Home · STR Regulations · Red Lodge, MT
Verified Aug 16, 2026 · Primary Sources Cited

Red Lodge, MT Short-Term Rental Regulations

Current permit-cap status, minimum-stay requirements, owner-occupancy rules, and jurisdiction breakdown for short-term rentals in Red Lodge. Every field is cited to a primary source below. Always verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before writing an offer.

Red Lodge, MT regulatory profile

Last material change: August 22, 2023 - City Council adopted Ordinance 963 establishing STR permit program and 20% cap.
Restricted
Summary

Red Lodge caps STRs at 20% of dwelling units citywide under Ordinance 963 (August 2023); new operators need city registration, Carbon County health license, fire inspection, and a $500 compliance bond.

Have a specific property in mind? Analyze it with a $99 report →

Notes for investors

Under Ord. 963, hosts must (1) register with the City for an annual business license, (2) obtain a Public Accommodation License from Carbon County Sanitarian, (3) pass a fire inspection with Red Lodge Fire Department, and (4) post a $500 bond to secure the 4% Resort Tax quarterly remittance. The 20% housing-stock cap is binding - confirm current permit availability before offer, and treat listings above cap as waiting-list only. City also enforces a Good Neighbor Policy.

Permit required
Yes
Permit cap in place
Yes
Ordinance 963 caps STR permits at 20% of the city's housing stock. Waiting list established when the cap is reached; new permits issued only as existing ones expire without renewal.
Minimum stay
No minimum specified
Owner-occupancy required
No
Primary residence only
No
Operator on site required
No

Operating jurisdictions · primary sources

Red Lodge Zoning Regulations
Zoning code chapter enabling STR permits
https://www.cityofredlodge.net/media/12486
Carbon County Sanitarian
Public Accommodation License (health inspection) required for all STRs
https://www.co.carbon.mt.us/
Have a specific Red Lodge property in mind? Run a $99 DepreciMax property report to size the Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction on a specific address — line-item finish classification and calibration to a formal cost seg study.
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Verified as of 2026-08-16DepreciMax targets quarterly re-verification

Frequently asked questions · Red Lodge STR regulations

Are short-term rentals legal in Red Lodge, MT?

Short-term rentals in Red Lodge are classified as restricted as of 2026-08-16. Red Lodge caps STRs at 20% of dwelling units citywide under Ordinance 963 (August 2023); new operators need city registration, Carbon County health license, fire inspection, and a $500 compliance bond.

Is there a short-term rental permit cap in Red Lodge?

Yes. Ordinance 963 caps STR permits at 20% of the city's housing stock. Waiting list established when the cap is reached; new permits issued only as existing ones expire without renewal.

What is the minimum-stay requirement for short-term rentals in Red Lodge?

The primary source does not specify a minimum stay for short-term rentals.

Does Red Lodge require owner-occupancy for short-term rental permits?

Red Lodge does not require owner-occupancy for short-term rental operators as of 2026-08-16. Verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before offering, as owner-occupancy rules interact with zoning overlays.

How can I check if a specific property in Red Lodge qualifies for short-term rental use?

Contact the operating jurisdiction directly using the primary-source links published on this page. Zoning, HOA restrictions, and pending regulatory changes are parcel-specific and can override the citywide profile above. DepreciMax's $99 property report separately sizes the Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction for a specific address, once regulatory clearance is confirmed.

How do I estimate the Year-1 bonus depreciation on a specific Red Lodge property?

Once you've verified the regulatory profile of a listing you're considering, run a $99 DepreciMax property report to size the actual Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction. The report analyzes the listing photos to classify finishes as 5-year personal property, 15-year land improvements, or 39-year structural — producing a line-item estimate closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.

Where do I check other STR markets?

Use the DepreciMax STR Regulations Database for the full top-50 market fleet — every market cited to a primary jurisdiction source, updated quarterly.

Not legal or tax advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently and vary by parcel, zone, and HOA. The information on this page is a summary of publicly available primary sources as of 2026-08-16. Before acting — buying, listing, or operating a short-term rental in Red Lodge — verify current rules with the operating jurisdiction and consult a local attorney and CPA.