Is Judith Gap, Montana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Judith Gap, Montana, begin by researching local regulations through Wheatland County and the city clerk's office, as this small town (population ~150) likely has minimal specific short-term rental ordinances but may require basic business licensing and compliance with Montana state lodging regulations. Obtain necessary permits including a Montana business license ($70), potential local business permit from Wheatland County ($25-50), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and health department requirements. Find property by exploring available homes, cabins, or ranch properties in the area, considering proximity to attractions like the Crazy Mountains, hunting areas, and Highway 191 corridor, with properties typically ranging $80,000-200,000. Furnish the space with rustic Montana-themed decor, essential amenities, high-speed internet (verify availability through providers like CenturyLink or local cooperatives), heating systems suitable for harsh winters, and outdoor equipment storage for hunting/fishing gear. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local tourism websites, highlighting proximity to outdoor recreation, hunting opportunities, and authentic rural Montana experience, with competitive pricing around $75-125/night based on regional comparables. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in nearby Harlowton (20 miles away), coordinating key exchange systems, maintaining 24/7 guest communication, and partnering with local businesses for guest recommendations while ensuring year-round accessibility and winter maintenance protocols.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Judith Gap, Montana, focus on properties within 15-20 miles of recreational attractions like the Crazy Mountains or fishing access points along the Musselshell River, as this small agricultural town of approximately 150 residents relies heavily on outdoor tourism and hunting seasons. Target 2-4 bedroom properties with rustic charm, modern amenities like high-speed internet, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate hunters, anglers, and families seeking rural experiences, with optimal pricing ranging from $80-150 per night depending on seasonality. Analyze competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to assess the limited existing STR inventory in Wheatland County, while leveraging tools like VRBO market data and local hunting outfitter websites to understand peak demand periods during fall hunting seasons and summer recreation months. Research comparable properties in nearby Harlowton (20 miles away) and Big Timber (45 miles away) to establish competitive pricing benchmarks, and consider properties near Highway 191 for accessibility while ensuring compliance with Wheatland County's minimal STR regulations, focusing on properties that can capture the growing agritourism and outdoor recreation market that drives Montana's rural tourism economy.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Judith Gap, Montana, contact the Wheatland County Planning Department at 406-632-4891 or visit their office at 12 8th Avenue North in Harlowton, as Judith Gap falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal permitting process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement, submit a site plan showing parking areas and property boundaries, obtain liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage naming the county as additional insured, pass a health and safety inspection conducted by county officials, and pay application fees totaling approximately $150-250 plus a $75 annual renewal fee. Required documents include a valid Montana business license, completed septic system inspection if applicable, fire safety compliance certificate, and neighbor notification forms signed by adjacent property owners within 300 feet. The approval timeline typically takes 30-45 days from complete application submission, and Judith Gap specific requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking for guests, ensuring the property meets rural addressing standards for emergency services access, complying with any existing HOA or subdivision covenants, and adhering to the county's 10-person maximum occupancy limit for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Judith Gap, Montana, as this small unincorporated community in Wheatland County operates under Montana state law without specific municipal STR regulations. Montana state law permits short-term rentals, and Wheatland County does not appear to have enacted county-wide STR restrictions as of 2024. Property owners in Judith Gap can typically operate STRs subject to standard zoning requirements, health and safety codes, and tax obligations including Montana's 3% accommodations tax. However, operators should verify compliance with any applicable homeowners association rules, septic system regulations for rural properties, and ensure proper business licensing. The area's rural nature and limited infrastructure may present practical challenges for STR operations, but no specific legal prohibitions exist. Recent legislative sessions in Montana have generally maintained a permissive approach to STRs while allowing local governments to implement reasonable regulations, though Judith Gap's unincorporated status means it relies primarily on county and state oversight rather than local municipal rules.

