- Home occupation permit required:
- Yes
- Details:
- Yellowstone County requires home occupation permit for home-based businesses in residential zones. Billings city has its own cottage food operations rules distinct from county. County zoning defines home occupation as accessory activity — no non-resident employees, conducted entirely within dwelling, no visible signage, no external evidence of business. Billings-area zoning (various Planning and Zoning Districts) governs properties in the county.
- Home kitchen:
- Standard cottage food (§50-50-116): local health authority registration required, labeling required, no consignment sales through retail/wholesale establishments. Montana Local Food Choice Act (§§50-49-201 et seq.): no licensing/inspection for direct producer-to-consumer sales of virtually any homemade food including potentially hazardous foods. No sales cap under either track. All sales must be in-state.
Last verified 2026-05-05. Not legal advice.
