How much permits cost to open in Dallas
In Dallas, the filings with a fixed government fee add up to about $1,567. 5 more are set by the space or the business, and 9 are free. Build-out, insurance and adviser costs are on top.
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.
ACE Secure Data Portal account for importers
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionUS federal
Applied for online in ACE. Lets you see your entries, duties and bond.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
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.
Cosmetic product facility registration (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the facility that makes or processes the cosmetics.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every two years.
Cosmetic product listing (MoCRA)
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS federal
Filed online in Cosmetics Direct by the brand (the responsible person on the label), one listing per product.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Update every year.
Product safety certificate, filed electronically at entry
U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionUS federal
The importer issues the certificate itself (there is no government form) and, under the eFiling rule, files the certificate data with CBP at entry.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
Hazardous materials registration
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT)US federal
Filed online when you ship or offer certain hazardous materials in bulk, such as large lithium battery shipments.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Renews
- Every year by June 30.
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 Dallas Planning and DevelopmentDallas
Apply on DallasNow with the land use questionnaire, plus site and floor plans if the use is changing. Needed for a new tenant or a change of use.
- Fee
- $375
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Dallas's goal is to review a CO application within 15 business days on average, though its CO page notes processing times differ based on demand.
Building permit for tenant finish-out
City of Dallas Planning and DevelopmentDallas
Apply on DallasNow under Commercial Permits, upload the plans and checklists, and pay online.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Dallas's goal for a commercial alteration/addition is an initial plan review within 15 business days and a resubmittal review within 7.
Food establishment plan review
City of Dallas Planning and Development, Health Plan ReviewDallas
Submit two sets of plans, equipment sheets, finishes and the menu at 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., where the plans are reviewed and stamped.
- Fee
- $200
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- Dallas's goal for the Health team's initial plan review is 15 business days.
Food establishment permit
City of Dallas Code Compliance, Consumer HealthDallas
File CCS-FRM-424 with photo ID, the Texas sales tax permit and the fee, then book the health inspection. A registered food manager must be on site.
- Fee
- $121
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- Consumer Health doesn't publish a processing time; after you apply, you schedule and coordinate the required health inspections with your permitting inspector.
- Renews
- Every year, due December 31.
Sign permit
City of Dallas Planning and DevelopmentDallas
A registered sign contractor applies on DallasNow once the Certificate of Occupancy is approved.
- Fee
- $296
- Filed
- Filed on the agency's portal
- Takes
- Typically about two business days if everything required is submitted.
Kitchen hood fire-extinguishing system permit
Dallas Fire-RescueDallas
Get the application from Dallas Fire-Rescue, 1551 Baylor St., Suite 400.
- Fee
- $250
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- Dallas doesn't publish a review time for kitchen hood fire-extinguishing system permits; its published goals cover only fire alarm, sprinkler and flammable-liquid reviews.
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 Dallas
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
Was this page helpful?
Get the plan for your business in Dallas
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