Services

What we file

Each permit has its own agency and its own forms. We prepare the application, file it and follow up with the agency.

Permits and licenses

Apply online

Texas convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants and small food businesses. Government fees and times below are what each agency published as of October 2026; we confirm them again when we file.

Start-up essentials

Sales and use tax permit

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Lets the business collect Texas sales tax. Every other state permit for a store depends on it, so we file it first.

Government fee
$0. The Comptroller can ask for a security deposit in some cases.
Typical time
Often same day when we file in person; about 2 to 3 weeks online. The paper permit arrives by mail about a week later.
Renewal
Does not expire while the store operates. Returns are due on time even with no sales.
Apply for this

Assumed name certificate (DBA)

Texas Secretary of State (companies) or county clerk (sole owners)

Registers the store name customers see, when it differs from the legal company name.

Government fee
$25 at the Secretary of State for companies. Sole owners file with the county clerk (Harris about $25, Fort Bend about $15).
Typical time
Usually a few business days.
Renewal
Up to 10 years.
Apply for this

Certificate of occupancy

City permitting office (outside city limits: county fire marshal)

Confirms the building is safe for your kind of business. Houston, many other cities and the TABC local sign-off ask for it.

Government fee
Houston: $94 to $537.12. Other cities and counties set their own fees.
Typical time
Houston processes the request the same day; the inspection follows and a corrections report is ready within 24 hours.
Renewal
Houston certificates don't expire, but a new one is needed for a change of use, size or (in some cities) owner.
Apply for this

Store sales licenses

Cigarette, cigar and tobacco retailer permit

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Needed to sell cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco. One permit per location.

Government fee
$180 for the two-year period, prorated by the month you apply.
Typical time
Usually issued with the sales tax permit; the paper permit arrives by mail in about 1 to 2 weeks.
Renewal
Expires May 31 of even years (the current period ends May 31, 2028).
Apply for this

E-cigarette retailer permit

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Needed to sell vapes and other e-cigarette products. Separate from the tobacco permit.

Government fee
$180 for the two-year period (prorated), or $90 if the same location holds the tobacco retailer permit.
Typical time
Usually issued with the tobacco permit.
Renewal
Expires May 31 of even years (the current period ends May 31, 2028).
Apply for this

Alcohol permit (TABC)

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)

Beer and wine to go (the usual convenience-store permit), on-premises drinking, mixed drinks or a liquor store.

Government fee
TABC state fee for 2 years by permit: beer and wine to go (BQ) $1,900; beer only to go (BF) $1,100; beer and wine on premises (BG) $1,900; beer only on premises (BE) $1,100; mixed beverage (MB) $5,300; package store (P) $1,800; wine-only package store (Q) $1,600. Plus city and county fees, bond and newspaper costs where they apply.
Typical time
About 2 to 3 months: up to 30 days for the city and county sign-offs, then about 30 to 60 days of TABC review. On-premises permits that need the 60-day sign take longer.
Renewal
2 years. Renew from 30 days before expiry; up to 30 days late with a $100 late fee.
Apply for this

Lottery retailer license

Texas Lottery (run by TDLR since 2025)

Lets the store sell Texas Lottery tickets.

Government fee
$125 for the first location ($100 application plus $25 bond fund); $50 for each extra location with the same tax ID.
Typical time
About 2 weeks after filing when nothing is missing, then terminal installation and mandatory training.
Renewal
2 years; renewal is $15 per location.
Apply for this

SNAP / EBT retailer authorization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (Food and Nutrition Service)

Lets the store accept SNAP (food stamp) EBT cards. Filed last, because USDA wants to see the store's issued permits.

Government fee
$0.
Typical time
USDA decides within 45 days of a complete application and may visit the store first.
Renewal
Reauthorization about every 5 years. A new owner must apply again; the authorization can't be transferred.
Apply for this

Food and health

Food establishment (health) permit

City or county health department (Houston Health Department, Harris County Public Health, Fort Bend County, or Texas DSHS)

Needed to sell or serve food beyond sealed, prepackaged items: coffee, fountain drinks, roller grills, hot cases, kitchens.

Government fee
Texas model fees: $258, $515 or $773 a year by food sales (Houston follows these tiers since September 2025). Plan review and inspection fees vary.
Typical time
Houston: up to 15 business days; book the pre-opening inspection at least 14 business days ahead.
Renewal
1 year in Houston. Not transferable to a new owner.
Apply for this

Bagged ice: food manufacturer license

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

Texas treats bagging ice for sale as food manufacturing, so it needs a state license on top of local permits.

Government fee
About $103 to $1,730 for 2 years, by yearly sales (we confirm the current DSHS fee when filing).
Typical time
About 4 to 6 weeks for a complete application.
Renewal
2 years.
Apply for this

Halal certification (coordination)

A private halal certifier you choose (there is no government halal permit)

We prepare the certifier's application and schedule the audit. Fair Permits is not a certifier and never labels anything halal itself.

Government fee
Set by the certifier, usually by quote.
Typical time
Usually 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the certifier.
Renewal
Usually renewed yearly with an audit.
Apply for this

Fuel stations

Fuel pump registration (weights and measures)

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR); store scales: Texas Department of Agriculture

Every fuel pump must be registered before it is used, after a licensed service company checks it.

Government fee
$93 per multi-product pump, $31 per single-product pump, plus a 3% processing fee. Commercial scales are registered separately with TDA.
Typical time
Depends on the service company's check, then TDLR processing.
Renewal
2 years for pumps (each needs a performance review at least every 2 years). Not transferable to a new owner.
Apply for this

Underground storage tank registration (TCEQ)

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

Registers fuel tanks and keeps the yearly delivery certificate current. Without it, fuel can't be delivered.

Government fee
No yearly TCEQ registration fee. Tank insurance and operator training are separate costs.
Typical time
About 3 to 7 business days online; 8 to 20 on paper.
Renewal
Delivery certificate renewed every year, at least 30 days before it expires. Changes within 30 days.
Apply for this

Other filings

Coin-operated machine license and decals

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (plus city or county game-room rules)

Amusement and music machines need a Comptroller license and a yearly tax decal on each machine.

Government fee
Registration certificate $150 a year (your own machines at your own store) or general business license $200 to $500, plus $60 per machine (prorated by quarter in the first year).
Typical time
Renewals are due by November 30 every year.
Renewal
Yearly, by November 30.
Apply for this

Franchise tax report and Public Information Report

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Every Texas LLC and corporation files each year by May 15, even when no tax is owed. Missing it can forfeit the company's right to do business.

Government fee
No filing fee. Tax is owed only above $2.65 million in revenue (2026 and 2027 reports).
Typical time
Due May 15 each year; an extension is possible.
Renewal
Every year.
Apply for this

How applying online works

  1. Choose your permits

    Sign in, pick your company and the permits you need, or start from a package such as "New convenience store".

  2. Answer a few questions

    About the store and each permit. We never ask for Social Security or bank numbers on the website.

  3. Upload and sign

    Upload your checklist documents in the portal. We prepare every agency form and send you only the pages to sign.

  4. Track every step

    Each permit shows its current step, what we need from you, and its renewal date once issued.

Pricing

Every application gets a fixed quote before work starts. You approve it, and only then do we file. Agency fees are separate and passed through at cost.

Not sure which permits you need?

Describe the business and we will tell you what we would file.

Ask us firstApply online