How long permits take in Austin
How long each agency takes, so you can plan the opening date.
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.
Create/Update Importer Identity Form
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Sent to CBP (usually through your customs broker), or created in the ACE portal. Needed before your first entry as importer of record.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Paper form, mailed
- Takes
- Up to 5 business days.
Customs Bond
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Bought from a CBP-approved surety, usually through your customs broker, who files it electronically. A continuous bond covers a year of entries.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- At least 5 business days for review.
- Renews
- Continuous bonds renew yearly.
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.
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.
Certificate of Occupancy
City of Austin Development ServicesAustin
Needed when the space's use changes or after construction; it may include a site plan exemption and building plan review. For a food business it comes through Austin Public Health's pre-opening inspection.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Change-of-use reviews now take about two weeks (three review disciplines since October 2025).
Building permit for a tenant finish-out
City of Austin Development ServicesAustin
Apply with the city's commercial building permit web form (not AB+C) to build, alter or convert the space, with plans for commercial plan review.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Commercial plan review for a remodel up to 25,000 sq ft takes 10 business days; small projects, such as a finish-out under 10,000 sq ft, take 5 business days.
Food establishment plan review
City of Austin Development Services, with Austin Public HealthAustin
For new construction or a remodel: inside the City of Austin, apply online through Development Services; in unincorporated Travis County, through Austin Public Health's My Health Department portal.
- Fee
- $312
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Inside the City of Austin, the food plan review is submitted with the commercial building application, whose review takes 10 business days for a remodel up to 25,000 sq ft (5 for small projects).
Pre-opening health inspection
Austin Public Health, Environmental Health ServicesAustin
Apply on the My Health Department portal (Retail and Wholesale Food Applications, Pre-Opening Inspection), in person at 1520 Rutherford Ln, or by mail. Needed for a new place, a remodel or a change of owner; the place must pass before the permit is issued.
- Fee
- $178
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Austin Public Health doesn't publish how soon a pre-opening inspection happens; you apply once the space is built, and you must pass before the permit is issued.
Food enterprise permit (fixed food establishment)
Austin Public Health, Environmental Health ServicesAustin
Issued after the pre-opening inspection passes. Apply on the My Health Department portal (Food Enterprise, Operational Permit Application) or in person at 1520 Rutherford Ln; the form says mailed applications are not accepted. A certified food manager must be on site whenever the place is open.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Austin Public Health doesn't publish a processing time; the operating permit is issued after the pre-opening inspection is approved.
- Renews
- Every year, one year from the issue date. The renewal notice comes 45 days before.
Sign permit
City of Austin Development ServicesAustin
Any outdoor sign (wall, awning, projecting, freestanding, roof) needs a permit, applied for on the AB+C portal.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Austin doesn't publish a review time for sign permits; staff review the application once the review fee is paid and email you the decision.
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.
Guides for each business in Austin
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
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