Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Missoula, 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 Background Check Requirement

   All staff, volunteers, and household members (for family daycares) in Montana child care facilities must undergo criminal background checks through the state and FBI.

   Official government source

   $25–$75 per person·1–4 weeks

   $25–$75 per person

   1–4 weeks

1. Montana Department of Public Health — Child Care Facility License

   Child care centers in Montana must be licensed by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Child Care Licensing Program, Early Childhood and Family Support Division). Requirements include background checks for staff, facility health and fire-safety inspections, and staff-to-child ratio compliance. Montana charges no licensing fee.

   Official government source

   $0 — Montana charges no child care licensing application or renewal fee·6–12 weeks

   $0 — Montana charges no child care licensing application or renewal fee

   6–12 weeks

2. City of Missoula — Business License (Community Planning, Development & Innovation)

   Most businesses operating in Missoula must obtain a city business license through the Community Planning, Development & Innovation (CPDI) department, applied for via the city's online Permit and License Portal. State-licensed professionals (e.g., physicians, attorneys, real estate agents, insurance professionals, nail technicians) are exempt. General business licenses expire May 31 each year regardless of issue date and must be renewed annually.

   Official government source

   $60 per full-time-equivalent employee for a commercial location (minimum $240) or $40/FTE home-based (minimum $160); renewal $27/FTE (minimum $108) — CY2026 fee schedule, Resolution 8887·1–3 weeks

   $60 per full-time-equivalent employee for a commercial location (minimum $240) or $40/FTE home-based (minimum $160); renewal $27/FTE (minimum $108) — CY2026 fee schedule, Resolution 8887

   1–3 weeks

3. Missoula County / Missoula Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centers must pass building inspections for safety, ADA accessibility, fire suppression, and appropriate child-proofing standards.

   Official government source

   No flat inspection fee published; building-permit fees (if remodeling) are valuation-based. The city business license carries a $475 daycare endorsement (new) / $75 renewal.·2–6 weeks

   No flat inspection fee published; building-permit fees (if remodeling) are valuation-based. The city business license carries a $475 daycare endorsement (new) / $75 renewal.

   2–6 weeks

Official Sources

• Montana Department of Public Health — Child Care Facility License
• City of Missoula City Clerk

Related Guides