Explicit answer: Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Three Forks, Montana, subject to state licensing and health/safety requirements, and any applicable city zoning or conditional use permits. Three Forks does not appear to have city-specific short-term rental restrictions comparable to Bozeman’s; state rules govern, and city zoning determines where lodging can operate. As evidenced in the September 19, 2024 Zoning & Planning Board minutes, lodging uses (cabins) have been approved and amended via a conditional use permit in the city’s agricultural zoning district, with the city attorney clarifying that such cabins do not fall under the “short-term rental requirements of the Residential District.” See Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552

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

Below is a step-by-step guide tailored to Three Forks and Montana. It is written for serious investors who need clear, practical steps and compliance checks.

1. Confirm zoning and land use

• Identify the property’s zoning district (e.g., Agricultural, Residential).
• Confirm whether short-term lodging is a permitted, conditional, or prohibited use in that zone.
• If located within one mile of city limits, note the City’s extra-territorial zoning interest (Planning & Zoning guidance) and potential County coordination (see Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552).

2. Secure local land use approvals

• If lodging is a conditional use, apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) with the City of Three Forks. The City has approved and amended CUPs for cabins with conditions (e.g., landscaping along right-of-way, use limitations). See Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552
• For properties within 1,000 feet of municipal sanitation, connection to municipal services may be required under state law. If you are outside city limits, confirm septic/well compliance.

3. Obtain state licensing and pass inspections

• Apply for a Public Accommodation License from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS).
• Undergo health and safety inspections, including potable water and wastewater systems, hygiene amenities, and initial fire inspections (as applicable).
• Maintain a guest register with names and contact information for at least 365 days per stay. See Source: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-montana

4. Handle taxes

• For reservations of 29 days or fewer, Montana requires:
  • Lodging Facility Use Tax: 4%
  • Lodging Sales Tax: 4%
• Platforms like Airbnb typically collect and remit these lodging taxes directly to the Montana Department of Revenue on your behalf. If not using a platform, register with the Department of Revenue and remit taxes yourself. See Source: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-montana

5. Insurance and risk management

• Obtain short-term rental insurance that provides liability and property coverage tailored to transient lodging.
• Note: Insurance requirements may apply under the Public Accommodation License; confirm specifics with DPHHS.

6. Establish operating procedures

• Adopt standard operating procedures for bookings, check-ins, cleaning, waste disposal, snow removal (seasonally), neighbor notification (if required by CUP), and 24/7 guest support.
• Align housekeeping and maintenance with health and safety standards.

7. Compliance records and renewals

• Keep records of licensing, inspections, CUP conditions, guest registers, and tax remittances.
• Renew the Public Accommodation License annually and comply with any local CUP renewal terms.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Use this checklist for a complete compliance package:

• State (Montana DPHHS)

  • Public Accommodation License application and annual renewal
  • Health and safety inspection scheduling/results (initial and ongoing)
  • Guest register (names/contacts retained for 365 days)
  • Proof of potable water and wastewater compliance

• Local (City of Three Forks)

  • Conditional Use Permit (if lodging is conditional in the zoning district)
  • CUP compliance documentation (e.g., landscaping along right-of-way as previously required by the Planning Board; see Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552)
  • Submittals: site plan, property sketch with boundaries and parking, contact information, operational narrative

• Taxes (Montana Department of Revenue)

  • Registration for lodging tax if you are not using a platform that remits on your behalf
  • Records of Lodging Facility Use Tax (4%) and Lodging Sales Tax (4%) for stays ≤29 days

• Operations

  • Short-term rental insurance policy
  • House rules, check-in/out procedures, cleaning protocols
  • Emergency contact and 24/7 guest support plan

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals: City, County, and State

Montana (State-level)

• Public Accommodation License required from DPHHS. Health and safety standards enforced (potable water, wastewater, hygiene, fire inspection as applicable). Guest register maintained for ≥365 days.
• Lodging taxes: 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax and 4% Lodging Sales Tax for stays ≤29 days; platforms generally collect and remit to the Montana Department of Revenue. See Source: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-montana

City of Three Forks

• No city-specific short-term rental ordinance has been identified that parallels Bozeman’s registry/ban/occupancy rules.
• Zoning compliance is the key gating factor; lodging requires permitted or conditional use status.
• The City’s Zoning & Planning Board has approved CUPs for cabins and has required conditions (e.g., landscaping along the right-of-way), with discussion noting that cabins in the Agricultural district do not fall under the Residential District’s short-term rental requirements. See Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552
• The City actively manages extra-territorial zoning coordination within one mile of city limits; depending on location, applications may involve City review and County decision-making. See Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552

County (Gallatin County)

• Three Forks lies within Gallatin County. No Gallatin County-specific short-term rental rules were provided in the source documents.
• If a property is within 1,000 feet of municipal sanitation infrastructure, connection to municipal services may be required per state rules discussed in City meeting minutes. See Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552

County-Level Planning Context (General Montana)

• Flathead County’s short-term rental program (flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/planning-zoning/short-term-rentals) is provided for context only; it is not binding in Gallatin County or Three Forks. See Source: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-montana

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

For licensing and health/safety:

• Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
  • Phone: Not provided in source
  • Email: Not provided in source
  • Website: Contact DPHHS for the Public Accommodation License application and inspection scheduling
  • Use state channels for license inquiries and health/safety compliance. See Source: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-montana

For taxation:

• Montana Department of Revenue
  • Phone: Not provided in source
  • Email: Not provided in source
  • Register for lodging tax and confirm platform remittance practices. See Source: www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-montana

For zoning and CUPs (City of Three Forks):

• City of Three Forks
  • Mailing Address: City Hall, 206 Main Street, Three Forks, MT 59752
  • Phone: Not provided in source
  • Email: Not provided in source
  • Website: www.threeforksmontana.us/
  • Contact the City Planner or Zoning & Planning Board for zoning verification and CUP applications. See Source: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552

Links to Source Pages (Important)

• Montana short-term rental law overview (licenses, taxes, and local variance examples including Bozeman): www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-and-regulations-in-montana
• Three Forks Zoning & Planning Board Minutes (Sept 19, 2024) showing approvals/conditions for cabins and extra-territorial zoning coordination: www.threeforksmontana.us/documents/650/Minutes_9.19.2024_Zoning.pdf?1731020552
• Bozeman’s STR ordinance (Type 1/2/3 framework, platform obligations) for contrast to non-city-specific rules in Three Forks: bozemanrealestate.group/blog/bozemans-new-short-term-rental-ordinance-and-proposed-udc-zoning-changes
• Bozeman City STR page: www.bozeman.net/departments/community-development/planning/short-term-rentals
• Flathead County STR program (contextual, not applicable to Three Forks): flathead.mt.gov/department-directory/planning-zoning/short-term-rentals

Practical Notes for Three Forks Investors

• Start with zoning. Confirm whether your parcel allows lodging by-right or requires a CUP. The Agricultural district has explicitly hosted lodging via CUPs with conditions.
• Parallel path: Apply for the Public Accommodation License and schedule inspections as early as possible; delays are common.
• If you are within 1,000 feet of municipal sanitation, expect connection requirements; confirm capacity and fees with the City.
• Taxes are largely automated through platforms; if you operate off-platform, register and remit lodging taxes to the Department of Revenue.
• Protect the investment: carry STR-specific insurance and maintain meticulous records for inspections, taxes, and CUP compliance.

If you want, I can create a one-page checklist and a zoning pre-screening memo template based on these sources.