Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Missoula County, MT

Airbnb listings are allowed in Missoula County, MT, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as rentals for less than 28 consecutive days. Tourist homes in residential (R) districts require Neighbor Notification and are reviewed for compliance with Title 20 zoning (MMC 20.40.135); hosting platforms must collect and verify the city STR registration number (MMC 5.130). 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 (STRs) are defined as rentals for less than 28 consecutive days. Tourist homes in residential (R) districts require Neighbor Notification and are reviewed for compliance with Title 20 zoning (MMC 20.40.135); hosting platforms must collect and verify the city STR registration number (MMC 5.130).

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Missoula County. 1) Create an account on the City of Missoula Permit & Licensing Portal and submit an application including zoning info, unit features, and required attachments (Neighbor Notification for tourist homes and Self-Inspection Checklist). 2) Pay the application fee ($636 for 2025) online. 3) Complete staff review and inspections to receive the registration number; renew annually by January 31.

1) Create an account on the City of Missoula Permit & Licensing Portal and submit an application including zoning info, unit features, and required attachments (Neighbor Notification for tourist homes and Self-Inspection Checklist). 2) Pay the application fee ($636 for 2025) online. 3) Complete staff review and inspections to receive the registration number; renew annually by January 31.

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