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Philipsburg, MT

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STR Regulations for Philipsburg, Montana

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Philipsburg, Montana, but with significant regulatory requirements and restrictions. Philipsburg operates within Granite County's regulatory framework, which has specific rules governing short-term rental operations. While the town itself doesn't appear to have comprehensive STR-specific ordinances, Granite County has established clear guidelines that all STR operators must follow, including licensing requirements, inspections, zoning restrictions, and tax obligations.

The regulatory environment is actively evolving, with cities across Montana implementing stricter STR regulations to address housing availability, tax compliance, and community safety concerns. Philipsburg investors should expect continued regulatory development and maintain proactive compliance.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Philipsburg?

Philipsburg hosts earn a median $28,192/year with $228 ADR and 47% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $36,157+ per year.

See the full Philipsburg market breakdown

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

Step 1: Pre-Listing Compliance Assessment

Before purchasing or listing any property, conduct a comprehensive zoning and regulatory review:

Verify Zoning Compliance:

  • Confirm your property location allows STR operations
  • Check if property falls within restricted zones (particularly Georgetown Lake Zoning District where rental units are prohibited)
  • Review Granite County's Rent and Lease Regulations if planning multiple units

Contact County Planning Department:

  • Speak with County Planner Linda Bouck at (406) 859-7021 or gcplanning@co.granite.mt.us
  • Submit property details for compliance verification

Step 2: Obtain Required Permits and Licenses

Short-Term Rental License (Required):

  • Apply for Granite County short-term rental license
  • License must be renewed annually
  • Subject to county inspection before approval
  • Contact Tri-County Sanitarian at (406) 563-4035 before listing

Additional Permits May Include:

  • Zoning compliance permit (Georgetown Lake area)
  • Septic permit from Tri-County Sanitarian
  • State electrical and plumbing permits if structure has utilities

Step 3: Tax Registration and Setup

State Tax Obligations:

  • Register with Montana Department of Revenue for lodging tax collection
  • Understand filing requirements and schedules
  • Implement proper record-keeping systems

Local Tax Considerations:

  • Verify current accommodation tax rates (sources indicate 7-8%)
  • Set up systems for tax collection and remittance

Step 4: Operational Preparation

Property Standards:

  • Ensure property meets safety and habitability standards
  • Prepare for county inspection process
  • Establish occupancy limits and safety protocols

Legal Compliance:

  • Review Montana eviction laws for overstaying guests
  • Understand local noise, parking, and nuisance ordinances
  • Consider HOA restrictions if applicable

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

County-Level Requirements

Granite County Short-Term Rental License:

  • Application through Planning Department
  • Annual renewal required
  • County inspection mandatory
  • Contact: (406) 859-7021

Zoning Compliance (Georgetown Lake Area Only):

  • Zoning compliance permit required prior to construction
  • $100 fee
  • Application to Granite County Planning, P.O. Box 925, Philipsburg MT 59858
  • Sketch plans showing setbacks and height required

Subdivision Review (Multiple Units):

  • More than one RV site for rental = subdivision under MT law
  • More than 5 rental units = review under Granite County Rent and Lease Regulations

State-Level Requirements

Montana Department of Revenue Registration:

  • Required for lodging tax collection and remittance
  • Registration mandatory if hosting platform doesn't collect taxes
  • Contact Montana DOR for business entity registration if forming LLC

State Building/Commercial Permits:

  • Contact State of Montana at (406) 841-2056
  • Required for commercial buildings including multi-family structures
  • Electrical and plumbing permits required for structures with utilities

Property-Specific Permits

Septic Permits:

  • Required from Tri-County Sanitarian prior to construction
  • Contact Chad Lanes at (406) 560-3190

Physical Addressing:

  • Properties in Philipsburg: (406) 859-3821
  • Properties in Drummond: (406) 288-3231

Encroachment Permits:

  • Required for new, relocated, or reconstructed driveways
  • Contact Granite County Commissioners at (406) 859-7023

Documentation Requirements

For License Application:

  • Property ownership documentation
  • Site plans and property sketches
  • Safety compliance evidence
  • Waste management plan
  • Contact information for local emergency services

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State Level

State of Montana Regulations

Tax Structure:

  • 8% total lodging taxes (4% Lodging Facility Use Tax + 4% Lodging Sales Tax)
  • Additional local resort/tourism taxes possible (2-4%)
  • Filing schedules vary by revenue volume

Legal Framework:

  • Montana eviction laws apply to overstaying guests
  • No statewide STR license requirement
  • Business entity registration through Secretary of State if applicable

Building and Safety Codes:

  • State adoption of building, electrical, plumbing, fire, and mechanical codes
  • Commercial structures require state permits
  • Safety standards for elevators and platform lifts

Granite County Regulations

STR-Specific Rules:

  • Short-term rental license mandatory
  • Annual license renewal required
  • County inspection before operation approval
  • Contact with Tri-County Sanitarian required before listing

Zoning Restrictions:

  • Georgetown Lake Zoning District: STR units NOT permitted
  • Residential zoning may have STR restrictions
  • More than 5 rental units triggers Rent and Lease Regulations review

Subdivision Rules:

  • Multiple RV rental sites constitute subdivision
  • Boundary relocations and family transfers have exemptions
  • Subdivision review under County Subdivision Regulations

Environmental and Safety:

  • Floodplain permit required for properties within flood zones
  • Septic permits mandatory before construction
  • Fire safety standards for Georgetown Lake area

Town of Philipsburg (Municipal Level)

Current Status:

  • No comprehensive STR-specific ordinances identified in available town code
  • General business license requirements may apply
  • Building and zoning codes adopted (Title 9)

General Ordinances Impacting STRs:

