Mobile Retail Food Establishments

A mobile retail food establishment can be anything from an ice cream cart to a full-service food truck. Because mobiles vary so much, there is not one specific list of equipment or requirements that apply to all mobiles. Additionally, some mobiles may rely on a commissary kitchen for food preparation, warewashing, etc., and others are fully independent. Below are some basic guidelines for mobiles:

• All equipment must be intended for commercial use.
• There must be adequate mechanical refrigeration and/or freezer space.
• The floors, walls, and ceilings of the mobile must be smooth, durable, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable.
• The mobile must have sanitizer for food-contact surfaces, such as quaternary ammonium or bleach.
• Type 1 or 2 hoods may be required over cooking equipment.
• At least one hand sink is required, unless only selling unopened commercially prepackaged food.
• A dedicated air-gapped prep sink may be required for washing produce, thawing, or rinsing food.
• A 3-compartment sink is required if any warewashing is needed, even if a dishwasher is provided.
• The water supply and wastewater systems must be approved. This may require a septic review or water supply.
• A bathroom must be available for food service employees, either through an on-board bathroom, a bathroom agreement with a nearby business, or with bathroom access along the route of the mobile.
• At least one Certified Food Protection Manager is required per mobile. This requirement may be waived if only selling beverages or commercially prepackaged food.

Create a defined plan for your food service and gather all required documents. Review the Plan Review Application and the list of required documents.

Submit your plan review packet and pay the plan review fee. The base review fee is $285. Additional fees may apply if your plan review includes reviews for dumping wastewater on septic systems, filling freshwater from private wells, HACCP plans, or catering plans. 

Remember that Missoula Public Health is just one agency that has regulations that apply to mobiles. There may be zoning restrictions, fire inspections, business licensing, and other regulations you are required to follow.

To avoid expensive mistakes or delays, do not start building, remodeling, or purchasing equipment until you have approval from Missoula Public Health and other applicable agencies.

Respond to questions and comments from your reviewer. Once your plans are approved, your reviewer will email your approval letter to you. Our goal is to complete reviews within 30-60 days of submittal.

Schedule a pre-operational health inspection. After you receive your approval letter and your project is complete, contact your reviewer to conduct a pre-operational health inspection. This inspection should take place after your fire inspection has been passed, if applicable.  

At the end of a successful inspection, your reviewer will issue your health license and collect the annual licensing fee. An additional inspection and fee will be required if work is not completed at time of inspection.

A commissary kitchen is a licensed kitchen that a mobile uses for operational support. A mobile may need the additional facilities in a commissary kitchen to wash dishes, wash produce, cook food, store extra food, and more. Some kitchens advertise themselves as commissary kitchens, but any licensed food establishment can be used as a commissary kitchen as long as it has the appropriate equipment and space. The mobile must have a system to make sure the mobile’s food and preparation is kept separate from other kitchen users, such as a designated time slot or space.

Mobile retail food licenses are tied to the mobile’s owner and physical vehicle. If the owner or the vehicle changes, a new mobile retail food license is required, and plan review must be submitted to Missoula Public Health. Licenses cannot be transferred. See “How to get a new mobile retail food license” above for a step-by-step guide of this process.

Out-of-County

If you have a mobile that is licensed through another county in Montana, you do not need to re-license through Missoula Public Health to visit and vend in Missoula County. However, if you are permanently moving to Missoula County, re-licensing may be required. Contact Us for more information.

The City of Missoula requires vendors to get an Itinerant Vendor License (a type of business license) to vend within city limits. 

Out-of-State

If you have a mobile that is licensed in a different state, you will need to get a Temporary Food Service permit or license in Montana before you vend.

If you plan to vend within city limits, the City of Missoula requires vendors to get an Itinerant Vendor License (a type of business license). 

Licenses expire December 31st every year. To avoid late fees and license deactivation, you must pay for your license renewal on or before December 31st. License fees for renewals are collected directly by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Safety (DPHHS).

Follow the instructions on the Montana DPHHS License Renewal website to pay for your renewal.

Phone numbers, email addresses, and your mailing address can be updated directly on the Montana DPHHS website: Montana DPHHS Update License Contact Information

Please note that a change in ownership requires a new plan review and license and cannot simply be updated. If you wish to update the establishment address for your mobile, please Contact Us for assistance.

• 2013 FDA Food Code
• MCA Title 50, Chapter 50
• ARM Title 37, Chapter 110, Subchapter 2
• Missoula City-County Health Code, Regulation 4