How much do permits cost to open a restaurant in Houston?
The short answer, with the official forms and the agencies' own links.
The short answer
Across the 12 filings a restaurant in Houston makes, the fixed government fees add up to about $325 (Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC) $300, Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) $25). 6 more are set by the space or the business, and 4 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
Every filing and its fee
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal
Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, faxed or mailed
- Takes
- Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.
Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC)
Texas Secretary of StateTexas
Filed online in SOSDirect, or by mail or fax.
- Fee
- $300
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.
Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)
Texas Secretary of StateTexas
Filed when the store trades under a name other than the legal name.
- Fee
- $25
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.
- Renews
- Valid up to 10 years.
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit Application
Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas
Apply online in eSystems before your first sale; one permit for each location.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Permit arrives in about 2 to 3 weeks.
- Renews
- Does not expire.
Certified food manager
Texas Department of State Health ServicesTexas
At least one manager passes an exam from a DSHS-licensed certified food manager program. Local health departments require a certified food manager on site whenever the place is open.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- DSHS doesn't issue the certificate itself; the accredited exam provider issues it as soon as you pass the exam.
- Renews
- Every 5 years.
Food handler certificates for staff
Texas Department of State Health ServicesTexas
Every employee who works with unpackaged food, equipment or food-contact surfaces finishes an accredited food handler course within 30 days of hire. Certified food managers are exempt.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Each food employee must complete an accredited food handler course within 30 days of being hired; the training provider issues the card.
- Renews
- Valid to the date on the card, or 2 years if none.
Food establishment plan review
Houston Health DepartmentHouston
Submit plans before building or remodeling a food establishment.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- No standard time published; expedited review in 1 to 2 business days.
Certificate of Occupancy
City of Houston, Houston Permitting CenterHouston
Form CE-1045-A, emailed to Occupancy Inspections (Occupancy.Inspections@houstontx.gov); iPermits is only for paying afterwards. Needed for a new tenant use or change of use inside city limits.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Houston lists the Certificate of Occupancy's processing time as 15 minutes once the final inspection is approved; the certificate is emailed to you.
Unemployment tax account
Texas Workforce CommissionTexas
Register online once you pay wages in Texas.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Account number issued instantly online.
Food dealer permit
Houston Health DepartmentHouston
The operating permit, issued after plan review and inspection. The application is emailed to Food-COO@houstontx.gov.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 15 business days.
- Renews
- Every year.
Sign permit
City of Houston, Sign AdministrationHouston
Filed with the Houston Permitting Center before the sign goes up.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- About 4 to 11 business days.
- Renews
- Every year.
Franchise tax annual report
Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas
Filed every year by May 15, even when no tax is due.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The Comptroller doesn't publish a processing time for the report; the annual franchise tax report is due May 15 (next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday).
- Renews
- Every year by May 15.
Full guides
General information, not legal or tax advice. Agency requirements change; check the agency's page before you file.
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Get the plan for your business in Houston
This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.
- The full list for your address, in filing order
- The official forms, filled line by line
- Renewal and inspection reminders