No, short term rentals are approved for the current owner of the property. If the property is sold or otherwise transferred the approval terminates and a new application is required. 

STR registrations are good for one year. This clock starts on the day that your registration is approved and your approval letter is mailed. If your STR is a grandfathered use, failure to renew your registration prior to expiration will result in termination of your STR license and there will be no grace period to re-apply.

PDF files are the preferred file type for upload. However, we accept image files, Microsoft Word and Excel document files. The reviewer will be running a Windows machine so make sure your files are compatible with Windows OS.

There is a restriction on file size. The software will not accept files that are 1MB or larger. Make sure that the files you’re uploading fit within the limitations of the software

There is no limit on how many files you can upload. The most important factor is that you use a meaningful naming protocol to save your files prior to upload. This helps us quickly identify the document we’re reviewing.

Short Term Rentals are defined in Sec. 38.42.2835 of the Bozeman Municipal Code as: “A vacation home, tourist home as defined in MCA 50-51-102, a dwelling as defined in 38.42.940, accessory dwelling unit, or room within a vacation home or dwelling, which is rented by or on behalf of the owner to the general public for compensation for transient occupancy as provided for in article 22.”

The distinctions between different types of Short terms rentals are:

• Type-1:  A short term rental of one or more bedrooms in an owner-occupied dwelling while the owner is occupying the same dwelling unit for the entire rental period.
• Type-2: 
  1. A short term rental of an owner-occupied dwelling if the owner is not occupying the dwelling during the entire rental period. 
  2. A short term rental of a permitted accessory dwelling unit (ADU) whether or not the ADU’s owner is present in the primary dwelling unit during the rental period.
  3. A short term rental of one dwelling unit within a duplex whether or not the duplex’s owner is present in the duplex’s other dwelling unit during the rental period.
• Type-3:   A short term rental that is not owner-occupied.

There is a maximum capacity that is determined by the type of short term rental you have and the number of sleeping areas.

The owner of a Type-1 short term rental may rent or offer for rent up to two bedrooms in the dwelling, except that in a two-bedroom dwelling, only one bedroom may be rented or offered for rent.  No other area of the dwelling may be rented or offered for rent. 

The maximum occupancy of a Type-2 or Type-3 short term rental is two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons, except that this number may be reduced by the city based on available parking spaces.

There are three fees charged by the City of Bozeman for short term rentals. Not every fee applies to all short term rentals.

1. Annual registration fee of $250 dollars
2. A safety inspection fee of $225 is charged with initial registration. (This is not an annual fee)
3. Some short term rentals will require review and approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). A conditional use permit application fee is $1,508. This fee will be adjusted for inflation on January 1^st. Only those STRs which meet the definition of a type 3 short term rental in all residential districts, or type 2 short term rentals in the R-S and R-1 zoning districts, and which did not previously receive approval of a conditional use permit will require a conditional use permit.

Yes. The Vacation Rental / Short Term Rental Fire safety inspection looks for different things than a standard inspection for occupancy. Please refer to Bozeman Fire’s STR Applicant Checklist to prepare for your inspection.

You will require four documents when you apply:

1. State lodging tax registration number from the State of Montana Department of Revenue
2. Fire-Safety Inspection Form
3. Application for public accommodation license through the Gallatin City-County Health Department 
4. Sketch Plan or Site Plan (exterior)
5. Floor Plan (interior)

Not registering a short term rental is a misdemeanor offense. A misdemeanor is subject to penalties established in Section 38.200.160 [CCS1] of the Bozeman Municipal Code including fines, imprisonment, and civil penalties

A conditional use permit (CUP) is a type of land development review used for uses that are questionable in certain locations Most short term rentals will not require a CUP. A CUP is required when an application occurs for a type of short term rental not allowed under the new regulations that take effect on December 1, 2017. Such applications have been allowed to enable existing facilities to come into compliance with the new regulations. . A CUP for a short term rental is approved by the Director of Community Development. If you believe that you may require a CUP please make an appointment with the Department of Community Development to verify this and to obtain the required forms and information on how to apply.

A checklist of required home features and equipment will be evaluated by a fire inspector. A fire-safety inspection must be scheduled via Bozeman Fire's Schedulicity page. If the fire inspector finds that the home does not pass inspection they will identify necessary corrections. A follow up inspection will need to be scheduled. Additional inspection fees may apply.

**Other districts not listed do not allow short term rentals. These districts are shown on the Short Term Rental Map Viewer**

 Authorized Use Key:

• Principal uses are indicated with a "P,"
• Conditional uses are indicated with a "C,"
• Uses which are not permitted with the district are indicated by a " — "

Short term rental registrations are for a term of one year. At the end of that year, the registration must be renewed. If you sell or otherwise transfer the property to another the registration terminates and a new application must be made. The Director of Community Development may revoke a registration if the regulations are not followed.

Some short term rentals that are not usually allowed, like a type 2 or type 3 in the R-1 zone, may have been allowed through the special grandfathering provisions of Ordinance 1974. If the registration is allowed to lapse then that short term rental cannot be reestablished. If the property is transferred to another owner that will also terminate the registration and a new short term rental cannot be reestablished. It was the intention of the City Commission to use this approach to gradually remove short term rentals which exist in areas not authorized by the new regulations.  

If your property is located in the R-3, R-4, R-5, or R-O, B-2,B2-M, or B-3 districts you may apply now for approval for an extended stay lodging under the current rules. When that initial approval expires, typically one year after approval, you will need to renew your approval under the new regulations.

If you are in the R-S, R-1, R-2, or NEHMU district you may apply for a short term rental on or after December 1, 2017.

An interactive map viewer which will show zoning districts and other information is available.

Please schedule your fire inspection via Bozeman Fire's Schedulicity page before submitting your registration to the Community Development Department. 

A public accommodations license is issued by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services after inspection by the Gallatin City-County Health Department. Public accommodation licenses are required by state law, administrative rules of Montana, and local health department regulations.

 The Health Department offices are at 215 W. Mendenhall, on the corner of 3rd St. and Mendenhall one block north of Main St. Forms can be obtained online and they can be reached at the number below.

• Gallatin City-County Health Department: (406) 582-3120
• ehs@gallatin.mt.gov
• http://healthygallatin.org/permits-licensing/lodging/