Food Truck Inspection Requirements in Great Falls, MT: Your 2026 Cascade County Guide

Great Falls is Montana’s third-largest city and has a developing food truck market with less competition than Bozeman or Missoula but growing opportunity. The presence of Great Falls Air Force Base, outdoor recreation draw, and a supportive local business community create steady potential for mobile food vendors. Getting licensed in Great Falls is straightforward if you work with the Cascade County Health Department, understand local zoning requirements, and meet fire safety standards. This guide covers everything you need to pass your inspections and start operating legally in the city.

If you’re planning a food truck in Great Falls, you’ll work with Cascade County Health Department, the City of Great Falls Planning Division, and Great Falls Fire Marshal. The process is similar to Billings with no separate city mobile vending license. Great Falls offers lower commissary costs and less regulatory complexity than Bozeman or Missoula, making it an attractive entry point for new operators.

Overview: How Great Falls’ Food Truck Licensing Works

Recent Montana Builds

Real rigs we have built and delivered to Montana operators.

16ft Burger Food Truck

Bozeman, MT

Read the video transcript: Bozeman Burger

Hello and welcome to Design Food Trucks. Today we have this beautiful 16 ft food truck that we are shipping out to Montana. Let's check out its many features. We start on the inside today just because the outside is a little chilly. Right up here is the plumbing unit that has the three compartment sink, hand wash sink, the water tanks, and the water heater. You'll notice that um wherever there is a gap, we have filled that in with coke. Make sure that water does not get in between. Also, there is a splash guard between the handwash sink and the three compartment sink. Of course, there's a shelf on top. Soap dispenser, towel dispenser, refrigerator. All equipment of course are mounted to the floor with washers and all equipment stay six in above the ground to make sure they're compliant with code. So you can put a broom underneath or like a mop underneath and clean it. Right next to that is a freezer. Small work table. Another table that is the freshwater tank that you're looking at. goes the ABC fire extinguisher. That's the K series fire extinguisher. That is the egress in this food truck. Right up there is the junction box. As with all our trucks, every piece of equipment has its own breaker. It's not been labeled yet, but it will be soon. Fire suppression system is of course labeled and tagged. You'll notice all the is inside conduits, not inside the walls areas that um the walls of the truck, they flex when they drive and uh chafe it. This of course prevents that. Plus, it's easy to access that as well. Sandwich prep. Oh, before that, the generator door turned a box which we make into a workt. Nice work table. So, we can do all your prep there if you want to. Floor is aluminum diamond plate. Sandwich prep, steam table. This one's electric. Under that is the chef base, two fryers, each of them, two basket, and a griddle. It's not just a griddle. There's a it's a range. So, there is the oven right under that. Of course, a two on a stove. You'll see all the walls are stainless steel and uh and inside the walls is 1 in of insulation, 9/16 in of uh plywood. Forgot to show you this one. This is the uh self-closing window. You lift up the product and close by itself. Let's go see outside. And this, of course, started out as a 16 ft Freightlininer diesel truck. There's a shelf, outside shelf for the service window. Let's have you fill the water. The outside access door. Truck's not been wrapped yet, but it will be. customer decided to do that themselves. Uh so we'll ship it and uh they will wrap it themselves. That of course is the generator which you'll notice is in a nice tray. That's the shore power plugin. Of course, you'll notice the hood on top. Sorry, hood fan on top. Look at that. beautiful 16 ft food truck that we are shipping out. If you have any questions or if you would like one like this yourself, do contact us through our website designuttrros.com. Thank you. Have a nice day.

16-foot custom burger food truck built for a Bozeman operator.

