I formed a Montana LLC last year for my consulting work, which I run from a spare room in my house. Now I'm seeing stuff about home occupation permits and wondering if my LLC needs a separate permit beyond the business registration. I'm in Missoula if that matters. Has anyone dealt with this? I don't want to get blindsided by a fine.
LLC Permits
Does a Montana LLC need a separate permit for a home-based business?
My LLC is registered with the the Secretary of State but I never got a separate home business permit. I think it depends on your city/county zoning. Missoula might have its own rules though.
There's no statewide permit for a home-based business in Montana. The LLC registration is separate from local zoning. You'd need to check Missoula County regulations for home occupations. They might require a conditional use permit if you have employees or client traffic.
Call the city planning office. I'm in Billings and and had to get a home occupation permit through the city, even though my LLC was already set up. It was pretty straightforward but they do enforce it.
Thanks, PlainsSider. I'll give the Missoula planning office a call. Did you need any special paperwork or inspections for the home occupation permit?
For Missoula specifically, I recall they have a home occupation permit application and it depends on the zone. If youre in a residential zone, they limit signage and number of employees. Might be worth downloading their zoning code section.
Also, if you're just consulting and no clients come to your house, some places don't require a permit. But it's safer to ask.
No inspections for mine, just a form and a fee. But Billings might be different from Missoula. They did ask about parking and square footage used for the business.
I appreciate the info. I'll call the planning office tomorrow and see what they say. I don't have employees or client visits, so maybe it's simpler.
Let us know what they tell you. I'd be curious if they try to push a permit even for a low-impact home office.