How to get a short-term rental permit in Bozeman, MT (2026)
Bozeman requires Short Term Rental (STR) Hosting Permit — the fee is $325, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short Term Rental (STR) Hosting Permit |
| Permit fee | $325 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Bozeman restricts short-term rentals to your primary residence, so confirm the property qualifies before applying. Under the new Unified Development Code effective Feb 1, 2026, STRs are allowed only as accessory uses in certain zones. Former R-S, R-1 and R-2 districts were consolidated into the new R-A district, where the city states only Type 1 STRs (rented bedrooms in an occupied host residence) are allowed; Type 2 STRs previously operating there may no longer be permitted. The adopted UDC use table authorizes Type 1 and Type 2 STRs as accessory uses in R-B, R-C, R-D, B-2, B-2M, B-3, B-3C, REMU and NEHMU districts, and prohibits STRs in B-1, B-P, M-1, M-2 and PLI. Type 3 (non-primary-residence) STRs are prohibited citywide; pre-Dec-14-2023 'Legacy Type 3' permits may continue only while their permit stays continuously valid. NOTE: a pending 2026 text amendment (Application 26307) would add Type 2 STRs as an accessory use in the R-A district; the Community Development Board recommended on June 15, 2026 allowing any Type 2 (existing or new) in R-A, and the City Commission held its public hearing July 14, 2026 — outcome not yet published as of July 21, 2026.
- 2
Apply for the Short Term Rental (STR) Hosting Permit
Submit the Short Term Rental (STR) Hosting Permit application to Bozeman and pay the $325 fee. Annual registration fee of $325 per STR (a separate permit is required for each rental). A separate city fire inspection fee also applies for the required initial fire inspection (inspections recur every 3 years; re-inspections incur additional fees) — current inspection fee amount is set by city commission resolution and was not published on the STR page. Applicants must also obtain a Montana DOR lodging tax registration and a Gallatin County/state public accommodation license (county/state fees separate).
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Bozeman. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Bozeman changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Keep going
Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Bozeman before applying.