Status Quo – Short Term Renting to tourists has been a small, mostly uncontroversial practice in Bridger Canyon for decades with only about 3% of homes (10-15 ) occupied as Short Term Rentals in the past and to this day.
Rough Timeline:
1971 to 2021 - Bridger Canyon Zoning is adopted and amended multiple times with no restriction on renting of any duration, except for renting a caretaker residence. Common understanding of both government and residents is “not prohibited = allowed”
2017 – Submitted BC Zoning updates worked on for years by community committee chaired by Richard Lyons including significant Short Term Rentals regulation
2021 – County adopts BC Zoning updates, rejects proposed STR section leaving original zoning text absent rental text – Status Quo remains with about 3% of homes STRs
**County adds Part 1 Administrative Rules to BC Zoning without discussion of how it will change traditional meaning and enforcement from “allowed if not prohibited” to “not allowed by omission”
2023 – County changes website to ban Short Term Rentals in all zoning districts that do not explicitly regulate STRs by applying Administrative clause “not listed = not allowed”
2024 – First enforcement of “not listed = not allowed” to ban short term renting a primary residence in Bridger Canyon setting precedent that instantly bans all STRs in Bridger Canyon (except Bridger Pines) and by extension throughout Gallatin County and potentially other types of land use not listed in zoning regulations.
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