Food Truck Permit Requirements in Great Falls, 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. Cascade County / City of Great Falls — Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Food trucks based in Great Falls must hold a Montana mobile food establishment license, administered locally by the Cascade City-County Health Department, which reviews plans and inspects the truck before the license is issued. Licenses 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 the Cascade City-County Health Department·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 the Cascade City-County Health Department

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

2. City of Great Falls — Business License / Safety Inspection Certificate (Great Falls Fire Rescue)

   Great Falls requires a Business License (Safety Inspection Certificate) for each commercial business located within city limits, processed by Great Falls Fire Rescue under Title 5 of the City Code (406-727-8070). The fee is based on the square footage of the premises, and the process includes a fire/safety inspection. Home-based businesses instead obtain a Home Occupation Certificate, and businesses located outside city limits that work in the city need a Non-Resident Vendor Certificate. Renewals are due by the end of the calendar year.

   Official government source

   New issuance: $300 (up to 2,000 sq ft) to $895 (over 100,000 sq ft) by square-footage tier; renewal $80–$640/year (2025 fee schedule)·1–3 weeks

   New issuance: $300 (up to 2,000 sq ft) to $895 (over 100,000 sq ft) by square-footage tier; renewal $80–$640/year (2025 fee schedule)

   1–3 weeks

3. Commissary Agreement

   Depending on the mobile unit's capabilities (water, warewashing, storage), the Cascade City-County Health Department may require operation from an approved commissary or servicing base under Montana's retail food rule. 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

• Great Falls / Cascade County Health Department
• Montana — No Sales Tax

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