Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Sanders County, MT

Airbnb listings are allowed in Sanders County, MT, but with restrictions. STRs (Vacation/Tourist Homes) must comply with sanitation standards for water, wastewater, and solid waste. Non-exempt buildings require a Certificate of Approval from the Board of County Commissioners, which involves reviews for emergency services access and impacts on local services. Properties must also be licensed and inspected as public accommodations by the Environmental Health department. 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.

STRs (Vacation/Tourist Homes) must comply with sanitation standards for water, wastewater, and solid waste. Non-exempt buildings require a Certificate of Approval from the Board of County Commissioners, which involves reviews for emergency services access and impacts on local services. Properties must also be licensed and inspected as public accommodations by the Environmental Health department.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Sanders County. 1. Submit an application for a 'Building for Lease or Rent' to the Land Services Administrator with a site plan, impact narratives, and required fees. 2. Obtain sanitation approval from the Environmental Health department and a Certificate of Approval from the Board of County Commissioners. 3. Record the final Certificate of Approval with the Sanders County Clerk & Recorder and obtain a state public accommodation license for a 'Vacation/Tourist Home.'

1. Submit an application for a 'Building for Lease or Rent' to the Land Services Administrator with a site plan, impact narratives, and required fees. 2. Obtain sanitation approval from the Environmental Health department and a Certificate of Approval from the Board of County Commissioners. 3. Record the final Certificate of Approval with the Sanders County Clerk & Recorder and obtain a state public accommodation license for a 'Vacation/Tourist Home.'

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