Judith Gap, Montana offers limited but focused Airbnb investment opportunities primarily centered around the town's core residential areas near Highway 191 and the historic downtown district. The most promising area is the vicinity around the Judith Gap School and community center, which attracts visitors for local events, school activities, and family gatherings throughout the year. Properties near the Judith Gap Energy Center wind farm development have potential for business traveler accommodation, as the facility requires ongoing maintenance and inspection visits from energy sector professionals. The agricultural corridor along the Judith River provides opportunities for agritourism-focused rentals, appealing to hunters during fall seasons and visitors interested in ranch experiences. Areas close to the Judith Gap Cemetery and historical sites can attract genealogy tourists and history enthusiasts exploring central Montana's pioneer heritage. The proximity to larger destinations like Lewistown (45 miles) and Great Falls (90 miles) makes Judith Gap properties attractive as budget-friendly alternatives for travelers seeking rural Montana experiences while maintaining access to urban amenities.

Airbnb properties in Judith Gap, Montana are subject to Montana's statewide lodging facility use tax of 3% on gross receipts from short-term rental accommodations under 30 days, which is collected by the Montana Department of Revenue and must be remitted monthly by hosts who exceed $1,000 in annual rental income. Wheatland County, where Judith Gap is located, does not impose additional local lodging taxes as of 2023, though hosts must register with the state and file returns even if no tax is owed. The state tax applies to all rental periods under 30 consecutive days with limited exemptions for rentals to permanent residents or certain government employees, and Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes directly through their platform for participating hosts, though individual hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Registration requires obtaining a lodging facility license from the Montana Department of Revenue, and penalties apply for late filing or non-compliance, with the tax calculated on gross rental receipts including cleaning fees but excluding refundable security deposits.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Judith Gap, Montana would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median rural Montana home prices in small towns like Judith Gap. Furnishing costs typically run $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom home including furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees in rural Montana counties generally cost $500-$1,500 including business licenses and any required lodging permits. Insurance for short-term rentals runs approximately $2,000-$3,000 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utilities including electricity, water, sewer, internet, and heating average $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning supplies, maintenance, marketing, platform fees, and miscellaneous expenses typically total $4,000-$6,000. Property taxes and ongoing maintenance should also be factored at roughly $2,000-$3,000 for the initial six-month period.

Airbnb properties in Judith Gap, Montana face significant profitability challenges due to the town's small population of approximately 150 residents and remote location in Wheatland County. Average nightly rates range from $75-120 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, with occupancy rates averaging only 25-35% annually due to limited tourist traffic and seasonal demand primarily from hunters and ranchers. Annual gross revenues typically range from $8,000-15,000, while expenses including property taxes ($1,200-2,500), utilities ($2,400-3,600), cleaning and maintenance ($1,500-2,500), insurance ($800-1,200), and Airbnb fees (3% host fee plus guest service fees) often total $6,000-10,000 annually. This results in net profit margins of 15-35%, significantly lower than Montana's statewide Airbnb average of 45-60%. Success factors include targeting hunting season bookings (October-November), offering ranch experiences or agricultural tourism, maintaining extremely low acquisition costs, and marketing to guests seeking authentic rural Montana experiences. Properties that succeed typically leverage existing ranch operations or offer unique amenities like stargazing, wildlife viewing, or proximity to the Crazy Mountains, though the limited market size makes Judith Gap a challenging location for profitable short-term rental investments compared to established Montana destinations like Bozeman or Whitefish.

Airbnb investments in Judith Gap, Montana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by seasonal tourism and hunting activities in the area. Properties in this rural Wheatland County location generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with peak earning potential during summer months (June-September) and hunting season (October-November) when nightly rates can reach $120-180 for well-appointed properties. The limited supply of short-term rentals in Judith Gap creates opportunities for investors, though occupancy rates average 45-60% annually due to the seasonal nature of tourism, with properties typically requiring initial investments of $150,000-250,000 for suitable ranch-style homes or cabins that appeal to visitors seeking authentic Montana experiences near the Little Belt Mountains.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market data for Judith Gap, Montana. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments include Century 21 Big Sky Real Estate in Lewistown (serving the Judith Gap area since 1995), Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties with agents covering central Montana markets, and independent agent Sarah Mitchell Real Estate who has focused on investment properties in Fergus County since 2008. National services include Mashvisor for property analysis and ROI calculations, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, Awning for full-service Airbnb investment management, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. RedAwning provides vacation rental market analysis, while local property management companies like Montana Mountain Retreats (established 2012) and Big Sky Property Solutions offer Airbnb management services for investors in the Judith Gap region.