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Montana · 14 statewide requirements covered

Business licences and permits in Montana

Montana waives its $20 annual report fee on time through 2027 — miss the deadline and the full $35 late fee still applies. Its restaurant fee schedule was completely rebuilt by a 2025 law after sixteen years unchanged.

What applies everywhere in Montana

14 requirements are set by Montana itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.

Requirements set by Montana that apply in every jurisdiction in the state, with the issuing agency, the published fee and the date each was last checked against its source
Annual ReportMontana Secretary of State, Business Services Division$20 if filed on time — currently waived to $0 for tax years 2024 through 2027 — or $35 if filed after 15 AprilOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Articles of IncorporationMontana Secretary of State, Business Services Division$35 one-time filingOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Articles of Organization (LLC)Montana Secretary of State, Business Services Division$35 one-time filingOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Automotive Repair Shop Licence (not required by Montana)Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Employment Relations DivisionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Certified Food Protection ManagerMontana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Environmental Health and Food Safety SectionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Child Care LicenceMontana DPHHS, Early Childhood and Family Support Division, Child Care Licensing ProgramNo feeTo every business2026-09-04
Electrical LicenceMontana State Electrical Board$210 for an original contractor licence; renewal is $210 for a contractor or $140 for a master, journeyman or residential licenceOnly in some cases2026-09-04
General Business Licence (not required by Montana)Montana Secretary of State, Business Services DivisionNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
General Contractor Licence (registration only, not a competency licence)Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Employment Relations Division$70 application fee for construction contractor registrationOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Plumbing LicenceMontana Board of Plumbers$380 for a master plumber, being a $100 application and a $280 licence feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Retail Food Establishment LicenceMontana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Environmental Health and Food Safety Section$150–$275 a year, banded by peak employee countTo every business2026-09-04
Sales Tax Registration (not required by Montana)Montana Department of Revenue, Business Tax UnitNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04
Salon or Shop LicenceMontana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists$275 to open, being a $125 licence and a $150 one-time inspection fee; renewal is $125 a yearTo every business2026-09-04
Veterinary Facility Permit (not required by Montana)Montana Board of Veterinary MedicineNo feeOnly in some cases2026-09-04

Which Montana city are you opening in?

We do not yet publish a Montana city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.

Is there a single Montana business licence?

No. Montana has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.

The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.

Who issues permits in Montana?

By industry

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.