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Missoula, MT

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STR Regulations for Missoula, Montana

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Missoula, Montana. The city has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term rentals (STRs) that permits their operation with proper registration and compliance. Missoula defines a Short-Term Rental as any dwelling unit rented for less than 28 consecutive days where the renter/guest has a principal residence other than the short-term rental.

Key Distinction: Short-term rental regulations do not apply to the rental of less than a full dwelling unit, such as the rental of rooms in an owner-occupied home. However, entire home rentals and tourist homes (dwelling units used most of the time as short-term rentals where no one lives long-term as a primary residence) are fully regulated.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Missoula?

Missoula hosts earn a median $30,699/year with $179 ADR and 65% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $44,705+ per year.

See the full Missoula market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Missoula

Starting a compliant short-term rental business in Missoula requires navigating a multi-step process that includes registration, licensing, and ongoing compliance. Here's a comprehensive approach:

Step 1: Research and Preparation

  • Verify Zoning Compliance: Confirm your property's zoning allows short-term rental operations
  • Review Homeowners Association (HOA) Covenants: While the city doesn't govern these agreements, HOAs may prohibit STR operations
  • Assess Property Suitability: Ensure your property meets safety and habitability requirements

Step 2: Create City Account and Apply

  • Portal Access: Create an account on the Missoula Accela Permit & Licensing Portal
  • Application Preparation: Gather all required documentation before starting your application
  • Complete Online Application: The application process takes at least 20 minutes but can be saved and resumed

Step 3: Submit Required Documentation

  • Complete safety self-inspection checklist
  • Submit neighbor notification (if applicable for tourist homes in residential districts)
  • Provide hosting platform listing URL (if available)

Step 4: Payment and Review

  • Pay registration fees using Visa or Mastercard
  • Submit application for review
  • Respond promptly to any staff requests for additional information

Step 5: License Issuue and Operations

  • Receive your Short-Term Rental Number (format: 20YY-MSS-STR-00###)
  • Share registration number with hosting platforms
  • Begin operations upon license approval

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Missoula Requirements

Short-Term Rental Registration

  • Cost: $636 (2025 fee)
  • Renewal: Required annually by January 31st
  • Application Process: Online through Accela Portal
  • Registration Number Format: 20YY-MSS-STR-00###

Required Documentation:

  • Property ownership verification
  • Zoning designation confirmation
  • Dwelling unit description including square footage
  • Hosting platform listing URL (if available)
  • Safety Self-Inspection Checklist
  • Neighbor Notification (for tourist homes in residential zoning districts)

Health Department License

Public Accommodations License

  • Issued by: Missoula City-County Health Department
  • Cost: $200 base fee + potential $50 for water/wastewater review
  • Requirements: Plan review approval and successful pre-operational inspection
  • Contact: (406) 258-4755 or envhealth@missoulacounty.us

State Level Requirements

Lodging Facility Sales and Use Tax Account

  • Issued by: Montana Department of Revenue
  • Contact: 1-800-859-2254
  • Registration: Required before collecting taxes from guests
  • Platforms: Major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo may collect these taxes on your behalf, but operators remain responsible for compliance

Montana State License Fee

  • Cost: $40 annually for single Tourist Home
  • Payable to: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
  • Collection: Typically collected by Missoula City-County Health Department after plan review approval

Supporting Forms and Checklists

  • Short-Term Rental Safety Self-Inspection Checklist and Acknowledgment
  • Short-Term Rental - Tourist Home Neighbor Notification (for residential zoning)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Missoula

City of Missoula Regulations

Operational Requirements:

  • Occupancy Period: Rentals must be for less than 28 consecutive days
  • Maximum Occupancy: Generally limited to two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, with maximum 12 occupants total
  • Registration Display: STR registration numbers must be displayed in all listings
  • Annual Renewal: Required by January 31st each year

Tourist Home Specific Requirements:

  • Neighbor Notification: Required for tourist homes in residential (R) zoning districts during application process
  • Zoning Compliance: Tourist homes must comply with Title 20 zoning code
  • Definition: Tourist homes are dwelling units used most of the time as short-term rentals where no one lives as primary residence

Safety and Compliance Requirements:

  • Smoke detectors in all bedrooms and common areas
  • Carbon monoxide detectors for properties with gas appliances or fireplaces
  • Fire extinguishers on each level
  • Emergency exit plans
  • Maximum occupancy limits based on property size and bedroom count
  • Clear emergency egress paths

Missoula County Regulations

Additional Compliance:

  • Public Accommodations License requirements
  • Waste management protocols
  • Potable water and wastewater disposal standards

State of Montana Regulations

Statewide Requirements:

  • Public Accommodation License: Required for all short-term rental operators
  • Tax Obligations:
    • 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax
    • 4% Lodging Sales Tax
  • Guest Registry: Required maintenance
  • Basic Standards: Potable water, wastewater disposal, hygienic amenities, property maintenance

