Business Licensing & Operations in Montana (2026)
10 rules on the books across Montana, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Adult Entertainment
Zoning and licensing rules for adult entertainment establishments under LAMC §12.70, including distance buffers from schools, churches, and residential zones.
Billings
Significant RestrictionsBillings zoning restricts sexually oriented businesses to four commercial/industrial districts and imposes a 1,000-foot…
Read full rule →Yellowstone County
Significant RestrictionsYellowstone County treats sexually oriented businesses, adult arcades, adult book or video stores, adult motels, and…
Read full rule →Massage Establishments
Licensing requirements for massage businesses under LAMC §103.205 and CAMTC certification, including operator background checks and zoning conditions.
Tobacco Retail License
The local license required to sell tobacco and vape products, the conduct rules attached to it, flavored-product bans, self-service and age limits, and the zoning that applies to smoke shops.
Secondhand Dealers
LAMC §21.12 + CA Bus & Prof Code requirements for secondhand dealers, including item-reporting to law enforcement and 30-day holding periods.
Billings
Significant RestrictionsBillings pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers and valuable-article dealers must keep a detailed transaction register open to…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, every secondhand dealer must obtain a license under chapter 12, article 2 before doing…
Read full rule →Pawnbrokers
State and city pawnbroker licensing, item-holding periods, interest-rate caps, and the LAPD-monitored CalGang/CAPSS reporting system.
Billings
Significant RestrictionsBillings pawnbrokers must keep a detailed transaction register, verify seller ID, hold purchased items for ten days…
Read full rule →Bozeman
Significant RestrictionsIn the City of Bozeman, Montana, a pawnbroker needs a chapter 12 license and must hold each purchase for ten days after…
Read full rule →Auto Repair on Residential Property
Whether commercial auto repair is permitted on residential property under LAMC §12.17.3, exemptions for occasional personal repair, and complaint enforcement.
Towing Companies
Permits, fee caps, and notification requirements for tow companies operating in the city, including official police-rotation tow contracts.