Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Lincoln County, MT

Airbnb listings are allowed in Lincoln County, MT, but with restrictions. Lincoln County regulates buildings for lease or rent under MCA 76-8-102, requiring county review for rental buildings. Exemptions include properties with three or fewer buildings built before Sept. 1, 2013, agricultural uses, and facilities subject to state lodging tax. Applications require a site plan, title report, and narrative, with county staff authorized to conduct inspections during the review. 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.

Lincoln County regulates buildings for lease or rent under MCA 76-8-102, requiring county review for rental buildings. Exemptions include properties with three or fewer buildings built before Sept. 1, 2013, agricultural uses, and facilities subject to state lodging tax. Applications require a site plan, title report, and narrative, with county staff authorized to conduct inspections during the review.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Lincoln County. 1) Submit the 'Building for Rent or Lease' application to the Planning Department with a fee ($500 + $50/unit), title report, site plan, and detailed narrative. 2) Undergo county staff review, which may include property inspections. 3) Obtain a Certificate of Compliance or other required documentation as determined during the sufficiency review.

1) Submit the 'Building for Rent or Lease' application to the Planning Department with a fee ($500 + $50/unit), title report, site plan, and detailed narrative. 2) Undergo county staff review, which may include property inspections. 3) Obtain a Certificate of Compliance or other required documentation as determined during the sufficiency review.

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