Is Vaughn, Montana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Vaughn, Montana, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Chouteau County's planning department, as Vaughn falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal control, and Montana generally allows short-term rentals but requires compliance with state lodging facility regulations and potential business licensing through the Montana Department of Revenue. Obtain necessary permits including a Montana business license, sales tax permit for collecting the 4% state lodging tax, and check if Chouteau County requires additional permits or inspections for short-term rentals. Find a suitable property by searching rural properties, ranches, or homes in the Vaughn area through local real estate agents familiar with Great Falls region properties, considering proximity to attractions like Giant Springs State Park or Malmstrom Air Force Base which could drive demand. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture suitable for Montana's climate, including warm bedding, outdoor gear storage, and amenities that highlight the rural Montana experience such as fire pits or wildlife viewing areas. List your property on Airbnb with high-quality photos showcasing Montana's big sky country, competitive pricing around $75-150 per night based on regional comparables, and descriptions emphasizing outdoor activities, proximity to Great Falls (about 30 miles), and authentic ranch experiences. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols, coordinating with local cleaning services in Great Falls or Fort Benton, implementing keyless entry systems suitable for rural locations, maintaining responsive guest communication, and ensuring compliance with Montana's innkeeper liability laws and insurance requirements through your homeowner's or specialized short-term rental insurance policies.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Vaughn, Montana, focus on properties within 30 miles of Great Falls for airport access and urban amenities, while targeting rural locations that offer authentic Montana experiences like ranch properties, cabins near the Missouri River, or homes with mountain views of the Little Belt Mountains. Seek properties with 2-4 bedrooms, outdoor spaces, fireplaces, and rustic charm that can accommodate hunting and fishing groups, as well as families visiting Malmstrom Air Force Base personnel. Analyze pricing by researching comparable STRs in Great Falls ($80-150/night) and adjusting 10-20% lower for Vaughn's rural location, while factoring in seasonal demand peaks during hunting season (September-November) and summer recreation months. Competition research should focus on the limited existing STR inventory in Cascade County, monitoring listings on Airbnb and VRBO within a 25-mile radius, and identifying gaps in amenities like hot tubs, game processing areas, or pet-friendly options. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources including the Cascade County planning department for zoning regulations, Great Falls tourism board for visitor data, and Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks for hunting/fishing season calendars that drive demand patterns in this agricultural community.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Vaughan, Montana, you must first contact the Chouteau County Planning Department since Vaughan is an unincorporated community in Chouteau County, typically requiring a conditional use permit application which can be submitted at the county courthouse in Fort Benton or mailed to PO Box 459, Fort Benton, MT 59442. Required documents include a completed conditional use permit application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing the rental property layout, septic system compliance certificate, well water testing results if applicable, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), emergency contact information, and parking plan documentation. The application fee is estimated at $200-400 for the conditional use permit plus $50-100 for administrative processing, with additional fees possible for inspections or hearings. The timeline typically spans 60-90 days including a 30-day public notice period, planning commission review, and potential public hearing, with final approval by the county commissioners. Specific Vaughan area requirements include compliance with rural zoning setbacks (typically 25-50 feet from property lines), adequate septic capacity for increased occupancy, approved water source meeting state standards, off-street parking for guests, 24-hour local contact person within 50 miles, occupancy limits based on septic system capacity, and adherence to Montana's vacation rental tax collection requirements through the Department of Revenue.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Vaughn, Montana are generally legal under state law, as Montana does not prohibit STRs at the state level and allows local municipalities to regulate them. However, Vaughn is an unincorporated community in Cascade County, so it falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal regulations. Cascade County has not implemented comprehensive STR restrictions as of 2023, meaning STRs can typically operate with standard business licensing requirements and compliance with health and safety codes. Property owners must still comply with state tax requirements, including collecting and remitting lodging taxes to the Montana Department of Revenue. The main restrictions would come from any homeowners association rules, deed restrictions, or if the property is in a residential zone that specifically prohibits commercial activities, though enforcement in rural unincorporated areas like Vaughn tends to be limited. Recent trends in Montana show increasing local regulation of STRs in tourist-heavy areas, but smaller rural communities like Vaughn have seen minimal regulatory changes, with most oversight remaining at the county level focusing on basic safety and tax compliance rather than operational restrictions.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Vaughn, Montana are concentrated around the agricultural and transportation corridors, particularly properties near Highway 89 which connects to Great Falls (30 miles south) and serves as a key route for business travelers and agricultural workers. The area around the Vaughn grain elevators and railroad junction attracts seasonal agricultural workers during harvest periods from July through October, creating consistent demand. Properties within 5-10 miles of Malmstrom Air Force Base benefit from military personnel and contractor overflow, especially during training exercises and personnel rotations. The rural ranch properties on the outskirts offer appeal to hunting and fishing enthusiasts accessing the nearby Missouri River and surrounding prairie lands for waterfowl hunting from September through December. Additionally, the corridor between Vaughn and Belt provides opportunities for travelers seeking authentic Montana ranch experiences and those visiting the Sluice Boxes State Park area, with peak demand during summer months when outdoor recreation activities are at their highest.

