At a meeting of the Butte‑Silver Bow Zoning Board of Adjustment, members voted to approve Special Use Permit 25‑18 to allow short‑term rentals at 608 West Galena Street, a multifamily property owned by Wolf and Bear LLC.

Planning staff told the board the proposal would locate a short‑term rental within an existing residence under Butte‑Silver Bow Municipal Code section 17‑38‑180. Staff said the property sits in an R‑3 multifamily zone and that the proposed low‑impact lodging conforms with the area’s comprehensive‑plan guidance for mixed, traditional urban neighborhood uses.

Paul Durham, who identified himself as a member of Wolf and Bear LLC and the project manager for the building, told the board the property has been rented to travel nurses in the past and that the business model is to continue those rentals. Durham said many travel nurses work 13‑week contracts and “I’m not interested in being in the Airbnb business, but it would be really great to be able to rent the… apartments out for those gaps between the nursing contracts.”

The board’s approval carried with all votes in favor. The motion approved the staff‑recommended conditions, which include: obtaining a Montana public accommodation license through the Butte‑Silver Bow Health Department; meeting any required building, fire and health‑code requirements; making the property address and entrance visible; and limiting occupancy to levels set by the Butte‑Silver Bow Building and Fire Departments. Staff said any future changes to the business or building expansion would require additional review and a BSB business license for short‑term rentals.

The board chair said the applicant will receive written notice from staff with instructions about the remaining steps to secure a final business license.