The license fee is fixed statewide by Montana law (MCA 50-50-205) and cannot be varied locally; RiverStone Health collects it and 90% goes to the local board inspection fund. Licenses run Jan 1-Dec 31 and are issued at the pre-opening inspection. Renewal applications mailed in November; late fee after Dec 31.
Turnaround: RiverStone typically processes plan reviews in 2-3 weeks off-season, 3-4 weeks in peak season
Same MCA 50-50-205 fee structure as fixed establishments. Mobile units must operate from a licensed commissary unless fully self-contained. Submit a Plan Review Application and fee to RiverStone Health, then schedule a pre-opening inspection.
| Category | Annual fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Caterer | $85/yr (<=2 employees at any one time) or $115/yr (all others) | Montana prices by employee count, not by establishment category (MCA 50-50-205); a caterer is licensed as a retail food establishment. No separate caterer fee. |
| Commissary / central preparation kitchen | $85/yr (<=2 employees) or $115/yr (all others) | Licensed as a retail food establishment; no distinct commissary fee tier. |
| Bakery / food processing | $85/yr (<=2 employees) or $115/yr (all others) | Retail bakery licensed as a retail food establishment; wholesale food manufacturing is regulated separately by the Montana Dept of Agriculture, not RiverStone. |
| Bar / limited food service | $85/yr (<=2 employees) or $115/yr (all others) | A bar serving food is licensed as a retail food establishment on the same MCA 50-50-205 fee. |
| Grocery / market with deli | $85/yr (<=2 employees) or $115/yr (all others) | Grocery/market with a deli licensed as a retail food establishment; single statewide fee by employee count. |
| Temporary / seasonal event | null - Montana temporary food establishment license fees are set under MCA 50-50-205 but the specific temporary amount was not captured in reviewed sources. Confirm with RiverStone Health (406-256-2770). | Temporary/seasonal food establishments require a separate license. |
| Pushcart / mobile vending | $85/yr (0-5 employees) or $115/yr (6 or more employees); plus $115 one-time plan review for a new unit | Mobile retail food establishments use the same MCA 50-50-205 employee-count fee as fixed establishments; commissary required unless fully self-contained. |