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12 permits · verified 2026-10-19

What permits do you need to open a restaurant in Cameron County Tx?

In short

A restaurant in Cameron County Tx, TX has 2 permits that apply to every business of this type, plus 10 more that depend on your premises, signage or how you are set up. Cameron County Public Health, Environmental Health Program charges $150 per permit, per type of operation, per year; non-refundable; as stated in item 13 of the county's Establishment Application for the annual food service permit (food service establishments and retail food stores). 5 of the 12 are charged as a range or formula rather than a flat fee. Verified 2026-10-19 against the issuing agencies’ published fee schedules.

Permits particular to a restaurant in Cameron County Tx

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Annual Food Service Permit (food service establishments and retail food stores)Cameron County Public Health, Environmental Health Program$150 per permit, per type of operation, per year; non-refundable; as stated in item 13 of the county's Establishment Applicationannual; an annual inspection and a six-month inspection are required to renew before the expiration date on the permit2026-10-19
Temporary Food Establishment Permitonly if it applies to youCameron County Public Health, Environmental Health Program$25.00 for one day; $50.00 for 2 to 14 days. Non-refundable, payable to the Cameron County Imprest Fund, as stated in item 10 of the county's Temporary Food Establishment Permit requirements (Revised 06/26/2023).one day, or 2 to 14 days per event; the permit cannot exceed 14 days2026-10-19
Coin-Operated Machine Occupation Tax (County)only if it applies to youCameron County Tax Assessor-Collector$15.00 per machine per year, one-fourth of the $60 state tax. The county's Owner's Application (Revised 1/16/2014) prorates by quarter of purchase: January to March $15.00; April to June $11.25; July to September $7.50; October to December $3.75. County tax only; the state occupation tax is separate.annual tax receipt for each machine2026-10-19
Mixed Beverage Permit (MB)only if it applies to youTexas Alcoholic Beverage Commission$2,650–$5,300 per two-year period; $5,300 original, $2,650 renewalevery 2 years2026-08-21

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

Local permits that apply to every type of business in Cameron County Tx

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic) Permitonly if it applies to youCameron County Public Health, Environmental Health Program$120 OSSF permit application fee, non-refundable, as stated in the county's Conventional System Instructions 06.21.2022; the TCEQ fee in the county OSSF order is stated separatelyone year; the Conventional System Instructions state that the permit is non-transferable and valid only one year2026-10-19
Non-Residential and Multifamily Building Permit (Unincorporated Cameron County)only if it applies to youCameron County Department of Transportation, Building & InspectionsVaries — formula on the Cameron County Tx pageone permit per project; temporary Type I structures 4 weeks, renewable to 6 months, and Type II 6 months2026-10-19
Certificate of Occupancy, Existing Structure (Unincorporated Cameron County)only if it applies to youCameron County Department of Transportation, Building & Inspections$100 per certificate, non-residential and multifamily existing structure, per Section J.3 item 9 and Appendix B of Order No. 2022-006030one-time per occupancy of an existing structure2026-10-19
Sign Permit (Unincorporated Cameron County)only if it applies to youCameron County Department of Transportation, Building & Inspections$75 per sign, per Article 4 Section I.5 and Section J.3 item 5 of Order No. 2022-006030one-time per sign2026-10-19
Fire Code Permit (new businesses, commercial projects, change of ownership or occupancy)only if it applies to youCameron County Fire Marshal ServiceVaries — formula on the Cameron County Tx pageper project or change of ownership or occupancy; a final inspection follows permit approval2026-10-19

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

TX registrations that apply to every type of business

Permits required, with issuing agency, fee, renewal term and the date each record was last verified against its source
Certificate of Formationonly if it applies to youTexas Secretary of State$300 one-time filingno expiry2026-08-20
Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)only if it applies to youTexas Secretary of State$25 one-time filingup to ten years, renewable2026-08-21
Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public AccountsNo fee — there is no fee for this permitno expiry while actively engaged in business2026-08-21

Fees shown as a range or formula are set that way by the issuing agency — we do not average them into a single number.

How much does it actually cost to permit a restaurant in Cameron County Tx?

There is no single figure, and any site quoting one is rounding away the part that matters. Of the 12 records listed for a restaurant in Cameron County Tx, TX, 2 apply to every business of this type and 10 are conditional. Adding every fee on the page together would overstate what most operators pay, because it would include permits they never need.

