What permits do you need to open a convenience store in Texas?

The short list, in filing order

Most delays we see come from filing in the wrong order. Several agencies will not even look at an application until another permit exists. This is the order we use for a new store:

1. Company and name. The LLC or corporation should already be formed with the Texas Secretary of State. If the sign on the building will say something other than the legal name (for example "Quick Stop" for "ABC Ventures LLC"), file an assumed name certificate so every permit carries the same name.
2. Sales and use tax permit from the Texas Comptroller. It is free and it unlocks the tobacco, e-cigarette, TABC, lottery and SNAP applications. See how to get a Texas sales tax permit.
3. Certificate of occupancy from the city (or the county fire marshal outside city limits). Houston and the TABC local sign-off both ask for it. See certificates of occupancy in Houston.
4. Tobacco and e-cigarette retailer permits, usually filed with the sales tax application. See tobacco and e-cigarette permits.
5. Food establishment permit from the local health department, if you prepare or serve anything beyond sealed packaged food. See food permits in Houston and Harris County.
6. TABC permit for beer and wine to go. This is the longest process, about 2 to 3 months, so start it as soon as the sales tax permit and lease are in place. See the TABC beer and wine permit.
7. Texas Lottery retailer license, filed once the sales tax permit is issued. See becoming a Texas Lottery retailer.
8. SNAP (EBT) authorization from USDA, last, because USDA wants to see the store's issued permits and stocked shelves. See SNAP authorization and the 2026 stocking rule.

What it costs in government fees

Government fees for a typical Houston c-store with beer and wine, tobacco, vapes, lottery and a coffee bar add up to roughly $2,650 to $3,600 before city and county alcohol fees, bonds and inspection fees. The large items are the TABC BQ permit ($1,900 for two years), the tobacco permit ($180 for two years, prorated), the e-cigarette permit ($90 when the store also holds the tobacco permit), the lottery license ($125 for the first location), the food permit ($258 to $773 a year by food sales) and the Houston certificate of occupancy ($94 to $537.12). The sales tax permit and SNAP authorization have no fee. Each figure is in the table above with its source.

Gas station? Add two more

A store with fuel pumps also registers every pump with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and registers its underground tanks with TCEQ, which issues the yearly delivery certificate fuel suppliers check before they unload. See permits for a Texas gas station.

Buying an existing store

Permits generally do not transfer to a new owner. A change of ownership means new applications for the sales tax permit, tobacco and e-cigarette permits, TABC permit, lottery license, food permit and SNAP authorization, and in some cities a new certificate of occupancy. The seller's permits stay in the seller's name until they are cancelled, so plan the closing date around the new permits, not the other way round. Do not plan on selling alcohol, lottery tickets or tobacco under the seller's permits after closing; ask the agency first, because in most cases that counts as selling without a permit.

The items people forget

• Coin-operated machines. Amusement machines need a Comptroller license and a decal on each machine, renewed every November 30. See coin-operated machine licenses.
• Bagged ice. Bagging your own ice for sale needs a state food manufacturer license from DSHS.
• The yearly franchise tax report. The company itself files with the Comptroller every May 15, even with no tax due. See franchise tax and the Public Information Report.
• Staff training. Staff who sell alcohol should take TABC seller-server training, and food employees need a food handler card within 60 days of hire.