Online store licenses
in San Antonio, 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
This business is an online store based in San Antonio, Texas, selling tangible goods without a physical storefront or employees. It operates as a home-based business and is subject to state and local regulations, including sales tax and assumed name registration.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
- Federal
- Federal Government
- State
- Texas
- County
- Bexar County
- City
- San Antonio
Details to confirm before you apply
- Will the owner operate under a trade name requiring a DBA?
- Is the business planning to hire employees in the future?
- What specific tangible goods will the business sell?
- Will the business ever sell used or secondhand goods?
- Is the home located within San Antonio city limits?
- Does the owner plan to expand the business to a commercial location?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: City business license or tax registration. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 6- 01Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The store sells tangible personal property to customers, which is a taxable sale requiring a seller's permit for anyone engaged in business in Texas.
RequiredNone — the permit is ongoing, but you must file a sales and use tax return every period even with zero sales; the permit is not transferable on change of ownership - 02Home Occupation Compliance (UDC Sec. 35-378)City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) · San Antonio
The business operates from a home in a residential area, which the UDC regulates as a 'home occupation.'
Likely requiredNot published - 03Certificate of Formation for a Texas LLC (or other entity)Texas Secretary of State · Texas
Required only if the owner chooses to form an LLC or corporation; a sole proprietorship needs no Secretary of State filing (just a DBA if using a trade name).
ConditionalNone for formation; ongoing obligations are the annual franchise tax/information report to the Comptroller - 04Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)Texas Secretary of State (and county clerk where business is conducted) · Texas
Required only if the business uses a trade name different from the legal name; also file with the Bexar County clerk for a sole proprietorship conducting business in Bexar County (Chapter 71, Texas Business & Commerce Code).
ConditionalValid up to 10 years from filing; renew before expiration to keep using the name - 05Assumed Name Certificate (DBA / Doing Business As)Bexar County Clerk, Assumed Name/DBA Office · County
Required only if the business operates under a trade name different from the owner's legal name. If the owner operates under their exact legal name, no DBA is needed.
ConditionalValid 10 years from registration. A new certificate must be filed if information becomes materially misleading; file a Notice of Abandonment when the name is no longer used. - 06Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRSInternal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
Required if the business is a multi-member LLC or partnership, if employees are hired, or if the entity must pay sales/excise taxes; strongly recommended anyway for opening business bank accounts.
ConditionalNone (one-time; a new EIN is needed only for ownership/entity changes)
Make the checklist yours
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Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should an online store in San Antonio check?
This guide does not establish whether San Antonio 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 an online store in San Antonio?
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) from the IRS (if applicable) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Certificate of Formation for a Texas LLC (or other entity) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State), then Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State (and county clerk where business is conducted)). 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 online store. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.