Airbnb properties in Vaughn, Montana are subject to Montana's statewide lodging facility use tax of 3% on gross receipts from accommodations, which applies to all short-term rentals under 30 days and is collected by the host and remitted quarterly to the Montana Department of Revenue by the 15th of the month following each quarter. Additionally, hosts must collect Montana's 4% state sales tax on lodging services, bringing the total state tax burden to 7%. Cascade County, where Vaughn is located, imposes an additional 3% local option tax on lodging facilities, making the combined tax rate approximately 10% on gross rental receipts. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking or check-in and must be remitted to the appropriate state and local tax authorities, with the Montana Department of Revenue handling state portions and Cascade County handling local portions. Exemptions generally apply only to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and certain government or non-profit organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Vaughn, Montana, expect total costs around $285,000-$320,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $250,000-$280,000 based on median home prices in rural Montana markets. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, and living room furniture from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local suppliers. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential zoning approvals through Cascade County. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and trash service total around $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600-$900 monthly), cleaning supplies, maintenance, Airbnb service fees (3% host fee), and marketing budget approximately $6,000-$8,000. Additional considerations include potential property management fees if using services like Vacasa or RedAwning, and maintaining 10-15% of gross revenue for ongoing maintenance and improvements.

Airbnb properties in Vaughn, Montana show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $85-$120 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, generating approximately $15,000-$25,000 in annual revenue based on 40-60% occupancy rates during peak summer months (June-September) when outdoor recreation drives demand. Operating expenses typically consume 45-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-250/month), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-3,500 yearly, resulting in net profit margins of 20-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to outdoor attractions like fishing access points along the Missouri River, competitive pricing during hunting seasons (October-November), professional photography showcasing Montana's scenic landscape, and maintaining high cleanliness standards with quick response times to guest inquiries. Properties within 30 minutes of Great Falls or featuring unique amenities like hot tubs or fire pits typically achieve 15-25% higher occupancy rates, while seasonal fluctuations require hosts to optimize pricing strategies with winter rates dropping 30-40% below peak season levels, making annual cash flow heavily dependent on maximizing summer bookings.

Airbnb investments in Vaughn, Montana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, depending on property type and location within the area. Properties near outdoor recreation areas like Glacier National Park access points tend to perform at the higher end of this range, with vacation rentals achieving occupancy rates of 60-75% during peak summer months (June-September) and 30-45% during winter months. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates ranging from $120-180 for 2-3 bedroom homes and $200-300 for larger luxury cabins. The market benefits from Montana's growing tourism sector and limited hotel inventory in rural areas, though investors should account for seasonal fluctuations and higher maintenance costs due to harsh winter conditions, with total operating expenses typically running 35-45% of gross rental income.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Vaughn, Montana, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties in the Vaughn area include Century 21 Big Sky Real Estate and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties, both established around 2018-2020 in the region. National services like Mashvisor (founded 2014), BiggerPockets (2004), and AirDNA (2015) provide market data and investment analysis for Montana markets including smaller towns like Vaughn. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services for Airbnb investments in Montana, while local property management companies such as Montana Vacation Rentals and Big Sky Property Management extend services to rural areas like Vaughn. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock (2015) and Fundrise (2012) occasionally feature Montana properties, and local brokerages such as Windermere Real Estate and Coldwell Banker have agents experienced in vacation rental investments throughout central Montana, including the Vaughn market near Great Falls.