Overview and Allowability

Short-term rentals are allowed in Stevensville, Montana. Stevensville has not adopted city-specific short-term rental ordinances or licensing rules. As a result, the operation of an STR in Stevensville is governed primarily by Montana state statutes and regulations and by county-level health and building requirements. If you are outside the City of Stevensville but within Ravalli County, county health and sanitation rules apply instead of city building inspectors.

In practical terms, operating a compliant STR in Stevensville hinges on: obtaining a Public Accommodation License from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS); passing county/state inspections; meeting health and safety standards; registering for and remitting state lodging taxes; and ensuring zoning and building code compliance.

• State law requires a Public Accommodation License (PAL) for lodging businesses, including short-term rentals, with annual renewal and inspections to maintain standards.
• Airbnb and other platforms collect and remit Montana’s 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax and 4% Lodging Sales Tax on stays of 29 days or fewer.
• Ravalli County Environmental Health (RCEH) administers plan review and inspections for licensing and coordinates with building/fire authorities.

Source links are provided at the end of this guide.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Stevensville, MT

Treat your STR project as a regulated hospitality business. The pathway is straightforward but involves plan review, inspections, licensing, and tax registration. Use the following step-by-step approach:

1. Plan, Budget, and Confirm Zoning

• Confirm the property’s zoning allows transient lodging or short-term rental uses. Even in the absence of city STR rules, zoning and land use standards still govern the activity.
• For new construction or major remodel, obtain building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits through the applicable jurisdiction (City of Stevensville Building Inspector or Montana State Building Authority).

2. Facility Design and Health Standards

• Design to the state’s Public Accommodation standards (potable water, wastewater disposal, hygienic amenities, cleaning and maintenance). If your STR includes pools/spas or any food service, meet those additional requirements.
• Prepare a detailed plan set for RCEH review including water/wastewater systems, solid waste arrangements, guest room configurations, laundry flow, and any food/ice service.

3. Submit Plan Review to Ravalli County Environmental Health

• Send the plan review package and $100 Plan Review fee to RCEH. Use the official Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review checklist. This process can take 20–30 days.
• If you’ll be building or remodeling, also secure building permits and coordinate inspections with the City/State inspectors. Provide copies to RCEH prior to final health inspection.

4. Final Health and Fire Inspections

• After construction is complete and inspections by building officials are passed, RCEH will conduct a pre-opening health inspection.
• Prepare for fire/life safety inspection as required by state/county authorities.

5. Obtain the Public Accommodation License (PAL)

• Submit PAL fees to the local sanitarian (RCEH) for forwarding to DPHHS:
  • 1–10 rooms: $40
  • 11–25 rooms: $80
  • 26+ rooms: $160
• Once approved, display the license prominently. Licenses are non-transferable (transfer requires a new application).

6. State Tax Registration and Remittance

• Register with the Montana Department of Revenue for lodging tax accounts. Montana levies two 4% lodging taxes on STRs for stays of 29 days or fewer:
  • Lodging Facility Use Tax (4%)
  • Lodging Sales Tax (4%)
• While Airbnb typically collects and remits both taxes on behalf of hosts, confirm your platform’s practice and ensure you are set up correctly. Apply these taxes to the gross listing price including cleaning and guest fees.

7. Finalize Operations and Recordkeeping

• Maintain a guest register (name and contact information) for at least one year.
• Establish cleaning and maintenance standards, pest control, and solid waste services that meet health code expectations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Public Accommodation License (Montana DPHHS)
  • License fees: $40 (1–10 rooms), $80 (11–25 rooms), $160 (26+ rooms).
  • Must be renewed annually; inspection required.
• Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review (Ravalli County Environmental Health)
  • $100 Plan Review fee; detailed plans and facility information required.
• Building Permits and Inspections (City of Stevensville or Montana State Building Authority)
  • As applicable for new construction, remodel, or conversions to lodging use.
• Fire/Life Safety Inspection (State Fire Marshal or local authority, as applicable)
• State Tax Registration (Montana Department of Revenue)
  • Lodging taxes: 4% + 4% on stays of 29 days or fewer.
• Guest Register
  • Maintain for at least one year (names, contacts, unit assignment).
• Zoning Compliance
  • Confirm permissible use in zoning district; consider subdivision regulations where applicable.

