Food Truck 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 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. Missoula County / City of Missoula — Mobile Food Unit Permit

   Food trucks based in Missoula must hold a Montana mobile food establishment license, administered locally by Missoula Public Health, 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 Missoula Public 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 Missoula Public Health

   2–4 weeks after application and inspection

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. Commissary Agreement

   Depending on the mobile unit's capabilities (water, warewashing, storage), Missoula Public Health may require the truck to operate 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.

   Official government source

   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

• Missoula / Missoula County Health Department
• Montana — No Sales Tax

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