Start a Business in Dallas

Permits, costs, timeline, and step-by-step requirements.

✔ 4 permits⏱ 2-6 weeks💰 $0–$100

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Overview

Starting a business in Dallas requires a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) through the Sustainable Development and Construction Department, Building Inspection Division. Base fee: $0–$100. No state business license. No state income tax. Cities vary widely — some require licenses, some don't.

Required Permits

✓Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)
✓State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration
✓County: health department permit + fire inspection
✓City: business licence/tax certificate

Step-by-Step Process

1

Federal: EIN from IRS (free, instant online)

2

State: LLC/Corp filing + seller's permit/sales tax registration

3

County: health department permit + fire inspection

4

City: business licence/tax certificate

Costs

Estimated total: $0–$100 depending on permits and inspections.

General Business$0–$100
Restaurant$0–$300

County Health Department

Dallas County Health Department (DCHHS) (Dallas County)

(214) 819-2000

https://www.dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs

Contact

Sustainable Development and Construction Department, Building Inspection Division

Phone: 214-948-4480

Oak Cliff Municipal Center, 320 E. Jefferson Blvd, Room 118, Dallas, TX 75203

Apply Online →

Common Mistakes

⚠ No traditional 'business license' — uses Certificate of Occupancy system
⚠ CO tied to both location AND use type — change of use requires new CO
⚠ CO applications route through multiple departments (Zoning, Building Code, Health, Fire)
⚠ Restaurants over 750 sq ft require full floor plans with occupancy load calculations
⚠ Personal services (barber, tailor, photo studio) require state licenses from each employee
⚠ Rejected/incomplete CO applications treated as new applications — reprocessed from scratch

Choose Your Business Type

RestaurantFood TruckBarber ShopRetail StoreCoffee ShopBar / NightclubGym / Fitness StudioNail SalonCannabis DispensaryDog GroomingBakeryCleaning ServiceDaycare CenterAuto Repair Shop

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