Is Great Falls, Montana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Great Falls, Montana, begin by researching local regulations through the Great Falls Planning and Community Development Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that typically allow STRs in residential areas with certain restrictions. Contact Cascade County for any additional county-level requirements and ensure compliance with Montana state tax obligations including the 3% state lodging tax. Find a suitable property in desirable neighborhoods like the Historic District, Gibson Flats, or near the Missouri River, considering proximity to attractions like Giant Springs State Park and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Purchase property or secure a rental agreement that permits short-term rentals, then obtain necessary permits including a Great Falls business license (approximately $50-100 annually), fire safety inspection if required, and register for Montana Department of Revenue for tax collection. Furnish the property with quality basics including comfortable bedding, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks, ensuring all safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers meet code. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting Great Falls attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities, pricing competitively with local hotels ($75-150/night depending on property size and season). Manage bookings through property management software, establish cleaning protocols between guests, maintain responsive communication, and consider hiring local cleaning services or property managers like Great Falls-based vacation rental management companies to handle day-to-day operations while ensuring compliance with the city's noise ordinances and parking requirements.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Great Falls, Montana, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Malmstrom Air Force Base for consistent military visitor demand, near the Missouri River for recreational appeal, and in historic downtown areas close to attractions like the C.M. Russell Museum and Giant Springs State Park. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 4-8 guests at $80-150 per night based on seasonal demand patterns. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to assess occupancy rates averaging 60-75% annually, with peak seasons during summer months and hunting season. Research competition by monitoring existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, noting that Great Falls has moderate STR saturation compared to gateway cities like Bozeman or Missoula. Utilize local resources including the Great Falls Development Authority for market insights, Cascade County planning department for zoning regulations, and Montana Regional MLS data through local realtors like Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices or Century 21 Big Sky Real Estate to identify undervalued properties near outdoor recreation areas, the Great Falls International Airport, and medical facilities like Benefis Health System that generate consistent visitor traffic.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Great Falls, Montana, you must first contact the Great Falls Planning and Community Development Department at City Hall located at 2 Park Drive South to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city implemented STR regulations around 2019-2020. Submit a completed short-term rental application along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, site plan showing parking areas, floor plan of the rental unit, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a good neighbor agreement outlining house rules. Pay the application fee of approximately $150-250 plus an annual licensing fee of around $100-200, though fees may vary based on property size and location. The review process typically takes 4-6 weeks and includes a zoning compliance check, safety inspection, and neighbor notification period. Great Falls specific requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking (usually 1-2 spaces per unit), limiting occupancy based on bedroom count and square footage, posting the permit number in all advertisements, maintaining a 24-hour contact person, and ensuring compliance with fire safety codes including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Once approved, you'll receive your permit which must be renewed annually, and you'll need to collect and remit local lodging taxes of approximately 3-4% to the city finance department.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Great Falls, Montana, but operate under specific city regulations implemented around 2019-2020. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that generally allow STRs in residential areas with certain limitations on density and concentration. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, while operators must provide local contact information for guests and neighbors. Great Falls prohibits STRs in some historic districts and has implemented parking requirements and occupancy limits based on property size. Recent changes include stricter enforcement of noise ordinances and requirements for annual license renewals, with the city conducting periodic reviews of STR impacts on housing availability and neighborhood character, though no major prohibitions have been enacted as of recent years.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Great Falls, Montana include the Historic Downtown District near the Missouri River, which attracts tourists visiting the Great Falls of the Missouri and C.M. Russell Museum, plus business travelers to nearby corporate offices and government facilities. The Riverside and Black Eagle neighborhoods offer scenic river views and proximity to outdoor recreation areas like Giant Springs State Park and the River's Edge Trail, appealing to nature enthusiasts and families. The area near Malmstrom Air Force Base provides consistent demand from military personnel, contractors, and visiting families, offering stable year-round occupancy. The Gibson Flats and Broadwater Bay areas attract visitors to outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and hunting, particularly during peak seasons from May through October. Properties near the Great Falls International Airport capture transit passengers and business travelers, while the historic Northside neighborhood appeals to cultural tourists interested in the city's frontier heritage and proximity to attractions like the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center.

In Great Falls, Montana, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Montana state accommodations tax is 3% on gross receipts from lodging rentals, which applies to all short-term rentals including Airbnbs. Additionally, Great Falls imposes a local lodging facility use tax of 3%, bringing the total tax rate to approximately 6%. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking, with Airbnb automatically collecting and remitting the state portion directly to the Montana Department of Revenue as of 2019, while hosts are typically responsible for collecting and remitting the local portion to the City of Great Falls on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on volume. The city requires hosts to register for a business license and obtain a lodging facility permit before operating. Remittance is generally due by the 15th of the month following collection, with payments made online or by mail to the city's finance department. Exemptions may apply for stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and for certain government or charitable organization bookings, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local authorities.

To start an Airbnb in Great Falls, Montana, expect total costs around $275,000-$325,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $220,000-$250,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic marketing materials run $1,500-$3,000. Permits and fees vary but budget $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and any required inspections depending on Great Falls municipal requirements. Insurance costs approximately $2,000-$3,500 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total around $1,000-$2,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($800-$1,200 monthly), cleaning services ($100-$150 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($200-$400 monthly), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Great Falls, Montana typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire homes and $8,000-$18,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $65-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-$1,500 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-$4,000 yearly). Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with higher margins achieved by hosts who self-manage and maintain high occupancy rates of 60-75%. Success factors in Great Falls include proximity to Malmstrom Air Force Base which drives consistent military visitor demand, competitive pricing below hotel rates at the Heritage Inn and Hampton Inn, professional photography, responsive communication, and targeting the outdoor recreation market visiting Giant Springs State Park and the Missouri River. Properties near downtown or the base command premium rates, while those offering amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, or pet-friendly policies achieve 10-20% higher revenues, with the most successful hosts reporting annual returns of 8-12% on their property investment after accounting for mortgage payments and all operating expenses.

Airbnb investments in Great Falls, Montana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties near Malmstrom Air Force Base and downtown areas command higher occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with average daily rates between $85-120 depending on property size and amenities. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, considering Great Falls' steady tourism from outdoor recreation activities around the Missouri River and proximity to Glacier National Park. Investment properties in the $150,000-250,000 range with 20-25% down payments show the strongest performance metrics, particularly 2-3 bedroom homes that can accommodate military families and outdoor enthusiasts visiting the area year-round.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment opportunities in Great Falls, Montana and other markets. Local real estate agents in Great Falls who focus on investment properties include Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties agents like Sarah Johnson and Mike Peterson, as well as Century 21 Big Sky Real Estate's investment specialists. Keller Williams Yellowstone Properties has agents experienced in Airbnb investment analysis in the Great Falls area. National services include Mashvisor, which provides rental property analytics for Montana markets, AirDNA for short-term rental data analysis, and Roofstock for turnkey rental property investments. BiggerPockets connects investors with Great Falls-area professionals, while LoopNet lists commercial and investment properties. Local property management companies like Great Falls Property Management and Cascade Property Services can assist with Airbnb operations. RedAwning and Awning.com provide market analysis tools for short-term rental investments in Montana. Real estate investment firms such as HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses occasionally have properties suitable for Airbnb conversion in the Great Falls market, and local mortgage brokers like First Interstate Bank and Stockman Bank offer investment property financing options for short-term rental purchases.