12ft Funnel Cake Trailer

Billings, MT

Read the video transcript: Billings Funnel Cake

Hello and welcome to Zan Food Trucks. Check out this cute little doughut and ice cream trailer that we are shipping off to Montana today. This one is of course for this organization. Um, and it is 12 ft long. It's small, but it has all kinds of features. Let's go check it out. Outside of course is the you can see our seamless construction, which means you would not see any rivets on the outside. makes the trailer a lot longlasting and uh well the wrap doesn't bubble around it so the wrap lasts a lot longer as well. Of course uh you can't forget the wrap on the outside. Check out the clarity on this. Let me show you the the features. You can actually see each of the grains of the wheat. Something we are very very proud of. Of course, also outside are two LED lights. Well, four of them in two sets. outside shelf and the um serving window which is of course self-closing. That is how it do it look when it is in operation. On this side of course that's how you drain the water. That's how you fill the water and that's the shore power connection. This has a donut fryer inside. Therefore has propane tanks. And you can see the propane going under the floor of the trailer. Very important. Um it is required by code in many places also. Um it's much safer 10 years from today if it leaks it leaks outside. Giant bowls you see are holding up the fire suppression system. Of course like all trailers that we built the this is also double axle heavy duty of course. You can see the that was the exhaust fan with the grease catch pan of course. Let's go inside. To prevent the doors from fluttering around, there is a little catch there. Floor is aluminum diamond plate. Cooking wall of course is stainless. You can see the large doughut fryer up there. This was supplied by the customer. And the ice cream machine. little ice cream machine, but works really well for them. Three compartment sink, hand wash sink. Hand wash sink of course has a splash guard. They haven't labeled the um the breakers yet, but we will of course before shipping. And you can see every single piece of equipment has its own breaker, soap dispenser, towel dispenser, and the fire suppression system is of course um you can see has tags. Between every panel there is a um there is a trim piece to prevent grease from going inside and whatnot. The hood of course slightly oversized. idea is that tomorrow they might want to add another piece of equipment. So we picked a rather large cylinder for this richen freezer and refrigerator. Both will open completely of course. And uh here is one of the highlights of our construction. Every all our wiring is inside conduits. This way, this trailer lasts for as long as it needs, 20, 25, 30 years. If we we were to put it inside the walls, the wires would eventually chafe due to the motion of the trailer and you would develop short circuits. You also see how every piece of equipment has its own breaker. That brings us to the end of Oh, before that, let me show you this thing. You see how every piece of equipment is bolted to the floor with washers. If you have any questions um or if you would like a trailer or truck like this, please do contact us through zonfuttras.com. Thank you. Have a nice one.

12-foot funnel cake trailer built for a Billings operator.

Great Falls’ licensing process involves three main agencies, and the sequence is straightforward:

Cascade County Health Department (City-County Health Department): Issues your Retail Food Establishment (RFE) license, conducts plan review, and schedules health inspections
City of Great Falls Planning Division: Issues Home Occupation Permits if you operate from your home, handles zoning verification, may require permit for temporary operations at private locations
Great Falls Fire Marshal: Inspects propane systems and fire suppression equipment

Start with Cascade County Health Department for plan review and licensing. Once you have their approval, coordinate with fire marshal for propane inspection and with City Planning if your location requires home occupation or temporary use permits.

Permits and Licenses Required for Great Falls Food Trucks

1. Retail Food Establishment (RFE) License from Cascade County Health Department

Your core license, issued by Cascade County Health Department. Under Montana Code Annotated 50-50-205 MCA, the fee structure is:

Mobile Retail Food Establishments (0-5 employees): $85/year
Mobile Retail Food Establishments (6 or more employees): $115/year
Plan review (one-time): $115 for new food trucks

Cascade County Health Department typically processes plan reviews in 2-3 weeks during off-season and 3-4 weeks during peak season. They’re professional and straightforward, though processing can take longer during their busy periods. Submit your complete application early to avoid delays.

2. Home Occupation Permit (If Operating From Your Home)

If you park and operate your food truck at your home residence and conduct business from your home, the City of Great Falls may require a Home Occupation Permit:

Home Occupation Permit fee: $100-$150 (exact fee varies by type of operation)
Approval process: 1-2 weeks

You should also check with Cascade County Planning if your home is in unincorporated county territory. Requirements vary based on zoning and property use. Contact City Planning at (406) 771-3000 or County Planning for your specific location.

