Overview

• Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Darby, Montana. Yes — explicitly, STRs in the form of tourist homes/vacation rentals are permitted in Montana and are regulated as public sleeping accommodations. In Ravalli County, where Darby is located, they are subject to plan review, inspections, and a Public Sleeping Accommodation License issued by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MDPHHS) and administered locally by Ravalli County Environmental Health (RCEH). No city-specific Darby STR ordinance was found in the provided content; county and state rules apply.

What qualifies as an STR here

• STRs are treated as “tourist homes” or “vacation rentals” and are classified as public sleeping accommodations under Montana rules. Hotels, motels, rooming houses, boarding houses, and hostels are in the same category. This guide applies to such uses serving transient guests (not bed & breakfasts, guest ranches, or outfitting & guide facilities, which are regulated differently).

How to start an STR business in Darby, MT

• Step-by-step process (expect 20–30 days before you can begin physical work):
  1. Thoroughly review the health plan requirements and develop your project plans before buying equipment or materials.
  2. Submit the required plan review package to RCEH. If you will build or remodel, also contact the appropriate building code authority (Darby city inspector if within city limits, otherwise the State of Montana).
  3. Include a $100 Plan Review Fee (payable to RCEH).
  4. Await sanitarian approval. Approval expires if construction has not begun within two years.
  5. After plan approval, obtain all necessary building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits from the jurisdiction in charge.
  6. Complete construction or conversion, then schedule required inspections.
  7. Provide copies of final inspections to RCEH for your pre-opening health inspection.
  8. At pre-opening inspection, submit the Public Sleeping Accommodation License fee to RCEH (payable to MDPHHS): • $40 for 1–10 rooms • $80 for 11–25 rooms • $160 for 26+ rooms
  9. Display the license at the establishment in a visible location once issued. The license is not transferable (new owner, new location, or added rooms require new review/approval).

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Documents and plans to submit to RCEH: • Completed Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review checklist (ARM Title 37, Chapter 111, Subchapter 1). • Detailed site/floor plans showing laundry facilities (including hand sinks and janitor sinks), storage (bedding, extra furnishings, cleaning supplies), and ice machines (except guest-room freezers). Include swimming pools/spas or other recreational water features if present. • Food service plans (if you will provide food to guests), including menus, equipment list (with manufacturer/model), finish materials for food areas, and a diagram showing locations of all food equipment, sinks, storage, mop sink, restrooms, dishwashing sinks/machines. • Laundry process flow chart (sorting, washing, drying, ironing, folding, storage; use colors if helpful). • Water supply and wastewater systems information: – If using a public system: provide PWSID and note if DEQ connection approval is needed. – If developing a new public system (15+ connections or serving 25+ persons daily for 60+ days/year): plans must be reviewed/approved by DEQ. – If using nonpublic systems: provide construction/maintenance standards (FCS Circular 1-2012), include coliform and nitrate test results, and identify sampling frequency (coliform twice per year; nitrate every three years). – For nonpotable sources: confirm no cross-connection to potable systems and mark “not for human consumption.” • Solid waste arrangements: – Contracts with a licensed hauler, or – Direct delivery to a licensed solid waste facility; removal at least weekly (or request a written deviation with risk controls). • Cleaning and maintenance standards: finish materials and ventilation for guest rooms, bathrooms, laundry, and janitor areas; anti-slip surfaces for tubs/showers; pest control plan; handwashing sink requirements; janitor sink details (or approved deviations for tourist homes); ozone air purifier restrictions; lighting adequacy; water temperature settings (mixing valves 100–120°F). • Ice handling: sourcing, storage/handling, air-gapped drains, staff-dispensed scoop management. • Pools/spas: if offered to guests, confirm licensing/inspection applicability. • Guest registration: maintain a guest register for at least one year (name, contact info, unit assignment).
• Building permits and inspections: • State building codes apply to all commercial buildings. Contact the relevant jurisdiction: – City of Darby (within city limits): Darby Town Hall (406) 821-3753 – Outside Darby city limits: State of Montana, Steve Clark (406) 841-2053 – State Fire Marshal: Dawn Drollinger (406) 257-2584
• Licenses and fees: • Plan Review Fee: $100 payable to RCEH. • Public Sleeping Accommodation License: payable to MDPHHS at the pre-opening inspection ($40/$80/$160 based on room count). • Other potential approvals: retail food service license if serving the general public (not just overnight guests), public pool/spa licensing if applicable.
• Important conditions: • License must be displayed; license is non-transferable. • RCEH approval does not exempt you from other federal, state, or local requirements (e.g., business licensing, fire safety, retail food licensing). • Any structural additions (guest rooms/cabins/structures) require prior RCEH review/approval.

Specific regulations and standards (city/county/state)

• City-level (Darby): No city-specific STR ordinance or zoning provisions are provided in the content. Darby falls within Ravalli County; STRs are treated as tourist homes under state/county public accommodation rules.
• County-level (Ravalli County): • STRs operate as public sleeping accommodations; RCEH conducts plan review, inspections, and local administration of state licensing rules (ARM Title 37, Chapter 111, Subchapter 1). • Building and fire inspections are coordinated with the appropriate jurisdiction: City of Darby (if inside city limits), otherwise State of Montana, with fire oversight by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. • Nonpublic water/wastewater systems must meet state standards and sampling/testing requirements; DEQ approval is required for public water/wastewater systems. • Solid waste must be managed via licensed services or facilities; weekly removal is standard.
• State-level (Montana): • Public Sleeping Accommodation Licensing governed by ARM Title 37, Chapter 111, Subchapter 1. • Food service to overnight guests only: covered by ARM Title 37, Chapter 110, Subchapter 2 (no separate food license required for guest-only service); serving the general public requires retail food licensing. • Public water supply and wastewater systems are regulated by DEQ (ARM Title 17). • State building codes and fire/life safety requirements apply; obtain permits and inspections as applicable.
• Zoning considerations: • While no zoning rules are included, STRs must be located in zoning districts that allow tourist homes/vacation rentals. Confirm zoning compliance with Ravalli County Planning & Zoning or the City of Darby before proceeding, as zoning determines permissible land uses.

Contact information (phone/email/website)

• Ravalli County Environmental Health (RCEH) • Address: 215 South 4th Street – Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840 • Phone: (406) 375-6565 • Fax: (406) 375-6566
• Building/Fire Contacts • City of Darby (building): Darby Town Hall (406) 821-3753 • State of Montana (building): Steve Clark (406) 841-2053 • State Fire Marshal’s Office: Dawn Drollinger (406) 257-2584
• Licensing • Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MDPHHS) — Public Sleeping Accommodation License • Mailing address: submit fee via RCEH at pre-opening inspection (payable to MDPHHS)

Links to source pages

• Ravalli County Environmental Health: Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review (2020) — ravalli.us/DocumentCenter/View/4944/PubAccom-VacHome-Plan-Review-2020

Notes

• This guide synthesizes the provided Montana/Ravalli County materials and does not include Pennsylvania sources (Darby Borough, PA), which are not applicable to Darby, MT.
• For zoning confirmation and any additional local requirements (e.g., business licensing, taxes), contact Ravalli County Planning & Zoning and the City of Darby.