Whitefish Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental Permit and Business Registration ($400) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | 11% |
| Max Penalty | $500 per violation (each day is a separate violation) |
| Insurance | Not required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Short-Term Rental Permit and Business Registration
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $400 |
| Renewal | $400 / 1 year |
This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Allowed only in WB-3, WRR-1, WRR-2, WRB-1, and WRB-2 zoning districts.
Application Process
Confirm the property is within an allowed zoning district, submit the Short-Term Rental Application, pay the annual application fee, complete an annual fire inspection, and provide proof of application for a State of Montana public accommodation (tourist home) license administered by the Flathead City-County Health Department
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| MT Lodging Facility Use Tax | 4% | Montana Department of Revenue |
| MT Lodging Facility Sales Tax | 4% | Montana Department of Revenue |
| Whitefish Resort Tax | 3% | City of Whitefish |
Combined rate: 11% of gross rental income.
Collection: Short-term rental marketplaces and online hosting platforms collect, report, and pay the state lodging taxes; hosts must separately report and remit the Whitefish Resort Tax to the City
Filing: Monthly resort tax reporting and remittance to the City of Whitefish
Rental Limits
Whitefish does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Individual-stay rule: Less than 30 days (stays of 30+ days are not classified as short-term rentals).
Zoning & Restrictions
Permitted only in WB-3, Resort Residential (WRR-1, WRR-2) and Resort Business (WRB-1, WRB-2) districts; not allowed in other residential areas
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Whitefish does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Annual Fire Marshal inspection to ensure the unit meets current safety standards (at application and annually thereafter)
- Post an emergency contact notice visible from outside the front door with owner or local contact name, phone number, and the STR registration number
- Keep the property and buildings maintained and provide trash collection with approved animal-resistant containers if required by the city
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Suspension and possible revocation of business license and STR registration; violation is a misdemeanor (punished per section 1-4-1) or a municipal infraction subject to $300 for the first violation and $500 for each subsequent violation; each day a violation remains is a separate violation
Platform Requirements
- The City STR registration number and hosting site property ID must be listed on any print, internet, or other medium where the rental is marketed or booked
- Advertising a non-compliant or out-of-zone STR is evidence of a violation and may incur enforcement against the owner, property manager, and/or listing agent
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Whitefish:
- Meet safety requirements. Annual Fire Marshal inspection to ensure the unit meets current safety standards (at application and annually thereafter). Post an emergency contact notice visible from outside the front door with owner or local contact name, phone number, and the STR registration number. Keep the property and buildings maintained and provide trash collection with approved animal-resistant containers if required by the city.
- Apply for Short-Term Rental Permit and Business Registration. Submit application + $400 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Montana Department of Revenue (state lodging facility sales and use tax); City of Whitefish (local Resort Tax).
- Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
- Collect and remit taxes. 11% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $400 renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Whitefish?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Whitefish requires a Short-Term Rental Permit and Business Registration.
- Are there major restrictions on short-term rentals in Whitefish?
- Yes — Permitted only in WB-3, Resort Residential (WRR-1, WRR-2) and Resort Business (WRB-1, WRB-2) districts; not allowed in other residential areas. Review the full rules above before listing.
- How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Whitefish?
- A Short-Term Rental Permit and Business Registration in Whitefish costs $400 per year.
- Does Whitefish require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Whitefish allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Whitefish?
- Whitefish does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Whitefish?
- Short-term rental stays in Whitefish are subject to a combined 11% in lodging taxes. This combines 4% MT Lodging Facility Use Tax + 4% MT Lodging Facility Sales Tax + 3% Whitefish Resort Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Whitefish?
- Operating without a permit can cost up to $500 per violation (each day is a separate violation).
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.