FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
No, short-term rentals are approved for the current host of the property. If the property is sold or otherwise transferred, the approval terminates and a new application is required.
To prepare for this inspection, please visit the Red Lodge Fire Department's website to complete the Fire Safety Checklist found here.
Schedule a Short Term Rental Fire inspection by completing the STR Inspection Request Form found here. After the form has been completed, the Red Lodge Fire Department will follow-up via email to schedule your inspection. Once the inspection is completed and payment is received by the Fire Department, you will receive an inspection report via email. This inspection is good for one calendar year from the date of inspection.
Apply for the required State of Montana Public Accommodations License by completing the Montana DPHHS Public Sleeping Accommodation Plan Review Form found here. Once the form has been completed, it should be submitted to County Sanitarian, Jesse Gutierrez at jgutierrez [at] co.carbon.mt.us (jgutierrez[at]co[dot]carbon[dot]mt[dot]us), or be dropped off at 17 W 11th St (PO Box 466), Red Lodge. Once the plan has been reviewed by Gutierrez (typically within 3 business days), he will email the applicant to schedule an inspection. At the inspection, he will collect the required fees ($150 check made to Carbon County Treasurer for the Plan Review and Inspection and a separate check of $40 to Montana DPPHS for the License). This license is good for one calendar year and expires on December 31 each year.
For annual renewals, property owners should coordinate directly with Montana DPHHS as the County has no involvement with renewals. Montana DPHHS licenses operate on a calendar year (Jan-Dec) with renewal notices sent only by email in October. If a property owner misplaces their Montana DPHHS license, they can email Lori Kane for a duplicate at lkane [at] co.carbon.mt.us (lkane[at]co[dot]carbon[dot]mt[dot]us).
Resort Tax is to be paid quarterly. To avoid penalty, payments should be submitted to the City on or before the TWENTIETH (20th) day of the month following the end of the quarter.
Submissions MUST be made online using your Deckard Customer STR Portal.
Due Dates:
Quarter 1 (January, February, March): Due April 20th
Quarter 2 (April, May, June): Due July 20th
Quarter 3 (July, August, September): Due October 20th
Quarter 4 (October, November, December): Due January 20th
*Please note that your hosting platform (example: VRBO/Airbnb) WILL NOT automatically collect and/or remit resort tax to the City. It is your responsibility to ensure that the hosting platform is set up to collect the 4% resort tax. The hosting platform will then collect and pay the tax out to you. You will then need to report and remit the tax using your online STR Portal.
A short term rental is defined as the rental of a residential unit for less than 30 consecutive days.
Short term rentals are currently allowed in any of the zoning districts of the City. In order to operate a short term rental, the owner is required to register with the City and obtain the appropriate permits from the City, County, and State.
Short-term rental registrations are for a term of one year. At the end of that year, the registration must be renewed. Certificates not renewed by September 1st will automatically be terminated requiring an application for a new certificate, should one be available.
If you sell or otherwise transfer the property to another the registrant, the certificate terminates and a new application must be submitted.
The City may also revoke a registration certificate at anytime if the regulations are not followed.
5 items are required prior to completing your application in the STR portal
- Proof of application with Carbon County Health Department for a Public Accommodations License. This could be a copy of the application along with a payment receipt, or a copy of the inspection signed by a County official.
- Final Fire Inspection certificate with no violations found
- Proof of Ownership
- Proof of Resort Tax Payment
- STR Lodging tax registration with the MT Department of Revenue if applicable
The City of Red Lodge's registration process does not address all requirements applicable to the operation of a short term rental. If you have tax, insurance, health code, or legal questions please consult with a professional. The City of Red Lodge cannot not advise on issues related to short term rentals other than that of its own regulations.
Ensuring that your registration number is provided in your online posting improves compliance with short-term rentals. If you are hosting a long term rental (31 or more days), the hosting platform will reclassify your rental so that it cannot be reserved as a short term rental.