Food Truck 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 / City of Billings — Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Food trucks based in Billings must hold a Montana mobile food establishment license, administered locally by RiverStone Health, which reviews plans and inspects the truck before the license is issued. Licenses run January 1 – December 31 and renew annually.

   Official government source

   $150/year (small mobile unit) or $225/year (large mobile unit) state license fee (MCA 50-50-205), plus a separate plan-review fee paid to RiverStone Health·2–4 weeks after application and inspection

   $150/year (small mobile unit) or $225/year (large mobile unit) state license fee (MCA 50-50-205), plus a separate plan-review fee paid to RiverStone Health

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

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

3. Commissary Agreement

   Depending on the mobile unit's capabilities (water, warewashing, storage), RiverStone Health may require the truck to operate from an approved commissary or servicing base under Montana's retail food rule and mobile establishment guidance. Whether a commissary agreement is needed is settled during plan review — fully self-contained units may not need one.

   If required, commissary rental is a private market cost (commonly several hundred dollars per month); it is not a government fee·Arranged before permit application

   If required, commissary rental is a private market cost (commonly several hundred dollars per month); it is not a government fee

   Arranged before permit application

Official Sources

• Billings / Yellowstone County Health Department
• Montana — No Sales Tax

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