3. Zoning Verification

The City of Great Falls will verify that your operating location allows mobile food vending. Most commercial and business-zoned locations are acceptable. Some residential or restricted zones may have limitations. City Planning can provide zoning verification at no charge.

4. Fire Safety Permit (Great Falls Fire Marshal)

If your food truck uses propane, Great Falls Fire Marshal will conduct a propane system inspection. Fire inspection is typically free. Your hood suppression system inspection must be done by a third-party inspector (typically $200-$400).

5. Commissary Kitchen Agreement

Cascade County Health Department requires a signed commissary kitchen agreement before scheduling an inspection. A Great Falls-area commissary must provide potable water, greywater disposal, food storage, and cleaning facilities.

6. Food Safety Manager Certification

Cascade County Health Department requires at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff before your license is issued. Options include ServSafe Manager ($50-$100), National Registry ($80), or Prometric ($100). Great Falls has testing slots available through local providers.

7. Montana Sales Tax Registration

Free registration with the Montana Department of Revenue for sales tax collection. Takes 10 minutes online at revenue.mt.gov.

Estimated First-Year Costs for Great Falls Food Truck Operation

Great Falls has the lowest licensing costs among Montana’s major cities, with reasonable commissary pricing and no city mobile vending license. Here’s a realistic breakdown:

Cascade County Health Department RFE license and plan review: $200 (0-5 employees)
Home Occupation Permit (if applicable): $100-$150
Food Safety Manager certification: $50-$100
Fire inspection (third-party hood certification): $200-$400
Commissary kitchen rental: $250-$400/month ($3,000-$4,800/year)
General liability insurance: $1,800-$4,200/year
Total estimated first-year costs: $5,600-$9,850 (excluding truck purchase)

Great Falls offers the most economical licensing and commissary costs among Montana’s major food truck markets, making it an attractive option for new operators with limited startup capital.

Fire Safety Inspection: What Great Falls Fire Marshal Looks For

Great Falls Fire Marshal will inspect all propane-fueled food trucks. The inspection process is generally straightforward if you have third-party hood suppression system certification already in place.

Propane System Requirements

Great Falls Fire Marshal will verify:

Tank mounting and security: Propane tank must be securely mounted outside the food service area, protected from impact and tampering
Shutoff valve signage: Must display 2-inch letters on contrasting background. Red and white is standard (“PROPANE” or “FUEL SHUTOFF”)
Propane detector: If your truck has both propane and electrical systems, you must install a listed propane detector
Leak test: Fire marshal will test all connections using soapy water or electronic detection. Any leak requires repairs and re-inspection
Clearance verification: 10 feet minimum from propane system to ignition sources or combustible materials

Great Falls Fire Marshal is professional and reasonable. Most failures stem from missing or inadequate shutoff valve signage, so ensure this is clearly marked before your inspection.

Hood Ventilation and Fire Suppression

Your hood and suppression system must be certified by a third party before you submit to Cascade County Health Department. Great Falls Fire Marshal will verify:

Hood installation: Type 1 commercial hood made of stainless steel, properly sloped, installed above all grease-producing cooking equipment
Exhaust duct: Non-combustible material, properly sized and sloped toward grease trap
UL-300 wet chemical suppression system: ANSUL or equivalent, with nozzles pointing at cooking equipment. System must have current inspection tag
Fire extinguishers: At minimum one Class K and one ABC, both immediately accessible

Great Falls Fire Marshal typically approves systems that are properly certified upfront. Have your third-party inspection tag and certification documentation ready for inspection.