Hosting Platform Requirements:

  • Starting December 5, 2024, hosting platforms must verify registration numbers before allowing bookings
  • Platforms must collect the listing's City of Missoula Short Term Rental Registration number
  • Non-compliant listings may be removed by platforms

Zoning and Density Restrictions

Residential Zone Considerations:

  • Tourist homes in residential districts require neighbor notification
  • No specific density limitations mentioned, but general zoning compliance required
  • Properties must comply with Title 20 zoning code requirements

Enforcement and Penalties

City Enforcement Actions:

  • Registration revocation for repeated violations
  • Suspension or revocation for permits issued in error or based on incorrect information
  • Fines and penalties for unregistered operations
  • Platform cooperation for compliance monitoring

Reporting Violations:

  • Unregistered STRs: Contact Development Services at (406) 552-6630
  • Nuisance Complaints: Missoula City Police Non-emergency (406) 258-3452
  • Emergencies: 911

Contact Information for Local Authorities

City of Missoula

Permit & Business Licensing Coordinators

  • Phone: (406) 552-6060
  • Email: coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us
  • Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Purpose: Primary contact for STR registration and licensing questions

Current Planning & Land Use - Zoning Desk

Development Services

  • General Inquiries: (406) 552-6630
  • Purpose: Code compliance and enforcement

General City Contact

  • Address: 435 Ryman St., Missoula, MT 59802
  • Phone: (406) 552-6000
  • TTY: (406) 552-6131

Missoula City-County Health Department

Environmental Health

  • Address: 301 W Alder, Missoula
  • Phone: (406) 258-4755
  • Email: envhealth@missoulacounty.us
  • Purpose: Public Accommodations License and health-related questions

State of Montana

Montana Department of Revenue

  • Phone: 1-800-859-2254 (Citizen Services Call Center)
  • Purpose: Tax registration and lodging tax questions

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services

  • Contact: Typically handled through local health department
  • Purpose: State-level licensing requirements

Source Links and Additional Resources

Official City of Missoula Resources

Health Department Resources

State Resources

Third-Party Resources

Supporting Documents

News and Updates

Important Note for Investors: This regulatory framework represents Missoula's current approach to balancing tourism opportunities with residential housing preservation. The city's position as a university community and recreational destination creates a unique market dynamic that requires careful compliance to ensure sustainable operations. Regular review of city communications and updates to regulations is essential for long-term success in Missoula's short-term rental

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Missoula

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 Missoula Market Analysis

Photos of Missoula

Overview of Missoula

Missoula sits in the western part of Montana, where it serves as the county seat of Missoula County and the second-largest city in the state. With an approximate population of 75,000, it has the feel of a lively college town thanks to the University of Montana, while still functioning as a regional hub for the surrounding mountain communities. The city rests in a broad valley along the Clark Fork River, framed by several mountain ranges, and is widely known as a gateway to some of the most scenic outdoor terrain in the Northern Rockies. The nearest sizable city is Spokane, Washington, roughly 200 miles to the west, while Helena, the state capital, lies about 110 miles to the east.

The biggest marquee attraction within reach of Missoula is Glacier National Park, an alpine expanse of glaciers, lakes, and jagged peaks along the Canadian border. From downtown Missoula, the park's west entrance is approximately a three-hour drive north, and many travelers use the city as a base for both hiking trips and scenic drives along the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.

About 70 miles north of the city, Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, ringed by small resort towns, cherry orchards, and forested shoreline. It draws boaters, anglers, and families in summer, and the drive from Missoula winds through the Mission Valley, adding to the day's adventure.

Closer to town, A Carousel for Missoula is a hand-carved carousel in the heart of downtown that has become a beloved community landmark, offering rides to families along the riverfront. The nearby Smokejumper Visitor Center, operated by the U.S. Forest Service, gives visitors a look at the work of the nation's wildland firefighters through exhibits and an aircraft hangar, and it sits just off the main highway into town.

For a half-day excursion, Garnet Ghost Town lies about an hour's drive east of Missoula in the Garnet Mountains, offering a remarkably well-preserved glimpse of an 1890s gold-mining settlement. The surrounding Lolo National Forest adds hiking, camping, and winter sports to the mix and is essentially at the city's doorstep.

Missoula's appeal for short-term rentals lies in this blend of urban amenities and immediate access to wilderness. Visitors can spend a morning strolling the riverfront and visiting a downtown museum, then drive a few hours to stand beside a glacier or sail on a mountain lake. The University of Montana keeps the calendar full of events year-round, while the surrounding forests, rivers, and peaks provide four seasons of outdoor activity. Few places in the Northern Rockies combine this much variety with a walkable, food-and-drink-friendly downtown, which is why Missoula continues to draw travelers exploring western Montana.

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