| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Montana Resort Tax applies (Whitefish resort tax — hosts must report and remit monthly per permit application). Montana state bed tax (lodging tax) ad |
| Minimum Stay | 30 days or less (definition of STR under Whitefish City Code § 11-3-35). Medium-term rentals (30–90 days) also require resort residential zoning under |
| Permit Fee | Short-Term Rental Permit + Business Registration required (contact City of Whitefish Planning & Building at 406-863-2410 for current fee schedule). An |
| Penalties | Non-compliance may result in revocation of STR permit and business registration, plus possible enforcement action under Whitefish City Code. Annual in |
| Occupancy Limit | Must not exceed the allowable dwelling unit density of the underlying zoning district. Off-street parking requirements apply per Chapter 6 of Whitefis |
Short-term rentals in Whitefish, Montana are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Short-Term Rental Permit + Business Registration required (contact City of Whitefish Planning & Buil.
Short-term rental operators in Whitefish should be aware of these tax obligations: Montana Resort Tax applies (Whitefish resort tax — hosts must report and remit monthly per permit application). Montana state bed tax (lodging tax) administered by Montana Department of Revenue. No Montana state sales tax..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Whitefish include: Occupancy limit: Must not exceed the allowable dwelling unit density of the underlying zoning district. Off-street parking requirements a. Minimum stay: 30 days or less (definition of STR under Whitefish City Code § 11-3-35). Medium-term rentals (30–90 days) also require r.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Whitefish: STRs strictly limited to five zoning districts only: WB-3 (General Business), WRR-1 (Resort Residential 1), WRR-2 (Resort Residential 2), WRB-1 (Resort Business 1), WRB-2 (Resort Business 2). STRs are. Density rules: Density capped at allowable dwelling unit density of underlying zoning district per § 11-3-35(c). No more units may operate as STRs than are permitted.
Hosts who fail to comply with Whitefish's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Non-compliance may result in revocation of STR permit and business registration, plus possible enforcement action under Whitefish City Code. Annual inspection failure results in permit non-renewal..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Whitefish: Hosts must verify and ensure state bed tax and resort tax remittance; platforms may not remit all applicable taxes. Confirm with Montana Department of Revenue..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Whitefish but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Whitefish City Code § 11-3-35 governs STR standards. Requirements include: (1) valid STR registration and business license; (2) zoning conformance; (3) density limit compliance; (4) off-street parking
Yes. Whitefish requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Whitefish are subject to the following tax obligations: Montana Resort Tax applies (Whitefish resort tax — hosts must report and remit monthly per permit application). Montana state bed tax (lodging tax) administered by Montana Department of Revenue. No Montana state sales tax..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Whitefish may face enforcement. Non-compliance may result in revocation of STR permit and business registration, plus possible enforcement action under Whitefish City Code. Annual inspection failure results in permit non-renewal..
Whitefish is one of Montana's most regulated STR markets due to housing pressure from Whitefish Mountain Resort and Glacier National Park tourism. The strict zone-limited approach means the vast majority of residential properties in Whitefish are ineligible for STR use. Two regulatory layers exist: city rules for properties within city limits, Flathead County rules for properties outside city limi
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