How to Start a Food Truck in Montana (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a food truck in Montana requires a state Retail Food Establishment (RFE) license from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff, and local permits from the city or county where you operate. Montana classifies mobile food establishments as Retail Food Establishments – the same licensing category as brick-and-mortar restaurants – so the process is well-defined and primarily handled at the state level through DPHHS. Montana has no state sales tax, which simplifies your financial obligations considerably compared to most states.

Food Truck Requirements in Montana at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	Montana Secretary of State	$35 (online)	3-5 business days
Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License – 1-2 employees	Montana DPHHS, Food and Consumer Safety	$85/year	Allow 2-4 weeks for plan review + inspection
Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License – 3+ employees	Montana DPHHS, Food and Consumer Safety	$115/year	Allow 2-4 weeks for plan review + inspection
Plan Review (Mobile Food Establishment)	Local County Sanitarian	Varies by county	Required before license issuance
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)	ANSI-CFP approved provider (e.g., ServSafe)	$125-$175 (exam + study materials)	1-2 days exam; results immediate or within days
Local Mobile Food Vendor Permit	City/County (varies)	Varies by jurisdiction	1-3 weeks
Vehicle Registration / Commercial Vehicle Inspection	Montana DOJ Motor Vehicles Division	Varies by vehicle	1-2 weeks
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Private insurer or Montana State Fund	Premium-based	Before first employee

How to Start a Food Truck in Montana (Step by Step)

Step 1: Form Your Business Entity

File an LLC with the Montana Secretary of State online at biz.sosmt.gov for $35. You will need a registered agent with a physical Montana address. The LLC structure protects your personal assets from food safety claims or vehicle accidents.

Montana has no general state sales tax, so you will not need to register for a sales tax permit. However, do register with the Montana Department of Revenue and the Unemployment Insurance Division once you have employees.

Step 2: Get Your Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certification

Montana requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager per establishment (ARM 37.110.205). The CFPM must pass an exam from an ANSI-CFP accredited provider. Accepted programs include:

• ServSafe: Most widely used. Exam available online or at testing centers. $15 (study guide) + $36-$80 (exam fee, depending on delivery method).
• Prometric/National Registry of Food Safety Professionals (NRFSP)
• 360training / Always Food Safe

The CFPM certification is valid for 5 years. DPHHS maintains a list of approved food manager training resources at dphhs.mt.gov.

Note: Montana does NOT require general food handler cards for all employees (some other states do). Only the manager-level CFPM is required at the state level, though individual employers may require handler cards.

Step 3: Complete a Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review

Before DPHHS will issue your Retail Food Establishment license, you must complete a plan review through your local county sanitarian or environmental health department. The plan review verifies that your truck’s layout, equipment, food storage, and sanitation facilities comply with Montana’s retail food regulations.

Submit a Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review Application to your county environmental health office. The application typically includes:

• Scaled drawings of the vehicle’s interior layout
• Equipment list (make/model/NSF certification)
• Menu description
• Food preparation and storage methods
• Water supply and waste disposal information

Contact your county health department for the specific form and fee. Key county contacts:

• Yellowstone County (Billings): Riverstone Health Environmental Health – riverstonehealth.org
• Gallatin County (Bozeman): Gallatin City-County Health Department Environmental Health – (406) 582-3120
• Cascade County (Great Falls): Great Falls Fire Department (regulates mobile food vendors) – greatfallsmt.gov
• Missoula County: Missoula City-County Health Department Environmental Health

Step 4: Apply for the State Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License

After completing your plan review, apply for the Montana DPHHS Retail Food Establishment license. Montana classifies mobile food establishments as RFEs – the same license category as fixed restaurants and food carts.

• Fee: $85 per year for establishments with 2 or fewer employees working at one time
• Fee: $115 per year for establishments with 3 or more employees working at one time
• License expiration: December 31 annually. Renewal opens approximately October 15.
• DPHHS Food and Consumer Safety Section: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/ehfs

Download the Retail Food License Application (the Mobile Food Establishment version) from DPHHS. Submit completed application, plan review approval, and payment. A pre-opening inspection by a DPHHS sanitarian must be passed before the license is issued.

