Home Bakery 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

   While cottage food producers may be exempt from food manager certification, it is strongly recommended for food safety best practices.

   Official government source

   $80–$150·1–2 days

   $80–$150

   1–2 days

1. Montana Cottage Food Law

   Montana's cottage food law allows non-potentially-hazardous foods (e.g., baked goods, jams) made in a home kitchen to be sold directly to consumers. Register with the local health department's environmental health office (one-time $40 fee); registration is not required for sales only at farmers' markets. Products must carry the required labeling.

   Official government source

   $40 one-time registration fee (paid to RiverStone Health; re-register on relocation or new recipes)·1–2 weeks (if registration required)

   $40 one-time registration fee (paid to RiverStone Health; re-register on relocation or new recipes)

   1–2 weeks (if registration required)

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

• Montana Cottage Food Law
• City of Billings City Clerk

Related Guides