Catering Business Permit Requirements in Billings, MT

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Montana — No Sales Tax

   Montana has no state or local sales tax. Businesses do not need a sales tax permit. However, businesses must register with the Montana Department of Revenue for applicable business taxes (e.g., withholding, corporate income tax if applicable).

   Official government source

   Free (business registration)·Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

   Free (business registration)

   Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

2. Montana Department of Public Health — Food Safety Manager Certification

   Montana requires at least one certified food safety manager per food establishment. Certification must be from an ANSI-accredited provider such as ServSafe.

   Official government source

   $80–$150·1–2 days

   $80–$150

   1–2 days

1. Yellowstone County / Billings Catering / Food Service Establishment License

   Catering businesses in Billings must be licensed as retail food establishments. The annual license is issued by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and administered locally by RiverStone Health (Yellowstone County's health department), which handles plan review and the pre-opening inspection. A licensed commercial kitchen is required. Licenses run January 1 – December 31 and renew annually.

   Official government source

   $150–$275/year state license fee depending on establishment size ($150 small, $225 medium, $275 large — MCA 50-50-205), plus a separate one-time plan-review fee paid to RiverStone Health·2–6 weeks

   $150–$275/year state license fee depending on establishment size ($150 small, $225 medium, $275 large — MCA 50-50-205), plus a separate one-time plan-review fee paid to RiverStone Health

   2–6 weeks

2. City of Billings — Business License (Finance Department)

   Billings requires a business license for any business activity conducted within the city — including home-based businesses and businesses located outside city limits that do business in Billings. The license documents payment of the city's annual business tax and is administered by the Finance Department. It is valid for one year from the month of issuance and must be renewed annually; a separate license is required for each business type and each location.

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.·1–3 weeks

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Yellowstone County Health Department
• Montana — No Sales Tax

Related Guides