Read the video transcript: Fire Suppression / Denver French Truck

Hello and welcome design food trucks. Today we have another exciting project uh leading us. This one is of course going to be here in Denver and it's going to make um gourmet sandwiches. It is 18 ft long and it has a few tricks up its sleeve. Let's look outside and see its uh exterior and then go inside. goes on the outside. What catches your eye would be the the French themed um wrap on the outside. Very beautiful if I may say so. Um very tasteful. Ties all the sandwich theme together. Um that of course is the awning for the 5-ft window. Self-closing obviously as is required by code. The two exterior lights. You can also see the air conditioner on top. The air conditioner also has a heat pump. That is how you would fill water into the fresh water tank. That is how you drain water from the gray water tank. On the back you would see the RV door as we call it. Um basically the code does not allow the the kind of um roll uh the rollup shutter the rollup door that is not up to code which is why we have to do this. I apologize for the road noise. The truck is parked for delivery. So um that is how you would drain the black water tank. This truck has a bathroom inside. So that's how you would train it. Of course that's the shore power connection the generator box of course which is as you can see lockable. It opens up and uh exposes the generator. That obviously is how the that is how the um that's actually where the um propane tank is. We call them underbelly tanks. you don't like them hanging out in the back of the truck. Um, it's a a fire risk in case if it's a rear ended or whatever. Now, let's go inside and see its many features. This truck, as with others that we build, has two doors, one in the back, one in the front. Code requires that any space a human occupies um must have a ingress and an ingress. This is the ingress, of course. Uh, right in front is the refrigerator. And right here is a range. And the range has a griddle and two burners. And the oven, of course, which is why it's a range. Um, the hood, as you can see, slightly oversized. This is because we believe that this customer might add more equipment as they go, you know, as they go about their business. the menu might change. Um maybe they will want soups or something else. Um which is why we left a little bit of space here and a larger hood. Talking about sandwiches, that's what we're going to be making the sandwiches on. This is a sandwich prep table, a refrigerated sandwich prep table. A freezer right there. The freezer is actually resting on a generator box. So you saw that door on the outside. Um, this is the generator box for it. Right there is a little freshwater tank and uh what it is for um is the toilet. This um truck has a restroom inside for the customer's personal use. Not really open to the public, but it is there. Now, you cannot have um obviously the other plumbing is on this side. Um so you cannot have these uh connecting together. What I mean is so the bathroom the water from the bathroom cannot at any point interact with the water um for the you know hand washing or or bear washing which is why it has completely different systems, different setups. So freshwater tank for the bathroom. There's a little water heater behind it. Of course it has its own water pump. And right there is the bathroom toilet, hand wash sink. Of course, hand wash sink also has hot water. This is the the pull tab for the uh fire extinguisher. On this side you would see a larger water heater and this is required because um of the area where this truck is going to be operating in. Food trucks as you know are regulated by um by county code at least for now. The wiring you would see just like with all our trucks um every piece of equipment has its own breaker. They're all home run so to speak. water heater, mop sink, hand wash sink, three compartment sink, and the um the service window. The service window as always is self-closing. So, you lift up, pass your product, and it closes by itself. The controller for the air conditioner, which is right here. lights. Of course, this truck has an all stainless construction and uh inside the walls is 1 in of insulation, 9/16 in of plywood. The floor is aluminum diamond plate and uh addition of the insulation makes it a very comfortable place to work in. If you have any questions or if you would like a food truck like this uh built for yourself, please do contact us through our website zfotrs.com or our phone number 7209-2653. Thank you. Have a nice day.

See a Zion Food Truck Fire Suppression System in Action

Health Department Inspection: Cascade County Health Department Requirements

Cascade County Health Department will conduct a pre-opening inspection after plan review approval. The inspector will verify:

Dedicated handwashing station: Separate from food prep and dishwashing, with hot/cold water, soap, and paper towels
Temperature control: Refrigeration maintains food at 41 degrees F or below; hot holding at 135 degrees F or above
Three-compartment sink: For washing, rinsing, and sanitizing dishes and utensils
Food prep sink: For washing produce and preparing food
Food storage: Raw proteins stored below ready-to-eat foods; all food at least 6 inches off floor
Commissary agreement: Cascade County Health Department verifies the kitchen is licensed and approved
Wastewater system: Greywater tank at least 15% larger than fresh water tank; no ground dumping
Certified Food Protection Manager: Proof that at least one staff member holds current certification

Cascade County Health Department inspectors are professional and fair. They enforce Montana’s food safety standards strictly but will work with you to address any issues that come up during inspection. Plan your truck design carefully and you’ll likely pass on your first try.

