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Business Licensing
Business License Activity
A searchable report of business licenses issued and/or renewed is available in the permitting and licensing portal.View the Business License Fee Schedule.
Contact Us
Business Licensing is part of Development Services, located on the west end of the main floor of City Hall at 435 Ryman Street. Call (406) 552-6121 or email for more information. - General Business License
- Construction Contractor License
- Mobile / Itinerant Vendor
- Commercial Rental License
- Liquor License
- Medical Marijuana License
- Smart911 Facility
General Business License
Most businesses fall into this category. If you are providing goods or services in the City of Missoula that does not involve construction, commercial rentals or liquor, you will need a General Business License. A background check is required for all business owners who go onto residential property for any purpose.The City offers two type of general business licenses: Commercial Location and Home Based Location.
- If your business is at a commercial location inside the City limits complete the Business License Application
- If your business is in your home inside City limits complete the Business License Application and Home Occupation Additional Info City.
- If your business is in your home outside City limits within Missoula County complete the Business License Application and Home Occupation Additional Info County
Construction Contractor
A Construction Contractor is someone who builds, repairs or installs
materials or devices on new or existing commercial or residential property. Contractors are required to have General Liability Insurance, Workers' Compensation coverage or a Workers' Comp exemption.
A background check is required for all contractors going onto residential property.
Mobile/Street Vendor
A mobile or itinerant vendor is anyone soliciting or providing goods and/or services in the City of Missoula out of a temporary location. All mobile vendors must pass a background check and route the application before they can set up for business.
There are specific guidelines for setting up on city streets that mobile vendors must comply with. Please see street vendor requirements.
A mobile or itinerant vendor is anyone soliciting or providing goods and/or services in the City of Missoula out of a temporary location. All mobile vendors must pass a background check and route the application before they can set up for business.
There are specific guidelines for setting up on city streets that mobile vendors must comply with. Please see street vendor requirements.
Commercial Rental License
Anyone who has Commercial property available for rent or lease must obtain a Commercial Rental License. The fees are based on the square footage of the building.
Liquor License
Any person who has acquired a State of Montana Liquor License must also obtain a City of Missoula Liquor License before the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages. A copy of your State Liquor License must be submitted with your City Liquor License Application. The license must be posted for the public to see and there are no refunds if the business closes. All liquor licenses expire at midnight on January 31.Transfers
The City Liquor License can be transferred upon application signed by the applicant for the transfer accompanied by evidence of approval of the transfer of the license by the Department of Revenue to the named business.
Medical Marijuana Business License Application
Any business that is involved in the “acquisition, possession, cultivation, manufacture, delivery, transfer or transportation of marijuana within the city limits” or if the owner of the business resides within city limits, must apply for a Medical Marijuana Business License.
How to Apply
What you will need to bring in with you to apply:
Copies of drivers license/state picture or governmental ID of all owners and employees
The physical address of all owners and employees
The physical address of the business
Process and Length
How long it will take to obtain your license depends on where your business is located. The Police Department will need to verify the caregiver status of all employees and owners. This process can take up to 10 business days or longer depending how responsive The State of Montana Department of Health and Human Services.
Outside a Commercial Location
If you operate out of a commercial location, a City of Missoula Business License will not be issued until all appropriate departments have approved this location. This process can take up to 90 days.
Emergency Preparedness for Businesses
Signing up with Smart911Facility is a great way for you to protect your business by allowing you to provide additional premise information for your business during an emergency 9-1-1 call. Missoula County provides Smart911Facility to all businesses and other organizations that operate and have physical locations in Missoula County at no cost.
Click here for more information and to register for Smart911Facility.