Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Red Lodge, MT

Airbnb listings are allowed in Red Lodge, MT, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are allowed in all zoning districts but are subject to a citywide cap of 20% of total dwelling units (382 certificates for 2024-25). Requirements include a local emergency contact reachable within 30 minutes, annual fire inspections, a Carbon County Public Health & Accommodations license, and quarterly resort tax remittance. 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 (less than 30 days) are allowed in all zoning districts but are subject to a citywide cap of 20% of total dwelling units (382 certificates for 2024-25). Requirements include a local emergency contact reachable within 30 minutes, annual fire inspections, a Carbon County Public Health & Accommodations license, and quarterly resort tax remittance.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Red Lodge. 1) Obtain a State of Montana Public Health and Accommodations License via the Carbon County Sanitarian and pass a Red Lodge Fire Department inspection. 2) Apply via the City's STR Portal (Deckard), uploading proof of ownership, the fire inspection report, the county health license, and proof of resort tax bond payment. 3) Pay the $250 registration fee and renew annually by July 1.

1) Obtain a State of Montana Public Health and Accommodations License via the Carbon County Sanitarian and pass a Red Lodge Fire Department inspection. 2) Apply via the City's STR Portal (Deckard), uploading proof of ownership, the fire inspection report, the county health license, and proof of resort tax bond payment. 3) Pay the $250 registration fee and renew annually by July 1.

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