Business Licenses

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Who Needs a Business License?

Business licenses are required for occupations, professions, enterprises, and establishments which are conducted for private profit, or benefit, on any premises in the City of Bozeman, not exempted by state law or Chapter 12 of the Bozeman Municipal Code.

All new commercial businesses require a fire-safety inspection. Processing time may take 2-4 weeks and once approved, your license will be mailed.

Mobile Vending, Marijuana Licenses, and Short Term Rentals are licensed and permitted separately from the standard business license process.

Additional Information

Before you Open A Business

Exempt from Licensing per BMC 12.02.040

The following are exempt from business license requirements per BMC 12.02.040

No license shall be required of any person or entity for any mere delivery in the city of any property purchased or acquired in good faith from such person or entity as the person or entity's regular place of business outside the city where no intent by such person is shown to exist to evade the provisions this chapter.
No license shall be required of any nonprofit organization as defined by this chapter.
No license shall be required of any person under 18 years of age.
No license shall be required for any property manager managing or renting less than three dwelling units as defined in section 38.42.940 (*This only applies to long term rentals, exceeding 28 days.)
State Licensed Professions are exempt from local business license requirements unless offering other services such as retail sales. Common examples include: Realtors, Medical Professionals, Cosmetologists, Architects, etc.
- This exemption excludes registered contractors

Applying for a new business license

Review the ProjectDox Application Instructions (PDF) or watch the video below for Project Dox instructions:
Complete the appropriate Business License Application via the ProjectDox Portal
Prepare Items for Upload (Prompted via Email after Application Submission):

Home Based Business (within City limits)
- PDF of application (Notification Letter received via email)
- $75 fee
- Acknowledgement Form – signed /uploaded
Commercial Business (within City limits)
- PDF of application (Notification Letter received via email)
- $75 fee
- Owner or Local Manager’s Driver’s License - uploaded
- Schedule Fire-Safety Inspection of commercial location
Daycare
- PDF of application (Notification Letter received via email)
- Copy of DPHHS License - uploaded
- Copy of Owner’s Driver’s License - uploaded
- $0 fee
Plumber or Electrician (All)
- PDF of application (Notification Letter received via email)
- Copy of Unlimited (Electrician) or Master (Plumber) license from State of MT
- Driver’s License
- $0 fee
Out of City Limits based Businesses
- PDF of application (Notification Letter received via email)
- $75 fee
4. Upon approval display your Business License in your place of business. Business licenses are valid for 12 months from the last day of the month that your application was processed.

Renewal Requirements

Standard licenses can renew via C2G portal online ($75 fee). Please click the renewal button at the top of the page.

The following business types must renew in-person or by mail to provide additional documentation:

Plumbers / Electricians
- Current Professional License from State of MT
- Driver’s License
Daycare Centers & Group Home
- DPHHS License
- Driver’s License
Mobile Vending
- Updated liability certificate
- Driver’s License

fire inspection for commercial locations

Is your business moving or changing?

Change in commercial location
- Requires a new license application indicating change in location, $75 fee, and a new fire-safety inspection for the new location.
  *Please note that the Certificate of Occupancy for new Construction does not count toward a safety inspection for business licensing.
Change in address (mailing or physical) for home-based or out-of-city-limits based businesses
- Done via the Business License Change Form in ProjectDox. No fee is required.
Change of ownership
- Done via the Business License Change Form in ProjectDox.
Change in business name
- Done via the Business License Change Form in ProjectDox.
Other Changes or Inquiries please contact us at 406-582-2260, or email businesslicenses@bozeman.net.
For all other Licenses, such as kennel, pet or chicken, please visit the City of Bozeman Finance Department’s License Page.

Applications and Compliance Documents

Business Licenses » Mobile Vending