Step 5: Pass the Pre-Opening Health Inspection

After your plan review is approved and your application is submitted, a DPHHS sanitarian will inspect your food truck. The inspection verifies the truck matches your approved plans and meets all food safety standards: temperature control equipment, hand-washing facilities, food storage, sanitation, and waste disposal. Annual inspections are required after opening.

Step 6: Obtain Local City/County Permits

In addition to the state RFE license, most Montana cities and counties require a local mobile food vendor permit or business license to operate within their jurisdiction. Requirements vary significantly:

• Great Falls: The Great Falls Fire Department oversees mobile food vendors in Cascade County. Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau for current permit requirements and fees: greatfallsmt.gov/fire.
• Bozeman: Bozeman City Commission has adopted food truck ordinances. Contact Gallatin County Environmental Health for permit requirements.
• Billings: Contact the City of Billings and Riverstone Health for coordinated requirements in Yellowstone County.
• Other cities: Contact the city clerk, finance department, or health department in each city where you intend to operate.

If you plan to sell at events, farmers markets, or on private property, check with the property owner or event organizer about insurance certificates and vendor agreements.

Step 7: Register Your Vehicle and Secure Insurance

Register your food truck as a commercial vehicle with the Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicles Division. If you are converting a non-food vehicle, ensure all commercial kitchen equipment is properly installed before your plan review inspection.

Insurance requirements:

• Commercial auto insurance: Required to operate the vehicle on public roads. Standard personal auto policies do not cover commercial use.
• General liability insurance: $1M occurrence is standard for food trucks. Covers food safety claims and injuries at your service window.
• Workers’ compensation: Required the moment you have any employee (including part-time workers). Contact the Montana State Fund or a private insurer.

Cost to Start a Food Truck in Montana

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Formation	$35	Online at biz.sosmt.gov
State RFE License (annual)	$85-$115	$85 (1-2 employees); $115 (3+ employees)
CFPM Certification	$125-$175	One-time; valid 5 years; exam + study materials
Plan Review Fee	Varies by county	Contact local county sanitarian
Local Mobile Food Vendor Permit	Varies by city	Required in most Montana cities
Food Truck Purchase or Conversion	$20,000-$100,000+	New vs. used; custom build vs. conversion
Commercial Auto Insurance (annual)	$1,500-$4,000	Required for operating on public roads
General Liability Insurance (annual)	$500-$1,500	$1M occurrence; required by most events/venues
Initial Food Inventory	$500-$2,000	First stocking of ingredients and supplies

Estimated total startup cost: $25,000-$115,000+ (vehicle cost is the primary variable)

Related Montana Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Montana
• How to Start a Daycare in Montana
• How to Start a Hair Salon in Montana

← Back to all Montana business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need to operate a food truck in Montana?

You need a Montana Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License from DPHHS, Food and Consumer Safety Section. The fee is $85/year for 1-2 employees working at once, or $115/year for 3 or more employees. You must also complete a plan review through your local county sanitarian and pass a pre-opening inspection. Most cities also require a separate local mobile food vendor permit.

Is a food handler certification required in Montana?

Montana requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) per food establishment – not a basic food handler card for all employees. The CFPM must pass an ANSI-CFP accredited exam (ServSafe, NRFSP, etc.) and recertify every 5 years. General food handler cards are not required statewide; only the manager-level CFPM is mandated by state regulation.

Does Montana have sales tax on food truck sales?

No. Montana has no general state or local sales tax. You do not need to collect or remit sales tax on food or beverage sales from your truck. This is one of Montana’s significant business advantages – most food truck operators in other states must manage sales tax collection, filing, and remittance.

Do I need a separate permit for each city I operate in?

Yes, most Montana cities require a local mobile food vendor permit or business license for operating within their city limits. Your state RFE license covers the food safety side statewide, but local jurisdictions control where and how food trucks may operate within their boundaries. Check with each city’s clerk, fire department, or health department before setting up.

When does my Montana food truck license expire?

Montana RFE licenses expire on December 31 of each year. Renewal opens approximately October 15. Renew annually before December 31 to avoid any lapse in operating authority. The renewal fee is the same as the initial license fee: $85 or $115 depending on employee count.