Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Chouteau County, MT

Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are allowed in Chouteau County, MT, but operators must obtain a permit before listing. Short-term rentals are classified as 'tourist homes' and must comply with state public accommodation standards, including health and safety inspections. Locally, a Development Permit is required for changes of use in unincorporated areas of Chouteau County. License fees are tiered based on the number of guest rooms (e.g., $40 for 1-10 rooms). "Airbnb" is a brand name; the rules on this page apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.). See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are classified as 'tourist homes' and must comply with state public accommodation standards, including health and safety inspections. Locally, a Development Permit is required for changes of use in unincorporated areas of Chouteau County. License fees are tiered based on the number of guest rooms (e.g., $40 for 1-10 rooms).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Chouteau County. 1. Schedule a pre-application meeting with the Chouteau County Planning Department and submit a Development Permit Application for any change of use. 2. Contact the county sanitarian to obtain and submit a Public Accommodation License application and undergo a plan review. 3. Submit the completed license application and required fees to the DPHHS via the local regulatory authority.

1. Schedule a pre-application meeting with the Chouteau County Planning Department and submit a Development Permit Application for any change of use. 2. Contact the county sanitarian to obtain and submit a Public Accommodation License application and undergo a plan review. 3. Submit the completed license application and required fees to the DPHHS via the local regulatory authority.

Yes. Vrbo operates under the same short-term rental rules as Airbnb in Chouteau County, MT, since regulations apply to the rental activity rather than the booking platform. A permit is required before you list on Vrbo or any other platform. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Chouteau County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Chouteau County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.