Sleeping Accommodations

A public accommodations license is required if sleeping accommodations are provided on less than a monthly (i.e. nightly or weekly) basis, including sleeping accommodations such as a hotel, motel, inn, lodge, bed and breakfast, rooming house, boarding house, hostel, tourist home, vacation rental, Airbnb, VRBO, etc.

A public accommodation license can be subtyped into 1) a hotel or motel, 2) a hostel, boarding house or rooming house, 3) a bed and breakfast or 4) a tourist home or vacation rental.

A plan review application is required for all new construction or major remodels (remodels that involve changes in plumbing fixtures, new equipment layout or new floor plans).

If the facility was already licensed with the state and is only making a change of ownership a plan review may not be required.  However a new license application must be filled out with new owner’s information.  Please have a copy of previous owner’s license available to verify they were licensed.

The first step is to complete and submit a plan review application for review. Each license type has its own plan review application. View the application process flow chart (PDF) (opens in a new tab).

There are several options for submission of a plan review application. Be sure to include all required documentation and the plan review application fee when submitting.

1. To mail your application:  Flathead County Environmental Health Department, 1035 First Ave W, Kalispell MT 59901
2. To e-mail your application:  ehealth(at)flatheadcounty.gov
3. Drop off your application in person at 40 11th St W. Suite 210, Kalispell MT 59901.

Your application will not be reviewed until payment has been received.  You can call our office at 406-751-8130 to pay over the phone with a credit card or submit a check or money order made out to FCCHD with the application.

The review process for plan review applications typically takes 2-3 weeks. The amount of time the plan review process takes depends on the number of applications recently received by this office. In the spring and summer, this office sees an increase in application submissions, which can increase the review time to 4-6 weeks.

You will receive an approval or denial letter by e-mail. The letter may contain conditions that need to be met before a license can be issued. Once any conditions listed are met, you will need to schedule an inspection with the inspector that performed the review.

Approval of plans are good for 90 days. A licensing inspection must be scheduled before this expiration. However, an additional 90-day extension will be granted upon request by the applicant. Longer extensions may be considered and granted with special circumstances.

Expect to answer questions about the facility and its operation. Licensing inspections are mostly about the physical facility. No problems should arise as long as you adhered to the approved plans. The inspector will review some operational expectations, future inspections as well as annual license renewal. Assuming the inspection goes well, a license application will be completed and mailed to the State accompanied by your first year's license fee. You will need a check or money order to pay this fee. More details about what to expect on a preopening/licensing inspection are available on our preoperational inspection checklist (PDF) (opens in a new tab).

Pools and spas that are available to your guests as an amenity in a sleeping accommodation must either be licensed and inspected or they must be drained and filled between each guest stay. Obtaining a pool or spa license requires:

1) a plan review by Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Food and Consumer Safety Section,

2) regular annual or bi-annual inspections by Flathead County Health Department and

3) daily monitoring by a certified pool operator.

If the pool or spa is in a common area with more than one user it must be licensed.  (Ex:  Large pool at Marriott hotel)

Zoning regulations can be applicable throughout the county. To verify your location's zoning, call Planning & Zoning at (406) 751-8200.

Contact your city jurisdiction or, if not in city limits, the state fire marshal.

An establishment not connected to municipal water must test their water twice a year for coliforms and once every three years for nitrates/nitrites.  The recommended time to test is when water levels are highest and lowest, so during the seasons of fall and spring.

The most common denials of licensure stem from one (or more) of the following:

1. Denial by the zoning agency. Contact the appropriate zoning agency for the location of the facility to determine if a conditional use permit is required.
2. Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA) restriction such as having two separate dwellings on a property that has a COSA limiting the property to a single-family dwelling. NOTE: A COSA is NOT associated with zoning, but is a separate document created by DEQ when a parcel is subdivided under 20 acres.
3. Inadequate septic system to handle the intended occupancy. For example, a three-bedroom septic system serving a five-bedroom home.
4. Inadequate potable water supply including a failure to test, a test that shows contamination or a failure to provide adequate filtration for a surface water source.

A Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA) is a document created by DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) when a parcel of land is subdivided under 20 acres. It is NOT associated with zoning. Common COSA restrictions include having a limited number of dwellings. Example: property is limited to a single-family dwelling. You can request a copy of your COSA through the land research request form.

You can look up and print your septic system permit using the septic permit map (opens in a new tab), or submit a land research request.

You may file a complaint with our office. Be sure to have the address of the facility in question.