Who needs a certificate of occupancy in Texas?

Issued by Your city building or development services department, at step 3 of 6 in the opening sequence: approve the space.

Every kind of business in Texas

The Texas table lists this for every kind of business.

The certificate confirms the space is approved for your use under zoning and building code, after inspections. Get it before you open and before build-out money is committed; a space with a prior use like yours is faster.

Checked Oct 15, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 3 of 6: Approve the space

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Your city building or development services department.

Sources and dates

City of Dallas certificate of occupancy page and DSD fee schedule. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.