Who needs a retail food establishment license in Montana?
Issued by Your county or city-county health department (sanitarian), issued under the state Food and Consumer Safety Section, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries and ice cream shops are all retail food establishments, the license is not transferable, and a new owner needs a new one.
Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your county or city-county health department (sanitarian), issued under the state Food and Consumer Safety Section.
Sources and dates
MCA 50-50-205 (2025); DPHHS retail food license application; ARM 37.110.238. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
Yes. Apply through the local sanitarian, who reviews the plans, inspects the space and forwards the application and fee to the state; DPHHS takes no applications directly.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Montana it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Your county or city-county health department (sanitarian), issued under the state Food and Consumer Safety Section.
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a retail food establishment license in Montana? | DoorWorthy