Of the 2 that always apply, 2 carry a flat fee, coming to $150.00. That is a floor, not a total. 5 of the 12 are charged as a range or a formula set by the issuing agency, and 0 have no fee published at all. The ones particular to this business that vary:

Temporary Food Establishment Permit: $25.00 for one day; $50.00 for 2 to 14 days. Non-refundable, payable to the Cameron County Imprest Fund, as stated in item 10 of the county's Temporary Food Establishment Permit requirements (Revised 06/26/2023).

Coin-Operated Machine Occupation Tax (County): $15.00 per machine per year, one-fourth of the $60 state tax. The county's Owner's Application (Revised 1/16/2014) prorates by quarter of purchase: January to March $15.00; April to June $11.25; July to September $7.50; October to December $3.75. County tax only; the state occupation tax is separate.

Mixed Beverage Permit (MB): $2,650–$5,300 per two-year period; $5,300 original, $2,650 renewal

The other 2 variable fees belong to permits that apply to every type of business here; their formulas are set out on the Cameron County Tx permits page and the TX state page.

Which offices issue these permits in Cameron County Tx?

Permits for a restaurant in Cameron County Tx, TX come from 7 separate offices: Cameron County Public Health, Environmental Health Program, Cameron County Department of Transportation, Building & Inspections, Cameron County Fire Marshal Service, Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas Secretary of State, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. No single office issues them all, which is why an opening means filing in several places rather than one.

What does a restaurant need in Cameron County Tx that other businesses do not?

1 of the 4 permits particular to a restaurant here applies to no other business type we cover in Cameron County Tx: Mixed Beverage Permit (MB).

Mixed Beverage Permit (MB)

Read directly from the TABC two-year licensing fee schedule: Mixed Beverage Permit (MB) $5,300 original, $2,650 renewal, charged on a two-year cycle. A Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG) is $1,900 if you do not need spirits. Note a widely-cited competitor lists $6,006 for this permit, which does not appear in the TABC schedule.

Shared with other businesses in Cameron County Tx

  • Annual Food Service Permit (food service establishments and retail food stores) — Cameron County Public Health, Environmental Health Program, $150 per permit, per type of operation, per year; non-refundable; as stated in item 13 of the county's Establishment Application, annual; an annual inspection and a six-month inspection are required to renew before the expiration date on the permit. Also required for coffee shops, retail stores and childcare centres; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Temporary Food Establishment Permit — Cameron County Public Health, Environmental Health Program, $25.00 for one day; $50.00 for 2 to 14 days. Non-refundable, payable to the Cameron County Imprest Fund, as stated in item 10 of the county's Temporary Food Establishment Permit requirements (Revised 06/26/2023)., one day, or 2 to 14 days per event; the permit cannot exceed 14 days. Also required for coffee shops and retail stores; what it involves is set out on the coffee shops page.
  • Coin-Operated Machine Occupation Tax (County) — Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector, $15.00 per machine per year, one-fourth of the $60 state tax. The county's Owner's Application (Revised 1/16/2014) prorates by quarter of purchase: January to March $15.00; April to June $11.25; July to September $7.50; October to December $3.75. County tax only; the state occupation tax is separate., annual tax receipt for each machine. Also required for retail stores; what it involves is set out on the retail stores page.

The other 5 local permits in the tables apply to every type of business in Cameron County Tx, TX; what each one involves is set out on the Cameron County Tx permits page. The 3 state-level registrations apply to every type of business across TX and are covered on the TX state page.

How does a restaurant compare with other businesses in Cameron County Tx?

The closest match is a retail store, which shares 3 of these permits. A restaurant also needs Mixed Beverage Permit (MB). A retail store needs nothing here that a restaurant does not.

Permits particular to each business type in Cameron County Tx, TX, compared with a restaurant
BusinessIts own permitsShared with a restaurantOnly a restaurant needsOnly it needs
Retail stores3310
Coffee shops2220
Childcare centres2131
Auto repair shops0040
Contractors and trades2042
Fitness studios1041
Salons and barbers1041
Veterinary clinics1041

Sources

Every figure for the permits explained on this page was read from one of these government pages on the date shown. Sources for the permits shared with other businesses are listed with their explanations on the coffee shops page and retail stores page. Sources for the permits that apply to every type of business are listed on the Cameron County Tx permits page and the TX state page. Confirmed by Editorial Team.

  1. Two-Year Licensing Fees — TABCTexas Alcoholic Beverage Commission · primary source · retrieved 2026-08-22

Related

Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.