Restaurant licenses
in Dallas, 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 Dallas, Texas, that serves food to customers in a physical commercial location and employs W-2 staff. It is subject to federal, state, county, and city regulations, including 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
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact current DBA filing fee?
- What is the City of Dallas food establishment permit fee and renewal cycle?
- Is the restaurant located in the City of Dallas or an unincorporated area?
- What specific fire permits apply to the restaurant's kitchen configuration?
- What is the current Dallas Fire Code fee schedule?
- Is a grease trap permit required for the specific kitchen?
- 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; Food-handler training rules; Food-manager certification and presence rules; City business license or tax registration; Business personal-property filing or exemption; Construction permits for the commercial premises. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 16- 01City of Dallas Food Establishment Permit (restaurant/fixed food facility)City of Dallas Code Compliance, Consumer Health Division · Dallas
The business prepares and serves food to customers at a fixed commercial location; Dallas requires a food establishment permit for restaurants.
RequiredNot published - 02Certificate of Occupancy (CO) for the commercial spaceCity of Dallas Planning & Development · Dallas
A new CO is needed for the first use of a building or a change of use; opening a restaurant in a commercial space triggers this.
RequiredNot applicable - 03Zoning verification / zoning compliance for restaurant useCity of Dallas Planning & Development · Dallas
The location must be zoned to allow a restaurant; an official zoning verification or determination letter is available.
RequiredNot applicable - 04Grease trap / grease interceptor requirement (Dallas Water Utilities)Dallas Water Utilities, Pretreatment Program · Dallas
In Dallas, a grease trap is required for any commercial or institutional food service operation.
RequiredGrease traps must be completely emptied and cleaned at least every 90 days. - 05Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The restaurant sells tangible personal property (food and beverages) to customers in Texas, which is a taxable sale.
RequiredNot published on the application page; the permit is ongoing while the business operates. - 06Texas Franchise Tax registration and annual reportTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The franchise tax is a privilege tax on every taxable entity formed in or doing business in Texas, including LLCs and corporations.
RequiredAnnual report due May 15 each year
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
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Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a restaurant in Dallas check?
This guide does not establish whether Dallas 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 Dallas?
About $225 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. 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 Business entity formation (Certificate of Formation) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State), then Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (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.