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Short Term Rentals in Bozeman, Montana

Short Term Rentals in Bozeman, Montana

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178 registered responses


Are you a full-time, part-time, or nonresident of Bozeman?

Response Percent Response Count
Full-time Bozeman resident. 89.3% 159
Part-time Bozeman resident. 6.7% 12
Nonresident of Bozeman. 3.9% 7

Are there Short-Term Rentals in your neighborhood?

Response Percent Response Count
Yes 73.6% 131
No 4.5% 8
Not sure 21.9% 39

If you live in Bozeman, what is the impact of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in your neighborhood?

Response Percent Response Count
I feel STRs have a positive impact on my neighborhood. 43.8% 77
I feel STRs have both positive and negative impacts on my neighborhood. 22.7% 40
I feel STRs have a negative impact on my neighborhood. 19.3% 34
I feel STRs have no impact on my neighborhood. 10.8% 19
I have no opinion on how they impact my neighborhood. 3.4% 6

If you believe Short-Term Rentals (STRs) have positive impacts, why? (select all that apply)

Response Percent Response Count
It's an opportunity to meet new people. 43.6% 58
STR properties are usually well cared for. 84.2% 112
There are fewer empty/dark houses in my neighborhood. 47.4% 63
Other 46.6% 62

If you believe Short-Term Rentals have negative impacts, why? (select all that apply)

Response Percent Response Count
Parking 63.9% 62
Noise 43.3% 42
Litter 18.6% 18
Neighborhood character has changed (please explain in the "other" box) 43.3% 42
Effect on supply of housing 56.7% 55
Safety issues 21.6% 21
Other 44.3% 43

Do you agree or disagree with the following regarding Short-Term Rentals (STRs)?

STRs should require a permit and be assessed fees.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 61.2% 109
Disagree 35.4% 63
STRs should have a limit on the number of guests.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 63.5% 113
Disagree 33.1% 59
There should be a density cap (only a certain number of STRs allowed per area/block).
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 45.5% 81
Disagree 51.1% 91
The property owner should reside on-site.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 26.4% 47
Disagree 69.1% 123
If the property owner is not on-site, there should be a local property manager / responsible person.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 78.7% 140
Disagree 20.2% 36
The City should not regulate STRs.
Response Percent Response Count
Agree 32.6% 58
Disagree 60.7% 108

Short-Term Rentals should be allowed in the following locations. (select all that apply)

Response Percent Response Count
Low-density residential neighborhoods (mostly single-household) 73.6% 131
Medium-density residential neighborhoods (some single-household, some multi-household properties) 77.5% 138
High-density residential (mostly apartments, condos, multi-household properties) 73.6% 131
Mixed-use areas (some residential, some commercial) 80.9% 144
Commercial areas 59.6% 106
They should not be allowed in the City of Bozeman. 7.9% 14

How often should Short-Term Rentals be inspected?

Response Percent Response Count
Only when initially permitted 12.4% 22
Annually 33.7% 60
Every 3 years 22.5% 40
Never 31.5% 56

My primary reason for owning / operating a Short-Term Rental (STR) is...

Response Percent Response Count
To make additional income. 28.0% 47
To pay the mortgage. 22.6% 38
I live there part-time and don't want to leave it empty. 13.7% 23
My business is owning / operating and renting out properties. 2.4% 4
I do not own / operate a STR. 60.7% 102
Other 13.7% 23

Please share any additional comments.

Answered
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Skipped
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Amy Ference inside Quadrant NE
December 22, 2016, 8:48 AM
  • Are you a full-time, part-time, or nonresident of Bozeman?
    • Full-time Bozeman resident.
  • Are there Short-Term Rentals in your neighborhood?
    • Yes
  • If you live in Bozeman, what is the impact of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in your neighborhood?
    • I feel STRs have a positive impact on my neighborhood.
  • If you believe Short-Term Rentals (STRs) have positive impacts, why? (select all that apply)
    • STR properties are usually well cared for.
    • There are fewer empty/dark houses in my neighborhood.
    • Other - The quality of lodging offered combined with proximity to downtown has made this a more desirable neighborhood, as evidenced bff the 13% growth rate seen in home prices versus the 6% seen throughout the rest of the city in the same time span
  • If you believe Short-Term Rentals have negative impacts, why? (select all that apply)
    • Other - No negative impacts that aren't the same or worse when renting a room or apartment long-term without proper background checks
  • Do you agree or disagree with the following regarding Short-Term Rentals (STRs)?
    • STRs should require a permit and be assessed fees. - Disagree
    • STRs should have a limit on the number of guests. - Disagree
    • There should be a density cap (only a certain number of STRs allowed per area/block). - Disagree
    • The property owner should reside on-site. - Disagree
    • If the property owner is not on-site, there should be a local property manager / responsible person. - Agree
    • The City should not regulate STRs. - Agree
  • Short-Term Rentals should be allowed in the following locations. (select all that apply)
    • Low-density residential neighborhoods (mostly single-household)
    • Medium-density residential neighborhoods (some single-household, some multi-household properties)
    • High-density residential (mostly apartments, condos, multi-household properties)
    • Mixed-use areas (some residential, some commercial)
    • Commercial areas
  • How often should Short-Term Rentals be inspected?
    • Only when initially permitted
  • My primary reason for owning / operating a Short-Term Rental (STR) is...
    • I do not own / operate a STR.
  • Please share any additional comments.

    Many of the concerns I've heard at city commission meetings and in public forums on this topic have revolved around a "me, me, me" mentality and have relied heavily on anecdotal data to support their position. I have personally lived in close proximity to young adults who have had the police over on numerous occasions, refused to turn down their music, etc, and these were people who had a one-year lease. Yet I don't believe based on my bad experiences that we should ban young adults from renting, or put undue burdens on landlords to be held personally responsible for the behavior of their tenants.
    I also once managed the old hostel on Olive where I met a large number of temporary visitors, from tourists to temporary construction workers to temporarily homeless families. I loved seeing my town through their eyes, sharing what makes Bozeman so magical, and seeing them fall in love just as I once had.
    I have used vacation rentals extensively when traveling as a way to be closer to the family members who travel to join us, relied on them heavily to house out-of-town guests at my wedding, and found them to be a great way to visit a new city and meet some locals who are willing to show us the best of their region.
    By and large, these rentals are already regulated by the federal government in that they are required to pay taxes and report earnings. I'm not exactly sure what the city of Bozeman would do regulation-wise, but I am concerned that it will over-complicate things, that it will be expensive to enforce, and that it will negatively impact our ability to bring our high cost of housing to an affordable level for the average family, as most families wouldn't dream of renting a room full-time but could easily offer that room for a few weeks in the winter and a few in the summer and get nearly the same return, allowing them to buy into a market that is quickly pricing out all but the millionaire class.

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Agree
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STRs should require a permit and be assessed fees.
STRs should have a limit on the number of guests.
There should be a density cap (only a certain number of STRs allowed per area/block).
The property owner should reside on-site.
If the property owner is not on-site, there should be a local property manager / responsible person.
The City should not regulate STRs.
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