Additional items based on facilities offered:

• Pools/Spas
  • Separate licensing/inspection may be required for public swimming features.
• Food Service
  • Limited food service to overnight guests may be covered under public accommodation rules; separate retail food licensing applies if serving the general public.

Specific Regulations: City (Stevensville), County (Ravalli), and State (Montana)

• City of Stevensville

  • No city-specific short-term rental ordinances or separate city STR licensing requirements identified in the provided documents.
  • City building inspectors have jurisdiction for city projects; outside city limits, the state has jurisdiction.
  • City subdivision regulations apply to land divisions; they do not impose STR-specific limits.

• Ravalli County (Environmental Health)

  • Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review required before constructing or converting any building to lodging use; 20–30 days lead time.
  • Pre-opening health inspection required.
  • License fees paid through local sanitarian to DPHHS.
  • Coordination with building/fire inspectors required.

• State of Montana (DPHHS and Revenue)

  • Public Accommodation License is mandatory for lodging operations, with inspection and annual renewal.
  • Health standards govern water, wastewater, sanitation, cleaning, laundry, amenities, and guest services.
  • Two lodging taxes at 4% each (Lodging Facility Use Tax and Lodging Sales Tax) for stays 29 days or fewer.
  • Guest register requirement (minimum one-year retention).

Practical takeaways:

• STRs are permitted but regulated at the state level via licensing and at the county level via plan review and inspections.
• City STR rules are absent; zoning and building codes still apply.
• Lodging taxes are collected at the state level (commonly by platforms) but hosts must ensure proper registration and compliance.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STR Licensing and Inspections)

• Ravalli County Environmental Health (Licensing and Plan Review)

  • Address: 215 South 4th Street – Suite D, Hamilton, MT 59840
  • Phone: (406) 375-6565
  • Fax: (406) 375-6566
  • Notes: Submit Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review here; pre-opening inspections conducted here; PAL fees paid here.

• City of Stevensville Building Inspector

  • Contact: Tim Nestle
  • Phone: (406) 381-9673
  • Notes: City building permits and inspections for work inside city limits.

• Montana State Building Authority (Outside City Limits)

  • Contact: Steve Clark
  • Phone: (406) 841-2053
  • Notes: State building codes and inspections for properties outside incorporated cities.

• Montana State Fire Marshal’s Office

  • Contact: Dawn Drollinger, Deputy State Fire Marshal
  • Phone: (406) 257-2584
  • Notes: Fire/life safety inspections for public accommodations.

Links to Source Pages

• Montana DPHHS Public Accommodation License Application (PDF)
  • dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/FCS/SanitarianResourcePage/FCSForms/PublicAccommodations/PALicenseAppPage1.pdf
• Montana DPHHS Public Accommodation Rules (ARM Title 37, Chapter 111, Subchapter 1) (PDF)
  • dphhs.mt.gov/assets/publichealth/FCS/PublicAccomodations/PAWEBRULE.pdf
• Ravalli County Environmental Health: Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review (PDF)
  • ravalli.us/DocumentCenter/View/4944/PubAccom-VacHome-Plan-Review-2020
• Town of Stevensville Subdivision Regulations (PDF)
  • www.townofstevensville.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/1141/town_of_stevensville_subdivision_regulations_02092023.pdf
• Municode: Stevensville Code of Ordinances
  • library.municode.com/mt/stevensville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH10DECO_ARTIIIGEDERE_SS10-189--10-212RE
• Hostaway Blog: Airbnb Rules in Montana
  • www.hostaway.com/blog/airbnb-rules-in-montana/
• Checkmate Rentals: Stevensville STR Market Overview
  • www.checkmaterentals.com/airbnb-management/stevensville-montana

Notes on taxes: Montana’s 4% + 4% lodging taxes apply statewide to short-term rentals for stays of 29 days or fewer. Hosts should confirm any local option lodging taxes with the Montana Department of Revenue or Ravalli County, as localities may impose additional lodging taxes; the provided sources do not document a Ravalli County or Stevensville-specific lodging tax.