Business Licensing
The City of Missoula requires most businesses located or operating in city limits to get a business license. Determine if you need a license, what type of business license you need, how to apply and and receive a license, and what fees you will need to pay.
| Do I need a City of Missoula Business License? |
|---|
| Are you grossing more than $6,000 per year? AND will you be conducting your business within the city limits? OR are you applying for permits within city limits? If YES, you should apply for a City of Missoula business license! |
| If NO, you do not need a city of Missoula Business License. |
Licenses located within city limits that are exempt should submit an Exempt Affidavit Form.
How do I apply for my business license?
Select the License Type that you are required to obtain for more details, including:
- Specific requirements and information you may need to provide during the application process.
- Forms you need to complete.
- How to apply and pay. Some licenses are submitted online in the Accela Citizen Access Permitting and Licensing Portal, OR some are submitted by completing and submitting fillable PDF applications.
Contact Us
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Walter Banziger
Deputy Director
Email Walter BanzigerBuilding
Phone: (406) 552-6630
Available hours: 8am-5pm
buildingdesk@ci.missoula.mt.usPermits & Business Licensing
Phone: (406) 552-6060
Available hours: 10am-2pm
coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.usCode Compliance
Phone: (406) 552-6630
Available hours: 8am-5pm
Code Compliance Staff DirectoryZoning & Land Use Review
Phone: (406) 552-6625
Available hours: 10am-2pm
zoningdesk@ci.missoula.mt.usInspections
To schedule call: 406-552-6040
Text ‘SCHEDULE’ to 888-413-4439
Available 24-hours
General Business License
Most businesses fall into this category. Construction, commercial rental, cannabis industry, or liquor related businesses have their own special license type.
Required forms for application
All owners and employees onsite residential property must submit a background check (PDF) with their application. The completed background check(s) are attached during the application process.
How to Submit
- Get prepared with:
- Visa or MasterCard payment is accepted at time of application
- If renting a commercial space, the commercial rental license associated with your location
- Background Check forms, if applicable, to attach during the application process
- Visit the Permit and License Portal
- Review step-by-step instructions to submit your license if you need help
Construction Contractor
A Contractor License is a special license type for businesses who build, repair, or install materials or devices on new or existing commercial or residential property.
Licensed contractors must provide a Certificate of Insurance with a minimum of $300,000 general liability at time of issuance. Licensed contractors must provide current Certificates of Insurance to apply for permits, schedule inspections, and renew their business license. Excavation, Right-of-Way, and Public Utility Contractors must provide surety bonds in the sum specified, subject to conditions specifically required in applicable ordinances.
| Gas Fitting | $3,000 | Section 13.24.030 |
| Sidewalk, Curb, Paving | $10,000 | Section 12.08.03 |
| Excavation | $20,000 | Section 12.24.120 |
| Over-Sized Loads / House Moving | $20,000 | Section 15.44.020 |
| Public Utilities | $50,000 | Section 12.24.150 |
General Business License applications are available in electronic PDF format. You may need to download a free Adobe App to complete the fillable form. Email all applicable required forms to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us. Incomplete or missing forms or information may result in delays.
Required forms for application:
All owners and employees onsite residential property must submit a background check (PDF) with their application.* For example, going onto or entering residential property to remodel, re-roof, fence, paint, landscape, trim trees, or install floors.
Required Supplemental Information before license issuance and to maintain active license:
- Certificate of Insurance (a minimum of $300,000 general liability) emailed to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or attached to license application. (MUC 5.08.150)
- Applicable bonds emailed to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or attached to license application.
- Corporations, contractors/subcontractors with paid employees, and out-of-state contractors must submit a copy of State of Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry Certificate of Contractor Registration.* Please call the State of Montana Dept. of Labor & Industry at (406) 444-7734 for information about obtaining this certificate.
*State licensed Electricians and Plumbers are exempt from this requirement as they are licensed under strict State requirements.
