Restaurant licenses
in Austin, Texas
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a restaurant located in Austin, Texas, that serves food to customers both in-person and online, and employs W-2 staff. It is required to comply with various federal, state, county, and city regulations, particularly regarding health permits and business registrations. Legal structure is not specified in this example; entity formation applies only if that structure is chosen.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- Texas
- County
- Travis County
- City
- City of Austin
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact address of the restaurant to confirm jurisdiction?
- Will the restaurant operate under a name different from the legal LLC name?
- What specific construction or remodeling will be done to the restaurant space?
- Will the restaurant have outdoor seating that requires a permit?
- What type of fire protection systems will be installed?
- What is the timeline for opening the restaurant?
- Confirm the legal structure before using entity-formation instructions or including entity-specific fees in the startup budget.
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; Food-handler training rules; City business license or tax registration; Business personal-property filing or exemption. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 16- 01Food Enterprise Operating Permit (fixed food establishment / restaurant)Austin Public Health, Environmental Health Services · County
The restaurant prepares and serves food on site, and every fixed food establishment operating in Austin or Travis County must hold a Food Enterprise Operating Permit.
RequiredAnnual; permit expires one year from the date issued. - 02Food Enterprise Operating PermitAustin Public Health (APH), Environmental Health Services · Austin
To operate a restaurant (a fixed food establishment) in Austin, you must hold a Food Enterprise Operating Permit; it is issued only after a passing pre-opening inspection and is renewed annually.
RequiredAnnual. Permits expire one year from date issued. - 03Certified Food Manager (CFM) requirementAustin Public Health · Austin
Austin requires at least one Certified Food Manager at the restaurant onsite during all hours of operation, with the certificate posted prominently.
RequiredPer the certification provider's requirements - 04Certificate of Occupancy (CO) / Change of UseAustin Development Services (DSD) · Austin
A commercial restaurant space open to customers must have a Certificate of Occupancy reflecting its restaurant use.
RequiredNone (CO remains with the property until use changes) - 05Grease trap / Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG) compliance (Austin Water)Austin Water · Austin
Restaurants generate fats, oils, and grease in food preparation waste; establishments discharging to the City's sanitary sewer must collect FOG in grease traps.
RequiredOngoing — traps must be pumped at least once every 90 days - 06Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The restaurant sells tangible personal property (food and beverages) at a physical Texas location, which the Comptroller defines as engaged in business selling taxable items.
RequiredNone stated — permit remains valid while actively in business.
This example includes 10 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
Your location, activities, and business structure can change the list. Get a free preview for your business, then decide whether to unlock the full report for $49.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a restaurant in Austin check?
This guide does not establish whether Austin requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a restaurant in Austin?
Most fees vary by item; see report. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Federal employment taxes (income tax withholding, FICA, FUTA) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Certificate of Formation — Limited Liability Company (Form 205) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical restaurant. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.