What permits do you need to open a fitness studio in Bexar County?

Fitness Studio / Gym — State Health Spa Registration and County Site Permits (Bexar County)

No fee applies at county level: the County's own Businesses page lists no fitness-studio license among its programs. The State does regulate gyms that sell memberships: the Texas Secretary of State's Health Spa FAQ defines a health spa as 'A business that offers for sale, or sells, memberships that provide the members instruction in or the use of facilities for a physical exercise program,' quotes Occupations Code §702.101 that a person may not operate one 'unless the person holds a health spa operator's certificate of registration,' and states that 'The fee for an original certificate of registration or renewal is $100,' with security required for each location unless an exemption applies. At county level, only the generic unincorporated-area Fire Marshal and Public Works requirements, each listed as a separate Bexar County requirement, such as the building permit, Change of Occupancy, and Places-of-Assembly-style annual fire inspection, would apply if a studio is sited in unincorporated Bexar County.

Health Spa Certificate of Registration

Texas law is direct about this: a person may not operate a health spa, or sell a health spa membership, without a certificate of registration. A health spa is defined as a business selling memberships that provide instruction in, or use of facilities for, a physical exercise programme — so an ordinary gym or studio selling memberships is inside the definition. Each location needs its own certificate and the fee is $100, original or renewal, effective for one year. The fee is rarely the real cost. Security must be provided for each location, and the amount is set by the total amount paid for PREPAID memberships at that location, not by how many members you have: $20,000 of security up to $20,000 of prepaid memberships, then $25,000, $30,000, $35,000, $40,000 and $45,000 in steps, reaching $50,000 once prepaid memberships pass $45,000. Two exemptions matter and are worth checking before you post a bond. A facility that does not require memberships longer than 31 days, does not charge an initiation fee and does not take recurring debits can be exempt. So can an established operator with more than $50,000 in assets per location, at least five years of stable ownership and no closure-related complaints, applying on Form 3006. Separately exempt from registration altogether: tax-exempt organisations, member-owned private clubs, businesses teaching only dance or aerobics, those providing only physical rehabilitation, entities operating under a state license, and school activities under the Education Code.

Shared with other businesses in Bexar County

• Mass Gathering Permit — Office of the Bexar County Judge, $500 flat, non-refundable, per event, per event; the complete application packet is required at least 45 days before the event. Also required for restaurants, food trucks and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the restaurants page.