How to Apply
- Get prepared with:
- Visa or MasterCard payment is accepted at time of application
- If renting a commercial space, the commercial rental license associated with your location
- Background Check forms, if applicable, to attach during the application process
- Supplement Information (insurance and bond) may be attached during the application process
- Visit the Permit and License Portal
- Review step-by-step instructions to submit your license if you need help
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.
There are specific guidelines for setting up on city streets that mobile vendors must follow.
General Business License applications are available in electronic PDF format. You may need to download a free Adobe App to complete the fillable form. Email all applicable required forms to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us. Incomplete or missing forms or information may result in delays.
Required forms and applications:
- Itinerant Vendor Business License Application
- Street Vendor Requirements
- All owners and employees: background check (PDF) with applications
How to Apply
- Complete your required forms and license application
- Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI.
- Permit & Business License Coordinators will email you once license is ready for payment.
- Once payment is made, departments will review and approve your application.
Commercial Rental License
Anyone who has Commercial property available for rent or lease must obtain a Commercial Rental License. Fees are based on the square footage of the building.
Required forms for application:
How to Apply
- Complete your license application
- Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI.
- Permit & Business License Coordinators will email you once license is ready for payment.
- Once payment is made, departments will review and approve your application.
Liquor License
Both a State of Montana Liquor License and a City of Missoula Liquor License are required before the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages within the City of Missoula.
Required forms and documents for application:
- Liquor License Application (PDF)
- Wastewater Classification Survey (FIllable PDF) *Must accompany all commercial location applications
- Copy of your State Liquor License
How to Apply
- Complete your license application
- Email all required documents to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us or drop the application off at CPDI.
- Permit & Business License Coordinators will email you once license is ready for payment.
- Once payment is made, departments will review and approve your application.
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.
Starting January 1st, 2023, all cannabis related businesses will be required to have an active '420 License'. Read more information on this specific license type.
Renewing Your License
You must renew your license each year. Different license and registrations expire at different months during the year. Review the table below to determine when you must renew each year.
Change in physical location (homebased or commercial), change in ownership, or change in nature of business requires a new license application. Do not renew your license if you have changed addresses, ownership, or function/severity.
How to Renew Your License
- Online - You will receive an email to log in to the Accela Citizen Access Permitting and Licensing Portal to make payment to renew your license. You can renew your license up to two months before your license expiration, once you receive the notification email.
- Check - Drop-off or mail a check. Licenses that do not renew in the first month will receive a paper invoice 2-3 weeks before expiration of their license. The bottom portion of the invoice and check should be submitted together.
- Over the Phone - Call 552-6060 once you have received the email or invoice reminding you to renew. Due to high call volumes online or check is preferred.
Late renewals have penalty fees. 25% at two months past due, 50% at three months past due, and 100% penalty after four or more months past due.
- Do I need a business license?
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Any person or entity conducting business and/or offering goods or services within the Missoula City Limits, and grossing more than $6,000 annually, shall be required to obtain a business license. This includes businesses serving as a landlord by renting commercial office, retail, wholesale or warehouse space. There are exceptions, such as businesses by a church, civic, or fraternal organizations for fundraising on a temporary basis, non-profits who hold a 501(c)3 from the state, and certain licensed professions that are exempt from city licensing. Contact coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us if you are unsure.
- How do I know which license to apply for?
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After reviewing this site, if you are unsure which license to apply for, email coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us. Include answers to the following questions:
1. What will be the nature of your business?
2. Will you be working out of your home or from a commercial location?
3. Is the physical location of your business within the city limits?
4. Will you be going to other people’s homes to operate your business?
5. Will your business be making for than $6,000 annually?
- When do I need to register my tourist home or short term rental?
