Overview: Are STRs allowed?

• Yes, short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Flathead County, including the Somers area. In most residential and agricultural zones, an Administrative Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from Flathead County Planning & Zoning is required. In selected commercial and mixed-use zones, STRs are permitted by right but must meet county performance standards. If your property is located outside any zoned area, no county STR permit is required from Planning & Zoning. Always verify whether your property is within Flathead County’s zoning jurisdiction or within any special overlay (e.g., Canyon Area Land Use Regulations) that may impose additional procedures.

Important notes for investors:

• There are two overlapping regulatory frameworks in Flathead County: the Flathead County Zoning Regulations (FCZR) and the Canyon Area Land Use Regulations (CALURS). Zoning rules vary by district. If your property lies within the CALURS area, the review path and timelines can differ from the FCZR path.
• This guide consolidates county-level requirements that govern STRs in and around Somers. If a municipal (town) STR-specific permit exists in Somers, it was not identified in the provided sources; investors should contact the Somers Town Clerk/Planning (if any) to confirm whether city-level requirements apply.

How to start an STR business in this market

1. Confirm zoning eligibility and permit path

• Determine your parcel’s zone under FCZR and whether you are within CALURS boundaries.
• Identify whether STRs are:
  • A permitted use (no CUP) in your zone and still subject to performance standards (Section 5.11 FCZR), or
  • A conditional use requiring an Administrative Conditional Use Permit (e.g., AG, SAG, R, RA, RC; B-3, B-5, B-6; AL, LBL, LL, LS, RL, WV), or
  • Not allowed in your zone.
• If inside CALURS: Upper Canyon treats STRs as an exempt use; Middle Canyon requires a Minor Land Use Review.

2. Decide application path

• Administrative Conditional Use Permit (FCZR) for many residential/ag zones.
• Zoning application (FCZR) if your zone lists STR as a permitted use but performance standards still apply.
• CALURS Short-term Rental application if within the CALURS area and the use is exempt/minor.

3. Compile and submit your application

• Use the correct application form and submit to Flathead County Planning & Zoning.
• Staff will conduct agency referrals and notify all property owners within 150 feet of your parcel (for FCZR CUP).
• Comment period runs approximately two weeks. If concerns arise, staff will pause the review and allow time for responses; unresolved issues may be forwarded to the Board of Adjustment.
• Typical timelines:
  • CALURS Minor Land Use Review: up to 30 calendar days from application completeness.
  • Administrative CUP (FCZR): typically up to 1.5 months from application completeness.

4. Operational compliance

• Regardless of zoning district, comply with the Flathead County performance standards for STRs (Section 5.11 FCZR).
• If you are subject to business licensing, sales tax, or lodging tax obligations at the state and/or county level, register and collect remittances accordingly. (Note: The provided sources do not list the specific business license or lodging tax requirements for Flathead County/Somers. Treat state-level tax compliance as standard for lodging businesses and consult the Montana Department of Revenue and Flathead County for current obligations.)

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Administrative Conditional Use Permit (FCZR) if your zone requires one.
• Zoning application (FCZR) if STR is a permitted use but performance standards still apply.
• CALURS Short-term Rental application (if inside CALURS and review is required).
• Plan sets and supporting materials per the application forms.
• Evidence of compliance with performance standards (Section 5.11 FCZR) for permitted districts.
• Contact information and forms:
  • Planner on duty (walk-in triage): 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Mon–Fri. For consultations expected to exceed 15 minutes, complete the General Consultation form; a planner will contact you to schedule.
  • Office lobby: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mon–Fri; closed on federal holidays.
• Application forms, performance standards, and brochures are available through Flathead County Planning & Zoning (links provided at the end of this guide).
• Additional approvals may be needed depending on your property (e.g., building, health, wastewater). Engage your consultant/agent early to identify any parallel permitting.

