eStop Business Licenses Online Service lets you apply for and renew up to eight state licenses all in one simple, convenient, and secure service.
eStop lets you maintain:
eStop includes just eight of the hundreds of state licenses.
For a comprehensive list for all Montana licenses visit the Montana License Lookup.
Montana Lottery Licenses
A Lottery license is required to be a Lottery Retailer. There are two types of licenses available in Montana.
More information on Lottery Retailer Licenses is available in the eStop Business Licenses Guide and the Montana Lottery Retailers page.
| License | Application Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Lottery License | $50 | $0 |
| Board of Horse Racing/Fantasy Games | $75 | $75 |
| Sports Wagering | $50 | $0 |
Nursery Licenses
A nursery license lets you distribute, sell, or resell nursery stock.
A landscaping or lawn maintenance business needs a nursery license if it provides, plants, or installs new plants or turf and charges for the plants.
Businesses or individuals that sell or distribute nursery stock at more than one location only need one nursery license per tax identification number.
Learn more about nursery licenses in the eStop Business License Guide or from the Montana Department of Agriculture.
| License Type | License Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| New Business Application Fee | $25 | |
| Landscape Service | $150 | |
| Sod Farmer | $220 | |
| Nursery | Under $5,000 Gross Annual Sales | $25 |
| $5,001—$75,000 Gross Annual Sales | $135 | |
| $75,001—$150,000 Gross Annual Sales | $200 | |
| $150,001—$250,000 Gross Annual Sales | $300 | |
| Over $250,000 Gross Annual Sales | $400 | |
| Nursery licenses are subject to a $25 late fee for renewals after the due date. | ||
Please Note
You must contact Layla Dunlap at the Montana Department of Agriculture one month before your license expires to report your business’s license category.
If you do not contact Layla Dunlap before your Renewal Notice is generated your license will default to the highest category.
You may be subject to a change fee to change your category after your Renewal Notice is generated
Contact Layla Dunlap:
- Layla.Dunlap@mt.gov
- Phone
- (406) 444-3428
Retail Food Establishment Licenses
A retail food establishment license lets you sell ready-to-eat food and drinks.
License fees are based on the number of employees working at a time.
When applying for a new license or renewing an existing license, you will need approval from a registered sanitarian.
Learn more about Retail Food Establishments from the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, or learn more about retail food establishment licenses in the eStop Business Licenses Guide.
| Number of Employees | Fee |
|---|---|
| Two or Fewer Employees | $85 |
| Three or More Employees | $115 |
| Retail Food Licenses have a $25 per day late fee for payments made after the due date. | |
Petroleum Dealers Licenses (Meters)
A petroleum dealer license lets you sell petroleum.
License fees are based on the meter’s gallons per minute capacity.
Learn more about petroleum dealer licenses in the eStop Business License Guide or from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
| Gallons Per Minute | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 20 | $21 |
| 21—130 | $70 |
| Over 130 | $83 |
| LPG (Propane) Meters | $102 |
| Petroleum dealers licenses are subject to a 50% late fee if they are 60 days or more overdue. Measuring devices may be removed from service for continued non-payment. |
|
Weighing Device Licenses (Scales)
A weighing license lets you operate commercial scales.
License fees are based on capacity.
Learn more about weighing device licenses in the eStop Business License Guide or from the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
| Scale Capacity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 500 pounds | $20 |
| 500—1,999 pounds | $33 |
| 2,000—7,999 pounds | $64 |
| 8,000—60,000 pounds | $165 |
| Over 60,000 pounds | $280 |
| Weighing device licenses are subject to a 50% late fee if they are 60 days or more overdue. Measuring devices may be removed from service for continued non-payment. |
|
Underground Storage Tank Licenses
You must pay an annual fee for owning and operating and underground storage tank.
License fees are based on tank capacity.
Learn more about underground storage tanks in the eStop Business License Guide or from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
| Tank Cpacity | Fee per Tank |
|---|---|
| Up to 1,110 gallons | $36 |
| Over 1,110 gallons | $108 |
Off-Premises Beer and Wine Licenses
Learn more about retail beer and wine licenses on Off-Premises Retail Sales Licenses.
Tobacco, Alternative Nicotine, or Vapor Product Licenses
Learn more about cigarette, tobacco, and other nicotine product licenses on Tobacco and Nicotine Licenses.
eStop Board of Review
The Department of Revenue administers eStop, but it is made possible by the combined effort of the
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Labor and Industry
- Department of Environmental Quality
- Department of Livestock
- Department of Justice
- Department of Public Health and Human Services
- The Montana Lottery.
The directors of these agencies and two representatives appointed by the legislature make up the eStop Licensing Board of Review. The board sets policy direction for the program. (30-16-302, MCA)
