Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Fort Benton, MT

Airbnb listings are allowed in Fort Benton, MT, but with restrictions. Fort Benton does not publish a city-specific short-term rental ordinance; short-term rentals are not expressly prohibited but must comply with the City’s general business-license requirement and zoning/building-permit rules (see Fort Benton Zoning Ordinance Title 17). At the state level, Montana DPHHS classifies short-term rentals/tourist homes as public accommodations subject to Public Sleeping Accommodations rules and licensure (defined as lodging offered for 30 days or less). A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Fort Benton does not publish a city-specific short-term rental ordinance; short-term rentals are not expressly prohibited but must comply with the City’s general business-license requirement and zoning/building-permit rules (see Fort Benton Zoning Ordinance Title 17). At the state level, Montana DPHHS classifies short-term rentals/tourist homes as public accommodations subject to Public Sleeping Accommodations rules and licensure (defined as lodging offered for 30 days or less).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Fort Benton. 1) Obtain and submit a City of Fort Benton Business License application and pay the applicable fee. 2) Apply for and comply with Montana Public Accommodation licensure via Montana DPHHS (contact local environmental health). 3) Contact the Fort Benton Zoning Official to ensure compliance with Title 17 and submit any required Residential Building Permits for structural changes.

1) Obtain and submit a City of Fort Benton Business License application and pay the applicable fee. 2) Apply for and comply with Montana Public Accommodation licensure via Montana DPHHS (contact local environmental health). 3) Contact the Fort Benton Zoning Official to ensure compliance with Title 17 and submit any required Residential Building Permits for structural changes.

Vrbo is permitted in Fort Benton, MT under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Fort Benton 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 Fort Benton. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.