Specific regulations: city, county, and state

• City-level (Somers): No STR-specific ordinance or permit was identified in the provided Somers Zoning Regulations document. If Somers has separate STR licensing or zoning controls, they were not included in the provided materials. Verify with Somers Town Clerk/Planning if any town-level rules apply.
• County-level (Flathead County):
  • Definition: STR is a residential use in a dwelling unit for stays less than 30 days. The county uses terms such as “vacation rental,” “tourist accommodation units,” and “resort dwelling units.”
  • Zoning Districts and Permit Paths (FCZR):
    • Administrative CUP required for STRs in AG, SAG, R, RA, RC; B-3, B-5, B-6; AL, LBL, LL, LS, RL, WV.
    • Permitted uses (with performance standards) in RR, B-2, B-4, BM-1, BM-2, BR-2, BR-4, CVR, SC, NF.
    • Not allowed in other zones.
  • CALURS (Canyon Area Land Use Regulations):
    • Upper Canyon: STR treated as an exempt use.
    • Middle Canyon: STR reviewed as a minor land use (up to 30 days).
  • Review Process (FCZR Administrative CUP):
    • Agency referrals and neighbor notifications (150 feet).
    • ~2-week comment period.
    • Staff decision typically within 10 working days after comment period; if concerns remain unresolved, the file can go to the Board of Adjustment.
  • Performance Standards: STRs must comply with Section 5.11 FCZR regardless of district. Review the standards document before design/layout and operations planning.
• State-level (Montana): The provided materials do not list state-specific STR statutes. Ensure you register your lodging business and comply with Montana’s lodging facility use tax and any local option lodging taxes. Consult the Montana Department of Revenue for current requirements.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

• Flathead County Planning & Zoning
  • Address: 40 11th Street West, Suite 220, Kalispell, MT 59901
  • Phone: +1 (406) 751-8200
  • Email: Email link available on the county website (see “Email Us” on the Planning & Zoning page)
  • Hours:
    • Office lobby: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Mon–Fri (closed federal holidays)
    • Planner on duty: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Mon–Fri
  • Planner consultation: If your inquiry will exceed 15 minutes, complete the General Consultation form; a planner will reach out to schedule a meeting at a mutually convenient time.

Links to source pages and downloadable documents

• Flathead County Planning & Zoning – Short-Term Rentals
  • flatheadcounty.gov/department-directory/planning-zoning/short-term-rentals
• Flathead County Zoning Regulations (performance standards reference)
  • Zoning Performance Standards
  • flatheadcounty.gov/download_file/view/9434b14f-c8d2-4ab5-aa44-948dc1c5f44c/763
• Canyon Area Land Use Regulations (CALURS)
  • CALURS Performance Standards
  • flatheadcounty.gov/download_file/view/a7c02a24-be0e-4071-b51b-03592d50ba19/763
• Applications
  • CALURS Short-term Rental Application
  • flatheadcounty.gov/download_file/572c7a8c-5581-497f-be55-7835d5078587/9
  • Zoning Short-term Rental Application (FCZR)
  • flatheadcounty.gov/download_file/102c71c1-cb14-4075-9c2f-d7cb233c921f/9
• Short-term Rental Brochure
  • flatheadcounty.gov/download_file/5b81079d-805e-46dc-9c59-1abbf0dfae04/9
• Somers Zoning Regulations (document link provided)
  • www.egovlink.com/public_documents300/somers/published_documents/Regulations%20and%20Ordinances/Zoning%20Regulations/Zoning%20Regulations.pdf

Practical checklist for investors

• Confirm county zoning district and whether CALURS applies.
• Select the correct application path (Administrative CUP vs. permitted use compliance vs. CALURS minor review).
• Prepare complete application materials and compliance plan aligned with Section 5.11 FCZR.
• Submit application and plan for neighbor/agency review timeline.
• Track the comment period; be ready to respond to staff questions and neighbor concerns.
• If CUP is required, anticipate potential Board of Adjustment review.
• Post-approval, obtain any required building, health, or other local permits; finalize insurance and property management setup.
• Register for state/local lodging taxes and business licenses as applicable; implement tax collection and remittance procedures.

This guide relies exclusively on the provided sources and focuses on Flathead County’s STR framework, which governs STRs in the Somers area unless Somers has additional municipal requirements not identified in the documents above. Investors should verify parcel-specific zoning and any state tax and local license obligations before acquisition or conversion.