General contractor licenses
in Houston, 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 home-based general contractor located in Houston, Texas, operating without a commercial storefront and primarily selling services. It will have W-2 employees and uses commercial vehicles for operations.
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 fee for the Harris County assumed name certificate?
- Is the home address inside Houston city limits or unincorporated Harris County?
- Will the contractor's construction projects be in unincorporated areas or inside cities?
- What specific trades will the contractor perform that may require additional state licenses?
- What are the vehicle weights and routes that determine USDOT and TxDMV requirements?
- Are there any private deed restrictions that may affect the home-based business operations?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; Commercial vehicle rules; Lead-safe renovation firm certification; Individual lead-safe renovator qualification. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 10- 01Vehicle Registration and Titling (Commercial Vehicles)Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector (administers the TxDMV registration/titling program) · County
The business uses commercial vehicles in operations; in Texas, vehicle registration and titling are performed at the county tax assessor-collector's office in the county where the owner resides.
RequiredAnnual registration renewal - 02Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The contractor is engaged in business in Texas and sells taxable services and tangible personal property (materials) to customers.
RequiredNo renewal; the permit is valid while the business is active. File sales tax returns even in periods with no taxable sales. - 03Texas Franchise Tax (annual report and registration)Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The franchise tax is a privilege tax on each taxable entity (LLC, corporation, etc.) formed in or doing business in Texas.
RequiredAnnual report due May 15 each year. - 04Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The business will have W-2 employees, and the IRS requires an EIN to hire employees and pay employment taxes.
RequiredNone. One-time; no renewal. - 05Unemployment (UI) tax registration and wage reportsTexas Workforce Commission (TWC) · Texas
The business will have W-2 employees, making it a liable employer under the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act.
RequiredQuarterly wage reports and taxes due by the last day of the month after each quarter. - 06Certificate of Formation (business entity registration)Texas Secretary of State · Texas
A business with W-2 employees is almost always formed as a legal entity (e.g., LLC or corporation) in Texas; the certificate of formation creates the entity.
Likely requiredNone. Entity remains in effect until dissolved; annual franchise tax report is due each year (see franchise tax entry).
This example includes 4 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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Not required for this example
- City of Houston General Business License — Houston does not issue a general business license.
- Home occupation permit / home-based business permit — The business operates from a home, so a home occupation permit is a standard expectation for home-based businesses.
- Certificate of occupancy — A contractor operating from a residence without a commercial storefront might be expected to need a certificate of occupancy for the business location.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a general contractor in Houston check?
The research marks City of Houston General Business License, issued by City of Houston, as not required for this setup. Houston does not issue a general business license. Check the other city permits in this guide and confirm the requirements for your premises and activities.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a general contractor in Houston?
About $300 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 Certificate of Formation (business entity registration) (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 general contractor. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.