20 published records
Business licences and permits in Richardson, Texas
Since 15 September 2025 Richardson has put every fee it charges into one codified Master Fee Schedule at Appendix B of its Code of Ordinances, which makes it one of the easier Texas cities to price a whole opening from — and unusual in codifying fees rather than adopting them by resolution. Food permits band on floor area from $250 to $450, with a multi-department food store at $750. Construction runs off area bands that have not changed since 2015, but the small end has: finishing a shell now starts at $500 rather than $250, and the minimum on a commercial alteration went from $75 to $225. Two things catch people out. The certificate of occupancy is $100 but waived when it comes with a building permit, so it is only charged to a tenant taking on premises as they stand. And a commercial water meter deposit runs from $300 on a three-quarter-inch meter to $6,000 on a ten-inch — usually the largest single cheque written at opening.
What are you opening in Richardson?
- RestaurantsFull-service restaurants carry the densest permit load of any small business: food, fire, occupancy, waste, and usually alcohol.See the full permit list
- Coffee shopsCafés are permitted as food service establishments even where no cooking happens, and the plan review step catches most operators by surprise.See the full permit list
- Retail storesRetail is the lightest common permit load, but the sales tax permit and the certificate of occupancy are non-negotiable in every jurisdiction.See the full permit list
- Salons and barbersPersonal care is licensed at state board level as well as locally, so the shop licence and the practitioner licences are separate obligations.See the full permit list
- Food trucksMobile food is the one category with no certificate of occupancy — but it gains a commissary agreement, and the unit itself is inspected rather than the premises.See the full permit list
- Fitness studiosPrepaid memberships trigger state registration and often a surety bond, which catches operators who budgeted only for the fit-out.See the full permit list
- Childcare centresThe heaviest permit load of any small business: state agency licensing, per-person background checks, and a stricter fire standard than ordinary commercial use.See the full permit list
- Contractors and tradesLicensed at state board level rather than locally, and the only common category with no premises permits at all — the bond is usually the long pole.See the full permit list
- Auto repair shopsOrdinary commercial permitting plus an environmental layer: waste oil, solvents and stormwater are each registered separately.See the full permit list
- Veterinary clinicsA state facility permit, controlled substances registration at both state and federal level, and a medical waste manifest — none of which a general business licence covers.See the full permit list
Who issues business permits in Richardson?
Permitting in Richardson is split across 5 agencies we hold records for, with tax registration handled at state level. No single office issues everything, which is why an opening usually means filing in several places rather than one.
Richardson issuing agencies
- City of Richardson Building Inspection Division, Community Services DepartmentCommercial building permits, including electrical, plumbing, mechanical and concrete · Shell building and interior finish permits · Certificates of occupancy · Contractor registration · Sign permits · Building reinspections7 permits
- City of Richardson Health DepartmentFood service establishment permits · Food establishment plan review · Change of ownership applications · Public and semi-public swimming pool and spa inspections · Grease trap and waste interceptor inspections · Food establishment reinspections7 permits
- City of Richardson Public ServicesWaste hauler permits · Industrial pre-treatment permits · Irrigation permits · Water and sewer connections3 permits
- City of Richardson Fire Department, Fire Marshal's OfficeFire code operational permits · Fire protection system construction permits · Flammable and combustible liquid and storage tank permits · Commercial fire inspections and re-inspections2 permits
- City of Richardson Development ServicesZoning requests and special permits · Site plan and concept plan review · Zoning verification letters · Master sign plans · Variances from the zoning ordinance1 permit
Other Texas jurisdictions we cover
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.