8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday
(closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
For PERMITS call 713.837.9838 |
Alcohol And Alcohol-Related Business
Requirements: Apply with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Submit a copy of the TABC application to the City for location approval. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Planning Department Building Inspection Division. Chapter III, Code of Ordinances.
Expiration: Year to Date
Fee Range: $10 to $1000 |
Junk Dealers, Scrap Metal Processors, Gold/Silver Dealers, Common Market, Second Hand Dealers
Requirements: Submit application. An inspection will be conducted within 3 to 10 days. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from Planning Department Building Inspection Division. Await approval of the location. Pay City fees.
Expiration: Year to Date
Fee Range: $50 to $200 |
Second Hand Dealers (used clothing, books or records, exclusively)
Requirements: Submit application. An inspection will be conducted within 3 to 10 days. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from Planning Department Building Inspection Division. Await approval of the location. Pay City fees.
Expiration: Year to Date
Fee: $25 |
Antique Dealers & Mini-Warehouses
Requirements: Submit application. An inspection will be conducted within 3 to 10 days. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from Planning Department Building Inspection Division. Await approval of the location. Pay City fees.
Expiration: December 31
Fee: $50 (Prorated quarterly for new accounts only) |
Dance Halls
Requirements: Submit application to the Finance and Administration Department. Submit Part II of the application to HPD for a background check. The location must be inspected and approved by the Fire, Police, Planning, and Health Departments prior to the issuance of the permit. There is a 4 to 6 week time frame for completion of these inspections. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Planning Department Building Inspection Division. Await approval of location. Pay City fees.
Expiration: December 31
Fee Range: $550 (Class A), $250 (Class B), $10 to $30 (Class C and D), $120 (Class E). Prorated monthly for Class A only) |
Coin Operated Machines
Requirements: Complete application listing the make, model and serial number of each machine. Purchase coin operated machine decals and properly display the decal on the machine. There is a penalty of $30 for each machine that is being operated without a decal.
Expiration: December 31
Fee Range: $15.00 each (cash only, prorated quarterly) |
Itinerant Vendors
Requirements: Vendors engaged in temporary or transient business of selling, offering for sale, exhibiting merchandise for sale, or taking orders for merchandise or goods from a vehicle on the streets or who occupy a space in a building or on a vacant lot must obtain this permit. A $2,000 surety bond must be obtained before a permit is issued. The bond must remain in full force and effect for the entire duration of the permit and for two years thereafter.
Expiration: 40 days
Fee Range: $50.00 (cash only) |
Sound And Noise-Related Equipment
Requirements: Users of any loudspeaker, sound amplifier, or any other machine or device which produces, reproduces, or amplifies sound outside of a building or other enclosed structure must obtain this permit. A copy of the completed application must be filed with the Police Department. Limited to two permits at the same location within a 30 day period. Events in the City parks require prior reservation from the Parks and Recreation Department.
Expiration: One day (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Fee Range: $10.00 (cash only) |
Game Rooms
Requirements: Submit application to Police Vice Division. Upon approval, obtain a permit from the Commercial Permitting and Enforcement Section.
Expiration: December 31
Fee Range: $6.00 |
Carnival
Requirements: Complete an application with a copy of the lease from the property owner where the carnival will be stationed. If food will be offered, approval from the Health Department must be obtained prior to the issuance of this permit.
Expiration: Length of show
Fee Range: $5.00 |
Charitable Solicitation
Requirements: Complete an application for a certificate of registration statement. Submit a closing statement within 120 days of the
Expiration of the solicitation period.
Expiration: Year to Date
Fee Range: $12.00 |
| Garage Sales / Yard Sales ... are not regulated by the City of Houston. They are regulated by the Office of the State Comptroller. Residents are allowed to have only two such sales within a twelve month period. Any more than two and the resident is recognized as having a business and must obtain a sales tax permit from the state. Since many subdivisions prohibit solicitation and commercial businesses within the residential areas of a neighborhood, such activity is restricted. For residents who try to operate a business in their homes, there are other city requirements that must be met. Specifically, at a minimum, the resident must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. To summarize, there is no permit known as a "garage sale permit". |
