Opening a restaurant in Montana requires compliance with several state and federal regulations. The primary requirement is obtaining a valid Retail Food Establishment license from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. This license is mandatory for anyone operating a food establishment in the state. Additionally, you may need to satisfy other requirements from federal, state, or local agencies, such as building code permits and inspections, fire and life safety inspections, permits or inspections for private or public water supply systems or sewage treatment systems, and occupational health and safety requirements.
1. Retail Food Establishment License
- Purpose: This license is required to operate a food establishment in Montana. It ensures that your establishment complies with the state's food regulations and safety standards.
- Estimated Cost: The license fees are $85 for an establishment with no more than two employees working at any one time, and $115 for establishments with more than two employees.
- How to Register: To apply for this license, you need to make a written application on forms provided by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Before approving your application, the regulatory authority will inspect your proposed retail food establishment to ensure it complies with the requirements. If your establishment passes the inspection, the department will issue you a license.
2. Off-Premise Beer/Wine License (if applicable)
- Purpose: If you are planning to sell alcohol at your restaurant, you will need to apply for this license.
- How to Register: The eStop Business License Program handles this license. Contact them for more information.
3. Business Registration
- Purpose: If you intend to transact business in Montana, you will need to register your business with the Secretary of State’s office.
- How to Register: Contact the Secretary of State’s office for more information about registering your business.
4. Building Code Permits and Inspections
- Purpose: These permits and inspections ensure that your establishment complies with local building codes.
- How to Register: Contact your local building department for more information.
5. Fire and Life Safety Inspections
- Purpose: These inspections ensure that your establishment complies with fire and life safety regulations.
- How to Register: Contact your local fire department for more information.
6. Water Supply System or Sewage Treatment Systems Permits and Inspections
- Purpose: These permits and inspections ensure that your establishment complies with regulations related to water supply and sewage treatment.
- How to Register: Contact your local health department for more information.
7. Occupational Health and Safety Requirements
- Purpose: These requirements ensure that your establishment complies with occupational health and safety regulations.
- How to Register: Contact your local occupational health and safety department for more information.
For more details, you can review the rules online at the following links:
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
- Administrative Rules of Montana
- eStop Business License Program
- Lincoln County Environmental Health
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Environmental Health and Food Safety
Learn more about local food delivery trends and insights:
About Otter
- Increase revenue up to 10% with Marketing*
- Reduce storefront downtime by up to 50% with Live Alerts*
- Increase sales up to 50% with Digital Dine-In's QR code ordering*
- Reduce missed orders to less than 1% with Order Manager's Auto-Accept feature*
- Supercharge your food business with our all-in-one restaurant POS system*