Restaurant 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
Opening a restaurant inside Houston involves city food and occupancy approvals, Texas sales tax registration, and employer obligations. Food-safety credentials, plan review, grease controls, and other premises-specific approvals depend on the menu, staffing, and location. This guide does not establish whether a general Harris County business license or occupational registration is required.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Internal Revenue Service · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · U.S. Department of Labor · Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
- State
- Texas Secretary of State · Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas Workforce Commission · Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation · Texas Office of the Governor, Business Permit Office · Texas Department of State Health Services · Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation · Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the owner's legal structure, formation jurisdiction, federal tax classification, and exact legal and operating name?
- Will the restaurant use a trade name different from the owner's or entity's legal name, and if so, which owner or entity will operate it?
- Does the premises already have a Certificate of Occupancy for restaurant use, and will construction, remodeling, or a change of use occur?
- What menu, food-handling processes, cooking equipment, fuel sources, hood and suppression systems, and grease-producing activities will the restaurant have?
- Will the premises use a regulated fire alarm or burglar alarm system, install signs, provide outdoor seating, or place any awning, fixture, or signage in the public right-of-way?
- Will the business own taxable business personal property or the premises, and what sewer provider or grease-interceptor requirements apply?
- What wages will be paid, for how many weeks, and is an existing business being acquired? These facts determine Texas unemployment-tax liability.
- Will the employer carry workers’ compensation insurance, and does any contract require coverage?
- Does Harris County require a general business license, business tax receipt, or occupational registration for this exact operation and address? The reviewed sources do not establish an exemption.
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: 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 25- 01City of Houston Food Dealer’s PermitHouston Health Department · Houston
The restaurant prepares and serves food at a fixed commercial location inside Houston, and Houston requires a current food dealer’s permit before operating.
RequiredAnnual - 02Certificate of OccupancyCity of Houston Houston Permitting Center · Houston
The business will occupy a commercial premises used by customers or staff, and Houston requires a Certificate of Occupancy before a commercial building or lease space is occupied or its occupancy classification changes.
RequiredNone (one-time), unless the occupancy classification or premises changes - 03Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The restaurant will sell taxable tangible personal property and operates a permanent business location in Texas.
RequiredNone (permit remains active while actively engaged in business) - 04Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service · Federal
The restaurant will have W-2 employees and must use an EIN for federal employment-tax administration.
RequiredNone (one-time) - 05Federal Employment Tax, Employment Eligibility Verification, and Workplace Posting ObligationsInternal Revenue Service, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Department of Labor · Federal
The restaurant will employ W-2 workers.
RequiredOngoing; quarterly, annual, and per-hire duties apply - 06Texas New Hire ReportingTexas Office of the Attorney General, Child Support Division · Texas
The restaurant will employ W-2 workers, and Texas requires employers to report newly hired and rehired employees.
RequiredPer hire; report within 20 calendar days
This example includes 19 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.
Not required for this example
- Texas Retail Food Establishment Permit — The business is a retail food establishment, but the state permit is displaced when the establishment is inspected and permitted by an eligible city authority.
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission License or Permit — The restaurant expressly does not sell alcohol.
- Harris County Public Health Food Permit — The stated location is inside the incorporated City of Houston, where the Houston Health Department handles the restaurant food permit and inspection rather than Harris County Public Health.
- Texas General Business License — Texas does not require a universal statewide general business license for this restaurant activity.
Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a restaurant 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 restaurant in Houston?
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 Texas entity formation or registration (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State), then Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service), then Assumed Name Certificate (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 5, 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.