The Commissary Kitchen Requirement in Great Falls

Cascade County Health Department requires a signed commissary kitchen agreement before issuing your license. A Great Falls-area commissary must provide:

Potable water connection for filling your fresh water tank
Greywater disposal connection for emptying your holding tank
Food storage (refrigeration and dry storage)
Food preparation surfaces and equipment
Three-compartment sink for dishwashing
Proof of commercial kitchen license and public health approval

Great Falls has several commercial kitchens available for food truck use at reasonable rates. Rental costs typically range from $250-$400/month, which is the lowest among Montana’s major food truck markets. Availability is generally good. Cascade County Health Department can provide a list of approved commissaries.

Can You Avoid Daily Commissary Visits in Great Falls?

Yes, if your food truck is fully self-contained. Cascade County Health Department will grant a waiver from daily commissary reporting if your truck includes:

Mop sink
Food prep sink
Three-compartment sink
Adequate refrigeration
Adequate cooking equipment for your full menu

Even self-contained trucks still need a commissary agreement on file. The decision on whether your truck qualifies is made during plan review. A fully-equipped truck reduces commissary dependency and lowers ongoing operational costs.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Great Falls Food Truck Licensed

Contact Cascade County Health Department for plan review application. Call (406) 454-6950 or visit cascadecountymt.gov. Ask for the Mobile Food Establishment (MFE) plan review application packet and list of required documents.
Secure your commissary kitchen agreement. Find a licensed commercial kitchen and get a signed, dated agreement. Cascade County Health Department can provide a list of approved commissaries. Have the kitchen’s license number and contact information ready.
Build or design your food truck to Montana standards. Work with a manufacturer familiar with NFPA 96 requirements, DPHHS food truck standards, and Cascade County Health Department’s specific expectations. Include proper hood, suppression system, sinks, and refrigeration in your initial design.
Have your hood and suppression system certified by a third party. Contact a fire protection company to install and certify your UL-300 suppression system. This must be done and tagged before plan review submission. Expect $3,000-$7,000 for system installation and certification. Get a copy of the inspection tag.
Prepare and submit your plan review package to Cascade County Health Department. Include: floor plan with all equipment labeled, plumbing schematic with tank sizes, ventilation specification, commissary kitchen agreement, food safety manager certification (or study plan), menu with cooking temperatures, and HACCP plan if applicable. Include $115 plan review fee.
Wait for Cascade County Health Department’s plan review approval. This typically takes 2-3 weeks in off-season, 3-4 weeks during peak season. Cascade County Health Department may request clarifications. Respond promptly.
Verify your operating location’s zoning and permits. Contact City of Great Falls Planning at (406) 771-3000 to verify that your location allows mobile food vending. If you operate from your home, apply for a Home Occupation Permit ($100-$150).
Schedule your fire inspection with Great Falls Fire Marshal. Contact Great Falls Fire Marshal after Cascade County Health Department approves your plan review to schedule propane system and hood suppression inspection. Fire marshal will verify tank mounting, shutoff signage, propane detector, and suppression system installation.
Pass fire inspection. If fire marshal finds any issues, correct them and schedule a reinspection. Most issues are minor if you’ve already had third-party suppression system certification.
Schedule your Cascade County Health Department pre-opening inspection. Once fire inspection passes, call (406) 454-6950 to schedule your health inspection. Inspector will verify all equipment is installed as planned, temperature control works, handwashing station is functional, and commissary agreement is current.
Pass health inspection. Correct any items that fail and request a reinspection if needed. Minor corrections usually don’t require a reinspection fee.
Register for Montana sales tax. Complete your free registration at revenue.mt.gov.
Receive your license and begin operating. Once all inspections pass and fees are paid, Cascade County Health Department will issue your RFE license. You’re now legal to operate in Great Falls.

