Whitefish, Montana Short Term Rental Regulations
Navigate short-term rental regulations with ease! From coastal retreats to urban hubs, our in-depth guides break down the essentials for cities across the nation. Stay informed of changes to local Airbnb rules with our up-to-date insights and best practices.
Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Whitefish Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
-
Short Term City Rating6.2
-
Competition
8.7 -
Real Estate Cost
3.2 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
3.3 -
Rental Rates
9.5
Whitefish, Montana Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 7,751
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June through Aug.
- County
- Flathead
- Airports
- Glacier Park International Airport (FCA)
- Polson Airport (XXT)
Want to learn more about Whitefish?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Whitefish rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Whitefish rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Whitefish.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Whitefish guests.
Interested in other Montana cities?
Check out the Montana short term rental regulations directory
What makes Whitefish a great place to invest?
- Glacier National Park: Whitefish, Montana serves as a gateway to the majestic Glacier National Park. This world-renowned park spans over one million acres of pristine wilderness, showcasing more than 700 miles of hiking trails, striking alpine scenery, and a variety of wildlife. Visitors can embark on scenic drives, hike to cascading waterfalls, or simply marvel at the towering glaciers that inspired the park's name.
- Whitefish Mountain Resort: Offering year-round outdoor adventure, Whitefish Mountain Resort is a premier destination for skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and hiking. With over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, visitors can enjoy groomed slopes, tree runs, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. During the summer months, the resort transforms into a mountain biking and hiking paradise with trails for all ability levels.
- Downtown Whitefish: The charming downtown area of Whitefish is a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Stroll along Central Avenue to discover boutique shops, art galleries, and an array of local restaurants that showcase Montana's culinary heritage. After a day of exploration, unwind with a craft beer at one of Whitefish's local breweries or attend a live performance at the Whitefish Theatre Company.
- Whitefish Lake: Just minutes from downtown Whitefish, the serene Whitefish Lake offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, and paddleboarding. The lake's crystal-clear waters are surrounded by picturesque mountain scenery, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing day by the water or an invigorating outdoor adventure.
- Flathead National Forest: Encompassing over 2.4 million acres of lush forests, pristine rivers, and rugged mountain terrain, the Flathead National Forest provides endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can hike through dense forests, fish in the clear waters of the Flathead River, or embark on thrilling whitewater rafting adventures. The forest also offers several campgrounds and picnic areas for those looking to immerse themselves in Montana's natural beauty.
Whitefish Nearby Cities
-
-
20 miles away
- Rating: 5.0
-
-
-
88 miles away
- Rating: 5.6
-
Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Whitefish?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Whitefish has increased 14% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $537, which is higher than the national average.
-
Median Sale Price
-
$965,000
14% YoY
-
Median per Square Foot
-
$537
4% YoY
-
Average Monthly Rent
-
$2,942
5% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Whitefish, Montana
Common terms for Whitefish short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Whitefish has a description approximately 2,110 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 221 listings in Whitefish, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Whitefish, Cabin, Whitefish Lake, Deck, Whitefish Mountain, Glacier National, Lake, View, Outdoor, and Beautiful.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Whitefish?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Whitefish involve Hiking, Kayaking, Swimming, Snow Skiing, and Boating. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
-
Hiking
-
Kayaking
-
Swimming
-
Snow Skiing
-
Boating
-
Snowboarding
-
Mountain Biking
-
Wildlife Viewing
-
Cross Country Skiing
-
Cycling
-
Snowmobiling
-
Jet Skiing
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Whitefish, including Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, Whitefish Lake State Park, and Meadow Lake Golf Course. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
-
Well Known Attraction
-
Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort
Included on 73% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
Whitefish Lake State Park
Included on 73% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
Meadow Lake Golf Course
Included on 35% of listings
-
Well Known Attraction
-
Glacier National Park
Included on 27% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Whitefish Lake State Park
Included on 23% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Whitefish Lake Golf Club
Included on 23% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
Whitefish Theatre Company
Included on 23% of listings
-
Well Known Attraction
-
Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort
Included on 22% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
Dick Idol Signature Gallery
Included on 22% of listings
-
Local Landmark
-
Stumptown Ice Den
Included on 22% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Majestic Valley Arena
Included on 20% of listings
-
Regional Landmark
-
Meadow Lake Golf Course
Included on 17% of listings
What’s the weather like in Whitefish, Montana?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 55°, while the average low is about 33°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 15 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 27 inches per year. The humidity levels in Whitefish are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
19° Low 31° High
Spring
March through May
34° Low 55° High
Summer
June through August
48° Low 78° High
Fall
September through November
33° Low 54° High
Cities Near Whitefish
Whitefish, Montana, is located in Flathead County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