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You are considered a tourist home if you meet all of the following criteria:
- Your property lies within the Missoula City Limits
- You are offering short term stays, less than 30 days
- You are offering your entire home/condo/apartment/ADU as a vacation rental, with a separate entrance and living area
- You will not be sharing any common area or spaces inside the home/residence (i.e. kitchen, bathroom, living room)
You are not considered a tourist home if:
- You will only be renting a portion of your home, simliar to a Bed and Breakfast. If you are running a Bed and Breakfast, you will need to apply for a General Business License
- You are renting your own home to occupants for greater than 30 consecutive days, and you are the landlord. If you are renting multiple properties and acting as a property management company, you would apply for one of the following:
- A General Business License, if you are hiring out your handyman, maintenance and/or repair services to a licensed and insured contractor, who holds an active city Contractor Business License.
- A Contractor Business License, if you are handling your own property maintenance and/or repairs, painting, flooring etc.
- How do I check the status of my license?
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You can check the status of your license by using our Accela Citizen Access Permitting and Licensing Portal! You will first need to register as a new user if you haven’t already done so. We will then link your registration to your business license so you can check its progress online!
- Is my LLC, Sole Proprietorship, or registration with the state the same thing as a City of Missoula business license?
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No. The City of Missoula business license is a completely separate process from your State requirements.
If you need to set up your Articles of Incorporation (LLC, Inc., Sole Proprietor, etc), register your business name, acquire your Tax ID, etc, you should refer to the Secretary of State website for more information. Secretary of State URL: https://biz.sosmt.gov/
To obtain your ICEC (Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate), please refer to the Department of Labor and Industry. Department of Labor and Industry URL: https://erd.dli.mt.gov/work-comp-regulations/montana-contractor/independent-contractor
- When does my license expire?
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Different license and registrations expire at different months during the year. You must renew your license each year. View can view the expiration date of your license on your business license certificate. The calendar of license expiration is available on the Business License website.
- Can I search for business licenses, tourist homes, or commercial rental registrations located or working in the City of Missoula?
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You can search for any business license by using our Accela Citizen Access Permitting and Licensing Portal! You do not need to register as a user to search for a license. Once you are on the home page, click the “Licenses” link at the top. Use the search function to find a business. You can search by License name, address, type or number.
Pro Tips: When searching by address, if the street name is a single digit between 1-9, you will need to type a zero ‘0’ before the single digit streets. (I.e., 01, 02, 03). Do not use directions in the street name or use street type. More often than not, less is more when using the search function.
- Can I transfer my Business License?
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No. Your City of Missoula Business License does not transfer. Change in physical location (homebased or commercial), change in ownership, or change in nature of business requires a new license application.
- Can I open in my business before I receive the business license?
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No. That is why it is important to apply for your business license far in advance of your planned opening date. The review process fluctuates based on the time of year, but is a multi-week process. During peak times, some licenses may take up to 12 weeks for review.
- How do I close my business?
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You must inform the City of Missoula that you are closing your business in writing. We cannot close the business over the phone. The most effective way to ensure we close your record is to send an email to coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.us. You can also select the “business closed” option on your renewal invoice and return it to the Permits and Business Licensing Coordinators.
Regulations and Resources
- Missoula Municipal Code, Title 5
- Montana Secretary of State Online Business Services to register a Business Name or ABN/DBA, file your Articles of Organization, or for more information regarding Professional Licenses.
- Contact the IRS to apply for a Tax ID number or EIN.
- State of Montana Department of Labor and Industry to obtain your state Certificate of Contractor Registration. Or, call (406) 444-7734 for information about obtaining this certificate. (Applies only to corporations, contractors/subcontractors with paid employees and out-of-state contracts).
- Missoula SBDC for tools and guidance to help small businesses succeed.
- 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.
- Missoula City-County Health Department reviews all licenses that are serving, making, or storing food, beverages, or other consumables. They also review tattoo parlors and body art establishments, child cares, and public accommodations (hotels, bed and breakfasts), painters, and lawn care providers using products/pesticides.
Expiration Dates
| License Type | Annual Expiration |
|---|---|
| General | May 31st |
| Contractor | February 28th |
| Mobile / Itinerant Vendor | May 31st |
| Commercial Rental | April 30th |
| Liquor | January 31st |
| Tourist Home Registration | January 31st |
| 420 Cannabis | December 31st |