Short-Term Rental (STR) Investor Guide — Glendive, Montana (Dawson County)

Overview

• Short-term rentals are allowed in Glendive, Montana. The state regulates short-term lodging (e.g., hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, tourist homes/STRs such as Airbnb/VRBO) as “public sleeping accommodations.” STR operators in Glendive must comply with Montana’s public accommodation rules and licensing requirements.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Glendive (Step-by-Step)

1. Understand state-level requirements. Montana treats lodging that serves transient guests as public sleeping accommodations. If your STR fits this definition, Montana rules apply regardless of local zoning.
2. Select a compliant property. Confirm the property can meet Montana sanitation, safety, and operational standards for public sleeping accommodations.
3. Complete plan review with the county. Submit building/operational plans to the county environmental health department/sanitarian where the property is located (Dawson County). The county will review and may require corrections before approval.
4. Apply for licensure/registration. After plan approval, apply for the appropriate state/county licensure/registration as a public accommodation under Montana law.
5. Prepare operations. Implement housekeeping, safety, and guest-services protocols aligned with Montana’s rules (sanitation, water supply, posting requirements, etc.). Prepare guest materials for bed-bug awareness and emergency procedures.
6. Open and maintain compliance. Keep records, maintain standards, and be ready for inspections. Contact your county sanitarian for ongoing compliance questions.

Note on zoning: No specific Glendive or Dawson County zoning, permit, or business license requirements were provided in the source content. Verify locally whether any city/county business licenses or zoning approvals are needed beyond the state public accommodation framework.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Plan Review Application: Submit to the county environmental health department/sanitarian for the property’s jurisdiction (Dawson County) per Montana’s plan-review requirements.
• Public Accommodation License/Registration: Required under Montana’s licensing and regulation statutes for public accommodation establishments (50-51 MCA).
• Operating Plans and Protocols: Housekeeping standards; sanitation and water supply compliance; guest safety and complaint procedures.
• Montana Administrative Rules:
  • 37.111.1 Public Sleeping Accommodations (general rules for lodging facilities).
  • 37.111.3 Bed and Breakfast Establishments (if operating a B&B).
• Montana Statutes (MCA):
  • Licensure & Regulation of Public Accommodation Establishments (50-51 MCA).
• Safety and Health Documentation:
  • Smoke detectors and fire safety measures as required by state law and local codes.
  • Bed bug awareness materials and prevention protocols (state guidance available).
• Guest Notice Materials: Posting requirements and informational handouts as required by Montana public accommodation rules.

No city- or county-specific license or tax documents were provided in the source content. If Glendive or Dawson County impose local business licenses, occupancy taxes, or zoning approvals, those must be obtained separately (confirm with local authorities).

Specific Regulations (City, County, and State)

• State (Montana):
  • STRs are treated as “public sleeping accommodations.” Operators must comply with 37.111.1 and applicable parts of 37.111.3, and obtain licensure under 50-51 MCA.
  • Bed and breakfasts have additional specific rule requirements (37.111.3).
  • Plans are reviewed by county sanitarians; state advises contacting the local environmental health department for the property’s location.
• County (Dawson County):
  • County sanitarians review plans and conduct inspections for public sleeping accommodations. Submit plan review to the county environmental health department where the property is located.
• City (Glendive):
  • No city-specific STR rules were provided in the source content. Confirm with Glendive city authorities regarding business licensing, zoning, or local taxes.

Montana Landlord–Tenant and Lodging Notes Relevant to Operators

• If renting all or part of an owner’s house, Montana’s Fair Housing exemptions limit discrimination rules: an owner renting no more than three rooms within their residence and residing therein is exempt from many discrimination prohibitions.
• Montana does not restrict rent levels; however, retaliatory or discriminatory actions are prohibited.
• Landlords must maintain fit and habitable premises and comply with safety requirements (e.g., smoke detectors). Tenants may have remedies for repairs and habitability issues.

Operators should differentiate between transient guest operations (public sleeping accommodations) and residential tenancy to ensure they apply the correct regulatory framework.

Key Contacts and Information

• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) — Environmental Health & Food Safety (Public Accommodations):
  • Website: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EHFS/PublicAccommodations/index
  • Contact page: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EHFS/Contact
  • Local environmental health departments: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EHFS/countytribalhealthdepts
• Plan Reviews and Local Enforcement:
  • Contact the county environmental health department/sanitarian where the property is located (Dawson County). Submit plan review applications and coordinate inspections through this office.

Sources (Provided Content and Official Links)

• Public Accommodations — DPHHS: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EHFS/PublicAccommodations/index
• Public Sleeping Accommodations Rules (Web): rules.mt.gov/browse/collections/aec52c46-128e-4279-9068-8af5d5432d74/sections/9b58575d-b108-45be-aa19-131c5003f394
• Public Sleeping Accommodations Rules (PDF): dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/FCS/PublicAccomodations/PublicAccommodationsRules2023.pdf
• Bed and Breakfast Establishments (37.111.3): rules.mt.gov/browse/collections/aec52c46-128e-4279-9068-8af5d5432d74/sections/db1d8167-5f3d-4ead-86ab-06aa82aa4407
• Licensure & Regulation of Public Accommodation Establishments (50-51 MCA): leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0500/chapter_0510/parts_index.html
• County Environmental Health Departments Listing: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/EHFS/countytribalhealthdepts

Compliance Checklist for Glendive STR Operators

• Verify the property qualifies as a public sleeping accommodation under Montana rules.
• Submit plan review to Dawson County sanitarian and obtain approval.
• Apply for licensure/registration per Montana’s 50-51 MCA.
• Implement operational procedures for sanitation, safety, housekeeping, and guest communications.
• Maintain records and be ready for inspections; keep current with Montana rules (37.111.1; 37.111.3 if B&B).
• Confirm local requirements (business licenses, zoning, taxes) with Glendive/Dawson County if any apply.