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Permits

Coffee and cart permits in Stillwater County, MT

Stillwater County is a small, mostly rural Montana market for a new coffee business. Around 4 coffee and snack bars already operate here, alongside roughly 12 restaurants, so a light competition market. Below is who issues permits in Stillwater County and the steps to open a coffee shop, cart, or trailer.

Local market in Stillwater County, MT

A broad read on the county around your shop, so you can size up demand before you commit.

County population9,182Small marketLoyal regulars matter most here. 2024 estimate.
Median household income$81,392about the U.S. median household income, 2025 estimate.

These are county figures, so read them as a broad signal. Data from DataUSA (U.S. Census ACS and County Health Rankings).

We do not have a direct department link for Stillwater County yet. Contact the Stillwater County environmental health division for food and mobile vending permits. The steps below still apply.

Statewide rules in Montana

In Montana, retail food establishment licenses, including for mobile food units, run through the Dept. of Public Health and Human Services Environmental Health and Food Safety program, with plan reviews and inspections by local county sanitarians; Montana has no state sales tax.

Food & vending permits
Montana DPHHS Environmental Health and Food Safety, food establishment and mobile unit licensing
Sales tax
State sales tax, Montana has no state sales tax.
Food safety cards
No statewide food handler card; a Certified Food Protection Manager is recommended and many county sanitarians require one before issuing a license.

Official links, last verified July 14, 2026. Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees before you apply.

What you need to open

A common order to work through. Filter the cards below by your setup to see just the lines that apply.

  1. 1Food safetyFood handler and manager cards
  2. 2Business licenseRegister your business locally
  3. 3CityLocal permits and zoning
  4. 4StateSeller's permit and sales tax

Every setup

  1. Food handler and manager cards

    You and your staff carry food handler cards, and at least one manager usually holds a food safety manager certificate.

  2. Business license and registration

    Register your business, then get a city or county business license for where you operate.

  3. Seller's permit and state tax

    Register for a seller's permit and a state tax account so you can collect and send in sales tax.

Depends on your setup

  1. County health permit

    A fixed kiosk or cafe applies to the Stillwater County health department for a retail food facility permit covering the space where drinks and food are prepared.

    KioskCafe

  2. Mobile food facility permit

    Serving from a cart, trailer, or truck means a mobile food facility permit, often with a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.

    Coffee cartTrailerPop-upFood truckCatering

  3. Temporary food facility permit

    Selling at farmers markets, festivals, and other events for a set number of dates usually needs a temporary food facility permit.

    TrailerPop-upFood truckCatering

  4. Fire and building sign off

    A storefront build out needs zoning and building sign off before you open. A food truck that runs propane or a generator may also need a fire safety inspection.

    KioskFood truckCafe

Requirements vary by city and change over time.
Confirm the current steps and fees with the department before you apply.

Common questions about Stillwater County permits

Do I need a permit to sell coffee in Stillwater County?
Yes. Any coffee shop, cart, or trailer serving drinks or food in Stillwater County needs a food permit, plus any state registrations that apply and a local business license. Carts, trailers, and trucks are permitted as mobile food units and usually need a commissary or commercial kitchen agreement.
Who issues food and mobile vending permits in Stillwater County?
In Montana, retail food establishment licenses, including for mobile food units, run through the Dept. of Public Health and Human Services Environmental Health and Food Safety program, with plan reviews and inspections by local county sanitarians; Montana has no state sales tax. Confirm which office covers Stillwater County before you apply.
How many coffee shops are in Stillwater County?
About 4 coffee and snack bars operate in Stillwater County, alongside roughly 12 restaurants (2022 Census County Business Patterns). With about 9,182 residents, that is roughly one coffee or snack bar per 2,296 people.
Do I need a food handler card in Stillwater County?
Yes. No statewide food handler card; a Certified Food Protection Manager is recommended and many county sanitarians require one before issuing a license.
How much does a coffee shop or cart permit cost in Stillwater County?
Fees vary by permit type and are set by the issuing agency. Food facility and mobile unit permits commonly run from about $100 to several hundred dollars a year and a local business license. Confirm current fees with the department before you apply.

Get the full plan for your shop

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Show all 8 ZIP codes in Stillwater County

Find yours to confirm the exact jurisdiction before you apply.

  • 59001
  • 59019
  • 59028
  • 59057
  • 59061
  • 59063
  • 59067
  • 59069