Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Kalispell, MT

Airbnb listings are allowed in Kalispell, MT, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals in Kalispell require a city short-term residential rental permit with site plan and life-safety inspection; applicants must provide a Flathead City-County Public Accommodation (Tourist Home) license and Montana Sales & Use Tax registration. A local 24/7 contact must be provided, adjacent property owners within 150 feet are notified (15-day comment period), and occupancy may be limited by sewage capacity. 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.

Short-term rentals in Kalispell require a city short-term residential rental permit with site plan and life-safety inspection; applicants must provide a Flathead City-County Public Accommodation (Tourist Home) license and Montana Sales & Use Tax registration. A local 24/7 contact must be provided, adjacent property owners within 150 feet are notified (15-day comment period), and occupancy may be limited by sewage capacity.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Kalispell. 1) Submit the Kalispell Short-Term Residential Rental Application to the Planning Department with a $166 fee, site/floor plans, proof of Flathead City-County Public Accommodation license, and MT Sales & Use Tax permit. 2) Schedule and pass a Planning Department life-safety inspection. 3) City staff notifies neighbors within 150 feet for a 15-day comment period; if no significant opposition occurs, an Administrative Conditional Use Permit is issued.

1) Submit the Kalispell Short-Term Residential Rental Application to the Planning Department with a $166 fee, site/floor plans, proof of Flathead City-County Public Accommodation license, and MT Sales & Use Tax permit. 2) Schedule and pass a Planning Department life-safety inspection. 3) City staff notifies neighbors within 150 feet for a 15-day comment period; if no significant opposition occurs, an Administrative Conditional Use Permit is issued.

Vrbo is permitted in Kalispell, 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 Kalispell 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 Kalispell. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.