  • Noise ordinances (5-1A-2)
  • Nuisance abatement procedures (4-1)
  • Parking restrictions during special events (6-4-4)
  • Public health and safety regulations

Business Licensing:

  • General business licenses required (3-1)
  • Itinerant vendor regulations for transient businesses (3-3)
  • Special event permitting for commercial activities (7-7)

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary STR Regulation Contacts

Granite County Planning Department

  • Phone: (406) 859-7021
  • Email: gcplanning@co.granite.mt.us
  • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 925, Philipsburg, MT 59858
  • Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm
  • Contact Person: Linda Bouck, County Planner

Tri-County Sanitarian

  • Phone: (406) 563-4035
  • Joint office with Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
  • Important: Specify Granite County location when calling
  • Responsible for septic permits and STR health compliance

Supporting Department Contacts

Granite County Commissioners (Encroachment Permits)

  • Phone: (406) 859-7023
  • Required for driveway access permits

State of Montana Building Permits

  • Phone: (406) 841-2056
  • Required for commercial buildings and electrical/plumbing permits

Septic Permits

  • Contact: Chad Lanes
  • Phone: (406) 560-3190

Physical Addressing

  • Philipsburg Properties: (406) 859-3821
  • Drummond Properties: (406) 288-3231

Tax and Revenue Contacts

Montana Department of Revenue

  • State lodging tax registration and compliance
  • Contact through state website or local office

Granite County Treasurer

  • Phone: (406) 859-7021
  • Local tax collection and property tax questions

Links to Source Pages

Official Government Sources

  1. Granite County Planning Department - https://www.granitecountymt.us/county-planning-department

    • Primary source for STR regulations and zoning compliance

  2. Town of Philipsburg Ordinances - https://www.townofphilipsburgmt.com/ordinances-index

    • Municipal code and general business regulations

  3. FEMA Flood Map Service Center - https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

    • Floodplain status verification for property compliance

State Resources

  1. Montana Secretary of State - Business Licensing - https://sosmt.gov/business/

    • Business entity registration requirements

  2. Montana Department of Revenue - State tax registration and lodging tax compliance

Planning and Zoning Documents

  1. Granite County Zoning Documents - Available through Planning Department

    • Zoning compliance applications and regulations
    • Georgetown Lake Zoning District information
    • Rent and Lease Regulations

  2. Granite County Floodplain Regulations - Available through Planning Department

    • Floodplain permit requirements and regulations

Local Services and Information

  1. Montana State Building Codes - State implementation of building, electrical, plumbing, and fire codes

  2. Georgetown Lake Zoning District - Specific zoning maps and regulations for restricted areas

Industry Resources

  1. RedAwning Montana STR Laws Guide - https://www.redawning.com/pm/post/montana-short-term-rental-laws

    • State-level regulatory overview and tax information

  2. GoSummer Philipsburg Market Guide - https://www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/philipsburg-montana

    • Market-specific STR requirements and local insights

Important Note: Regulatory requirements in Philipsburg and Granite County are actively evolving. Investors should regularly contact the Planning Department and monitor municipal/county meetings for ordinance updates. The regulatory environment suggests continued tightening of STR requirements across Montana, making proactive compliance and relationship-building with local authorities essential for successful operations.

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Philipsburg

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
10/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Philipsburg Market Analysis

Photos of Philipsburg

Overview of Philipsburg

Philipsburg is a small town of roughly 900 residents that serves as the county seat of Granite County in western Montana. Tucked into the upper Clark Fork Valley at the foot of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, it has the feel of a place that time largely skipped over, with a tidy brick-and-boardwalk downtown that dates to its silver-mining boom in the 1880s. Today it functions less as a working mine town and more as a year-round basecamp for outdoor recreation, with a steadily growing reputation for sapphire mining, fly fishing, and winter sports. The nearest major city is Butte, approximately 50 miles to the east along Interstate 90, while Missoula lies about 90 miles to the northwest.

The historic downtown is the heart of the town's identity, a preserved block of late-nineteenth-century storefronts now occupied by galleries, antique shops, and a famously over-the-top candy store. The restored Philipsburg Theatre, a onetime opera house built during the mining era, anchors the main street and still hosts live performances and films. Visitors can usually park once and spend a full afternoon wandering the short row of businesses, which together give the town the feel of a small Western film set.

Just west of town, Georgetown Lake sits at about 6,400 feet in the Flint Creek Range and is a popular summer destination for boating, camping, and rainbow-trout fishing, with a handful of small resorts and public boat launches along its roughly 3,000-acre shoreline. The drive from Philipsburg takes about 20 minutes and the road climbs steadily through forested country, so the lake tends to feel considerably more remote than the short distance suggests.

In the same direction and at even higher elevation lies the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, a roughly 158,000-acre block of peaks, alpine lakes, and meadows that adjoins the town on its southern edge. Day hikes into the wilderness, including routes to places like Warren Lake and the crest of the Pintler ridgeline, begin within a short drive of downtown and draw hikers, backpackers, and in summer, outfitters running trips into the backcountry. The same road network continues on to Discovery Ski Area, a family-oriented mountain about 25 minutes west of town that adds a winter season to the town's appeal.

What makes Philipsburg work as a short-term rental market is the unusual combination of a walkable, photogenic downtown with immediate access to high-country recreation in every season. Guests can spend a morning panning for sapphires, an afternoon on Georgetown Lake, and an evening catching a show at the old theatre, all without ever straying far from a single, very compact base. For owners, that mix of small-town charm, four-season activity, and a relative lack of comparable lodging in the immediate area tends to translate into steady demand from weekenders, leaf-peepers in fall, anglers in summer, and skiers once the snow flies.

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