Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Lewistown, MT?

• Yes. Short‑term rentals (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) are allowed in Lewistown. The city currently does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance, so STRs operate under standard business licensing and general housing rules. Montana state rules for public sleeping accommodations (e.g., hotels/“tourist homes”) apply to lodging providers, including many STRs.
• Registration/licensing: Lewistown requires a business license for operating any lodging activity as a business, and hosts must register and remit Montana’s 7% accommodation (lodging) tax.
• Enforcement: City officials have indicated enforcement is largely an honor system. Not all STRs are licensed, and enforcement capacity is limited.
• Regulatory level: The city is not actively pursuing additional STR-specific rules at this time. State health and safety standards (DPHHS) govern lodging facilities; local zoning and building/fire codes may also apply depending on property use and configuration.

How to start a short-term rental business in Lewistown, MT

• Confirm zoning and use. Ensure the property is in a zoning district that allows short-term lodging. If the unit is owner‑occupied versus investment-only, or if you plan to operate an entire home versus a room, check for any occupancy or use restrictions (no city-specific STR zoning rule is currently on the books; general zoning applies).
• Obtain a Lewistown business license. The city requires a business license for lodging operations. Prepare proof of insurance (general liability and, where applicable, lodging/rental property coverage), and any other documentation the City Manager’s office requests.
• Register to collect and remit Montana’s 7% accommodation tax. Register with the Montana Department of Revenue; collect the 7% tax from guests and file/pay per Department of Revenue guidance.
• Set up sanitation and safety for “public sleeping accommodations.” If your STR qualifies as a public sleeping accommodation under Montana rules (hotels, motels, B&Bs, tourist homes), you must follow DPHHS sanitation and safety standards (ARM 37.111.1). Coordinate with the county sanitarian for plan review and inspections if applicable.
• Comply with local and state taxes. Confirm whether there is any local lodging tax in addition to the state’s 7% tax. If Lewistown enacts a local lodging tax in the future, you will need to register and remit it. Also budget for applicable sales taxes if you sell taxable goods (e.g., supplies or goods to guests).
• Insurance. Maintain appropriate general liability and property (lodging/rental) insurance to address premises liability, guest injuries, and property damage risks.
• Listing and guest policies. Draft clear house rules and booking terms. Align cancellation and occupancy policies with your licensing and insurance, and ensure you can meet safety and sanitation standards for each stay.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Lewistown business license application (city)
  • Proof of insurance (general liability; lodging/rental property as applicable)
  • Property details (address, number of units/rooms, type of STR operation)
  • Contact information for responsible party/manager
• Montana accommodation (lodging) tax registration and filings
  • Montana Department of Revenue registration
  • 7% accommodation tax collected from guests; periodic filing/payment per DOR guidance
• Public sleeping accommodations compliance (as applicable to STRs)
  • DPHHS Public Sleeping Accommodations Rules (ARM 37.111.1)
  • Plan review/inspection via the county sanitarian if your facility is subject to DPHHS licensing/plan review
  • Montana statutes: Licensure & Regulation of Public Accommodation Establishments (MCA 50‑51)
• Zoning and building/fire code compliance (general)
  • Local zoning verification; building/fire safety standards for the property’s intended use
• Operational documentation
  • House rules (occupancy, quiet hours, parking, smoking, pets, events)
  • Guest information (check‑in/out, emergency contacts, local rules)
  • Cleaning and sanitation standard operating procedures to meet DPHHS guidance

Specific regulations for short-term rentals (City, County, State) City of Lewistown

• Business license required for lodging operations; enforcement is limited and primarily self‑reported.
• No dedicated STR ordinance. STRs operate under existing business and housing regulations.
• Lodging tax: At minimum, hosts must collect and remit the 7% Montana accommodation (lodging) tax. Verify if the city has enacted any additional lodging taxes.

County (Fergus County)

• County environmental health administers DPHHS public accommodation rules in the county, including plan review and inspections for lodging facilities. Contact the county sanitarian to confirm whether your STR is subject to DPHHS oversight based on room counts and facility characteristics.

State of Montana

• Accommodation (lodging) tax: 7% tax on lodging charges; operators must register with the Department of Revenue and remit collections.
• Public Sleeping Accommodations rules: DPHHS standards for lodging facilities (e.g., ARM 37.111.1) include sanitation, safety, and operational requirements that commonly apply to hotels, motels, B&Bs, and many tourist homes/STRs. Plan reviews and inspections may be required.
• Licensure & regulation: Public accommodation establishments are regulated under MCA 50‑51. STRs that meet the definition of a “tourist home” or similar lodging are generally subject to these rules and DPHHS oversight.

Compliance checklist (operational)

• Keep a current business license on file and renew as required.
• Register for and file accommodation tax with the Montana DOR; retain records.
• Maintain required insurance coverages.
• Maintain sanitation and safety compliance; be prepared for inspections if your STR is subject to DPHHS oversight.
• Post or provide emergency information, local rules, and contact details to guests.
• Track and remit any local lodging taxes if enacted by the city.
• Maintain guest logs and transaction records to support tax remittance and inspections.
• Monitor municipal code updates for future STR-specific regulations.

Contact information (authorities)

• Lewistown City Manager’s Office (business licensing)
  • City Manager: Holly Phelps
  • Address: 521 Main Street, Lewistown, MT 59457
  • Phone: (406) 535‑3401
• Fergus County Environmental Health (sanitarian; public accommodation plan review/inspection)
  • Contact: County Environmental Health / Sanitarian
  • DPHHS directory of local health departments: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/countytribalhealthdepts
• Montana Department of Revenue (accommodation tax registration/filings)
  • See: mtrevenue.gov/
• DPHHS Environmental Health and Food Safety (public accommodations)
  • Phone: (406) 444‑2400
  • Public Accommodations page: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EHFS/PublicAccommodations/index
• News‑Argus (general contact for Lewistown News‑Argus)
  • Address: 521 Main Street, Lewistown, MT 59457
  • Phone: (406) 535‑3401

Links to source pages

• Lewistown News‑Argus article on STRs in Lewistown: www.lewistownnews.com/news/booking-vs-buying-short-term-housing-within-city-of-lewistown-tough-to-track-regulate/article_0180ac70-e586-11ee-ba44-b77a21705a67.html
• DPHHS Public Accommodations page (rules, plan review, statutes): dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EHFS/PublicAccommodations/index
• ARM 37.111.1 Public Sleeping Accommodations (web version): rules.mt.gov/browse/collections/aec52c46-128e-4279-9068-8af5d5432d74/sections/9b58575d-b108-45be-aa19-131c5003f394
• MCA 50‑51 Licensure & Regulation of Public Accommodation Establishments: leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0500/chapter_0510/parts_index.html
• County Environmental Health Departments directory: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/countytribalhealthdepts
• Montana Department of Revenue (tax registration/filings): mtrevenue.gov/

Notes

• Because Lewistown currently lacks a dedicated STR ordinance, investors should still verify zoning, building, and fire safety for the specific property and unit configuration before listing.
• Montana’s DPHHS rules and licensing apply to a broad range of lodging facilities, including many short‑term rentals; plan reviews and inspections are conducted by the county sanitarian.
• The city has indicated it is not actively pursuing STR‑specific regulation at this time, but investors should monitor city communications for future changes.