The entire process typically takes 5-9 weeks from initial application to licenses in hand, assuming you have all documents ready and respond promptly to Cascade County Health Department requests. Peak season (May-August) can extend this to 8-10 weeks.

Common Reasons Food Trucks Fail Great Falls Inspections

Based on Cascade County Health Department and Great Falls Fire Marshal inspection data, these are the most common failure reasons:

Propane shutoff signage missing or inadequate: Must be clearly visible and properly marked. This is the most common fire inspection issue
Fire suppression system not certified before plan review: System must have third-party inspection tag and documentation before submitting to Cascade County Health Department
Missing dedicated handwashing sink: Must be separate and independent from food prep and dishwashing
Commissary kitchen agreement missing or from unapproved facility: Cascade County Health Department verifies the kitchen is licensed and approved. Using an unapproved kitchen is an automatic failure
Hood not properly sealed or installed: Hood must be sealed at all joints, properly sloped toward grease trap, and installed per manufacturer specifications
Inadequate cold storage or temperature control: Refrigeration must reliably maintain 41 degrees F. Thermometers must show actual temperatures during inspection
No Certified Food Protection Manager on staff: You must have proof of current CFPM certification before health inspection
Greywater system inadequate: Tank must be at least 15% larger than fresh water tank. Dumping on ground is an automatic failure

Most failures are preventable through careful planning and using a manufacturer who understands Cascade County standards. Get your suppression system certified upfront and you’ll pass fire inspection. Have complete commissary documentation and you’ll pass health inspection.

Great Falls’ Food Truck Scene and Operating Context

Great Falls has fewer food trucks than Bozeman or Missoula, which means less competition but also a smaller established food truck community. However, opportunities exist due to the military presence and outdoor recreation draw. Popular operating locations include:

Downtown Great Falls: Good lunch foot traffic from office workers and business district employees
Near Great Falls Air Force Base: Strong demand from military personnel and contractor workers
Parks and recreation areas: Good foot traffic during warm months, especially near the Missouri River and outdoor recreation spots
Special events and festivals: Various community events throughout the year, including farmer’s markets and outdoor concerts
Parking lots and private property: Commercial property owners sometimes welcome food trucks

Great Falls has a military community presence and strong outdoor recreation culture, which creates steady demand for casual food service. The city is growing and becoming more food-focused, with new breweries and restaurants opening regularly.

Peak season in Great Falls is May through September. October and April are moderate. November through March is slower but still viable, especially near the military base and for office park lunch service.

Great Falls Food Truck Official Resources and Contact Information

Cascade County Health Department (City-County Health Department) oversees all mobile food vendor licensing in Great Falls. Cascade County Health Department handles plan review, health inspections, and food safety permits for all food trucks operating in Cascade County.

Address: 115 4th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59401
Phone: (406) 454-6950
Email: health@cascadecountymt.gov
Website: cascadecountymt.gov

Cascade County Health Department’s Environmental Health division handles all mobile food establishment applications and inspections. They can provide you with a list of approved commissaries and answer questions about Great Falls food truck requirements. Response times are typically 24-48 hours during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

The City of Great Falls Planning Division handles zoning verification and Home Occupation Permits.

Phone: (406) 771-3000
Website: greatfallsmt.gov

The Great Falls Fire Marshal conducts propane and fire suppression system inspections. Contact them after Cascade County Health Department approves your plan review.

Phone: (406) 727-8386

How Zion Foodtrucks Can Help You Get Licensed in Great Falls

We’ve been building food trucks in Woodland Park, Colorado since 2018, and we understand Cascade County Health Department standards, Great Falls Fire Marshal requirements, and the specific equipment layout expectations that lead to passing your first inspection.

