General contractor licenses
in Fort Worth, 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 general contractor operating from a home in Fort Worth, Texas, and will have W-2 employees. It primarily sells services and uses commercial vehicles as part of its operations, with no storefront or food/alcohol sales.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- State of Texas
- County
- Tarrant County
- Special district
- Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD)
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the business entity type (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.)?
- Will the business perform any state-licensed trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)?
- What is the gross weight rating of the commercial vehicles used?
- Are there any planned jobs that involve work in the city right-of-way?
- Does the business plan to hire more employees in the future?
- Is the home address confirmed to be within Fort Worth city limits?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: State unemployment insurance employer account; New-hire reporting; Commercial vehicle rules; Lead-safe renovation firm certification; Individual lead-safe renovator qualification; City business license or tax registration. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 8- 01Fort Worth Contractor RegistrationCity of Fort Worth Development Services Department · Fort Worth
Any firm obtaining a permit under Fort Worth's building, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical codes must have a valid Contractor Registration.
RequiredAnnual - 02Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The business will hire W-2 employees, and the IRS requires an EIN for any business that hires employees.
RequiredNone (EIN does not expire) - 03Federal employment tax deposits and returns (Form 941, Form 940, W-2/W-3)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The business will have W-2 employees, so it must withhold and deposit federal income tax and Social Security/Medicare taxes.
RequiredAnnual - 04Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
If the business sells taxable services or goods, it must obtain a sales tax permit.
Likely requiredNone (permit does not expire) - 05Fort Worth Home Occupation standards (Zoning Ordinance § 5.116)City of Fort Worth (Zoning Ordinance) · Fort Worth
The home occupation must comply with § 5.116 of the Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.
ConditionalNone - 06County Assumed Name (DBA) CertificateTarrant County Clerk · County
Required only if the business is a sole proprietorship or general partnership operating under an assumed name.
ConditionalNot published
This example includes 2 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 general contractor in Fort Worth check?
This guide does not establish whether Fort Worth 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 general contractor in Fort Worth?
About $169 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 Federal employment tax deposits and returns (Form 941, Form 940, W-2/W-3) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts). 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 general contractor. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.