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! Your next step is to determine which license to apply for.
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.
Which City of Missoula Business License should I apply for?
| Will you be doing anything construction related? (Building, repairing, landscape installation, or installing materials or devices.) You will need to apply for a Contractor Business License | ||
| Will you be selling or vending products on the street, door-to-door, or from a cart/truck? You will need to apply for an Itinerant Vendor License | ||
| Are you the landlord of a commercial property? You will need to apply for a Rental Business License | ||
| Are you selling goods or services, but none of the above apply? (Cleaning/Janitorial, Daycares, Health Club/Gym, Hotel/Motel, etc.) You will need to apply for a General Business License* | ||
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Contact Us
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Community Planning,
Development, and Innovation
Front Desk
(406) 552-6630
Find CPDI in City HallCurrent Planning & Land Use
Zoning Desk
(406) 552-6625
Available hours: 10am-2pm
zoningdesk@ci.missoula.mt.usPermit & Business Licensing
Coordinators
(406) 552-6060
Available hours: 9am-4pm
coordinators@ci.missoula.mt.usCode Compliance
(406) 552-6630
Available hours: 8am-5pm
Code Compliance Staff DirectoryBuilding
(406) 552-6630
Available hours: 8am-5pmBuilding Inspections
To schedule call: 406-552-6040
Text ‘SCHEDULE’ to 888-413-4439
Available 24-hours
How do I apply for my business license?
Determine what type of license you need to apply for and select that license type 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.
General Business License
Most businesses fall into this category. Construction, commercial rental, cannabis industry, or liquor related businesses have their own special license type. General business licenses expire May 31st each year, regardless of the issue date.
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. Contractor business licenses expire the last day in February each year, regardless of the issue date.
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 |
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. Itinerant business licenses expire May 31st each year, regardless of the issue date.
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. Commercial Rental licenses expire April 30th each year, regardless of the issue date.
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. Liquor business licenses expire January 31st each year, regardless of the issue date.
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.
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. Cannabis business licenses expire May 31st each year, regardless of the issue date.
Renewing Your License
You must renew your license each year. Different license and registrations expire at different months during the year. Review the Expiration Dates (below) to determine when you must renew each year. The expiration of your license is also listed on your issued license certificate.
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.
Renew Online Now - 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 the 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?
- How do I know which license to apply for?
- When do I need to register my tourist home or short term rental?
- How do I check the status of my license?
- Is my LLC, Sole Proprietorship, or registration with the state the same thing as a City of Missoula business license?
- When does my license expire?
- Can I search for business licenses, tourist homes, or commercial rental registrations located or working in the City of Missoula?
- Can I transfer my Business License?
- Can I open in my business before I receive the business license?
- How do I close my business?
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 | May 31st |