If you’re building a new food truck for Great Falls operation, we can design and build it to meet Cascade County Health Department requirements, including proper hood ventilation, UL-300 fire suppression certification ready for third-party inspection, dual sinks for handwashing and food prep, a full three-compartment sink for dishwashing, adequate refrigeration, and all necessary greywater management. Our trucks are built to pass Cascade County inspection the first time.

We’re located in Woodland Park, Colorado, about 12-13 hours from Great Falls via I-25 and I-90. We’ve delivered completed food trucks to Great Falls operators and understand the commissary market and seasonal operating environment. If you want a professionally-built truck that meets Cascade County standards and is ready for the Great Falls market, call us at (719) 722-2537 or email info@milehighfoodtrucks.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About Great Falls Food Truck Permits

How much does a Great Falls food truck license cost?

License costs in Great Falls total $400-$650 for your first year, plus commissary rental and Home Occupation Permit if applicable. This includes Cascade County Health Department RFE license and plan review ($200), Home Occupation Permit if needed ($100-$150), fire inspection (usually free), and food safety manager certification ($50-$100). Commissary rental adds $250-$400/month, the lowest among Montana’s major cities.

How long does it take to get licensed in Great Falls?

The process typically takes 5-9 weeks from initial application to receiving your licenses, assuming you have all documents ready upfront. During peak season (May-August), it can take 8-10 weeks. Most delays come from incomplete commissary agreements or slow responses to Cascade County Health Department requests.

Do I need a separate city mobile vending license in Great Falls?

No. Great Falls does not require a separate city mobile vending license. You only need Cascade County Health Department’s RFE license, fire inspection, and a Home Occupation Permit if you operate from your home. This simplifies the process compared to Bozeman or Missoula.

What is a Home Occupation Permit in Great Falls?

If you park and operate your food truck from your home residence, the City of Great Falls may require a Home Occupation Permit ($100-$150). It’s a simple approval process. If you operate from a commercial location, you don’t need it. Contact City Planning at (406) 771-3000 for your specific situation.

Do I need a commissary kitchen in Great Falls?

Yes. Cascade County Health Department requires a signed commissary kitchen agreement before issuing your license. You can’t operate without one, though you may qualify for a waiver that reduces how often you need to use it if your truck is fully self-contained.

What is the Great Falls commissary situation?

Great Falls has a healthy commissary market with several commercial kitchens available for food truck use. Rental costs typically range from $250-$400/month, which is the lowest among Montana’s major cities. Availability is generally good. Cascade County Health Department can provide a list of approved commissaries.

What fires a food truck during Great Falls Fire Marshal inspection?

Most common fire failures are: missing or inadequate propane shutoff signage, fire suppression system not certified before inspection, nozzles pointing the wrong direction, and propane leak test failures. Get your suppression system certified upfront and you’ll likely pass fire inspection.

What fires a food truck during Cascade County Health Department inspection?

Most common health failures are: missing dedicated handwashing sink, commissary agreement from unapproved kitchen, hood not properly sealed, inadequate cold storage temperature control, and missing or expired Certified Food Protection Manager certification. Many of these are design issues solvable during truck construction.

Related Great Falls and Montana Food Truck Guides

For broader Montana food truck guidance, check out our statewide permit guide:

Food Truck Permits in Montana: Complete 2026 Guide

Explore inspection requirements in other Montana cities:

Food Truck Inspection Requirements in Bozeman, MT: The 2026 Gallatin County Guide
Food Truck Inspection Requirements in Missoula, MT: Your 2026 Permitting Guide
Food Truck Inspection Requirements in Billings, MT: The 2026 Yellowstone County Guide

Ready to build your truck?

We design and build custom food trucks and trailers compliant with the regulations on this page. From a single phone call to keys-in-hand in 6 to 8 weeks for most builds.

Get a Free Quote Call 719-722-2537

Built in Woodland Park, Colorado. Delivered to operators in CO, AZ, NE, MT, and WY.