supporting Documents and Applications

Zoning Performance Standards: Available through Lake County Planning Department
Public Accommodation Guidelines: ARM 37.111.1 through Montana DPHHS
Building Code Requirements: ARM 24.301.146
Lodging Facility Tax Guidelines: ARM 42.14

Important Operational Considerations

Annual Compliance:

DPHHS sends renewal notifications by mail several months before year-end
Annual licensing fees vary based on room count
Must maintain current contact information with authorities

Complaint Management:

Access, noise, and nuisance issues: Lake County Sheriff Department (406-883-7301)
Garbage and health-related complaints: Lake County Environmental Health (406-883-7236)
Additional inspections may be required if complaints are substantiated

Local Authority Coordination:

Multiple agencies are involved in vacation rental oversight
All approvals must be obtained in proper sequence
Non-compliance can result in operational suspension

Property-Specific Requirements:

Verify local covenants and homeowners association restrictions
Confirm zoning allowances before investing
Assess wastewater system capacity for intended bedroom count
Evaluate water supply system adequacy

This comprehensive regulatory framework ensures that short-term rentals in Lakeside operate safely and in compliance with all applicable health, safety, and zoning standards. Investors should budget adequate time for the approval process and maintain ongoing compliance monitoring to avoid operational disruptions.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Lakeside

Lakeside is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place in Flathead County, in the northwestern corner of Montana, perched along the western shore of Flathead Lake. With a year-round population of roughly 1,600 residents, the community has the relaxed, laid-back feel of a classic lake town, swelling noticeably each summer when seasonal visitors arrive to enjoy the water, the surrounding forests, and the cool mountain air. Lakeside is best known as a gateway to Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, and it serves as a convenient base for travelers exploring the Flathead Valley. The nearest sizable city is Kalispell, about 20 miles to the north, while Missoula lies roughly 100 miles to the south. Glacier Park International Airport, in Kalispell, is the closest commercial airport.

The dominant draw in the area is Flathead Lake itself, a vast, glacier-fed body of water that stretches for nearly 30 miles and is ringed by orchards, small marinas, and quiet coves. From Lakeside, the lake is essentially at the doorstep, with public boat launches, swimming spots, and waterfront parks all within a few minutes' drive. Visitors come for sailing, kayaking, fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding, and the sunsets over the Mission Mountains to the east are a fixture of any summer visit.

A short boat ride from the Lakeside shoreline brings visitors to Wild Horse Island State Park, the largest island in Flathead Lake and a popular day-use destination known for its herds of wild horses and bighorn sheep, as well as its hiking trails and primitive shoreline. Boaters, kayakers, and water taxis make the crossing from nearby marinas, and the park offers some of the most scenic and unspoiled viewpoints anywhere on the lake.

North of Lakeside, roughly an hour and a half by car, lies Glacier National Park, one of the crown jewels of the American park system and the single largest attraction in the region. Its alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road draw visitors from around the world, and many travelers choose to stay in the quieter communities around Flathead Lake rather than in the busier gateway towns closer to the park entrances. To the south, the surrounding Flathead National Forest offers extensive hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, with trailheads often within a short drive of town.

Lakeside is a compelling base for short-term rentals because it combines immediate lake access with quick reach to two of Montana's most iconic destinations, Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake. Its small-town character, mountain backdrop, and proximity to Kalispell's airport make it equally appealing to road-trippers, fly-in tourists, and families looking for a relaxed Montana summer, giving owners a strong, season-driven rental market in one of the state's most scenic corners.