How to Get a Business License in Garland: What You Need to Know (2026)
The Quick Version
Starting a business in Garland, TX requires permits and registrations across multiple government layers — federal, state, Dallas County (county), and city. The primary city-level requirement is the Certificate of Occupancy, issued by the Building Inspections. Most businesses need 5 to 10 separate registrations, and the order you complete them matters because each step has dependencies on the ones before it.
Contact the Building Inspections at 972-205-2300 for current requirements. More information is available at garlandtx.gov.
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What Makes Garland Different
Garland has several characteristics that affect the licensing process:
- Dallas County layer
- Manufacturing/industrial base
- No general business license
- Firewheel Town Center area has planned development standards
- Texas has no state income tax but requires a franchise tax (margin tax) filing annually
The Permit Stack: What You Need
Most businesses in Garland need permits from four levels of government:
Federal: An EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS — free and available instantly online at irs.gov/ein.
State (TX): LLC or Corporation filing through the Texas Secretary of State. Filing fee: $300 LLC, processing time: 2-5 business days.
County (Dallas County): Health permits (for food businesses), building inspections, and any county-specific requirements.
City (Garland): Certificate of Occupancy from the Building Inspections. Phone: 972-205-2300.
How Long Does It Take?
Most businesses in Garland can be fully licensed and operational within 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the business type. Simple home-based businesses can often complete the process in 2 to 4 weeks, while restaurants, bars, and businesses requiring inspections typically take 8 to 12 weeks.
The dependency chain matters — some permits can't be applied for until others are in place. Getting the order wrong means delays and wasted time.
Don't Guess — Get Your Roadmap
Every business type has different requirements, and Garland has its own quirks that generic state guides miss. PermitBoard analyzes your specific business type against Garland's actual requirements and gives you a step-by-step plan with fees, timelines, and direct links to every form.