Operating without the proper permits can expose a business to administrative penalties (such as suspension of a business license), fines, and even criminal penalties. With the benefit of skill and experience, your attorney can secure business compliance so that you can focus on profitable daily operations.

Weisblatt Law Firm is a Houston-based business law firm with decades of experience serving the Houston and Texas business communities. Call (713) 666-1981 for a free consultation over the phone, or schedule an in-person visit at your convenience. 

Federal Permits

Federal regulations affect many businesses that engage in interstate commerce. They also affect businesses that engage in regulated industries, such as transportation or energy. One such example occurred right here in Texas, when the Houston-based energy company Valley Crossing Pipeline was granted a permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The San Antonio Business Journal reports that the permit allows Valley Crossing to construct a 168-mile pipeline from a hub near Corpus Christi into the Gulf of Mexico. The pipeline will connect with another natural gas pipeline from Mexico under the sea floor. The 28-page permit was a controversial move by the Trump administration, but it is an example of a business that must obtain federal permits to engage in business in a regulated industry.

State Permits

Depending on the nature of the business your company conducts, the state may require permits for your business or employees. For example, the Texas Department of State Health Services issues permits for food handlers, emergency medical personnel, athletic trainers, counselors and therapists, dieticians, and many other specialty certifications. The exact nature of your business will determine the specific permits your business and employees require. Have a business compliance attorney review your business operations for all potential areas of permit use.

Do you have all of the permits you need for your business? Give yourself some peace of mind — contact Weisblatt Law Firm today.

County Permits

Any business operating under a name other than the name filed with the Secretary of State must file a DBA (Doing Business As) Certificate with the county in which the business is conducted. The counties usually have a searchable database of the listed business names used. Filing a DBA does not secure or protect your business name.

Local regulations may also require you to obtain alarm permits, building permits, business licenses, tax permits, health permits, occupational permits, signage permits, or zoning permits. Because these requirements vary by city, consult with a local attorney who is familiar with the requirements for your specific area.

Common Licenses and Permits Needed to Start and Run a Business

Regardless of the type of business, most companies must acquire the same permits and licenses to legally begin operations. Some of these are briefly detailed below.

General License for Business

A general business license permits a business to engage in commercial activities within a particular jurisdiction. In Texas, there is no requirement to obtain a general business license at the state level. However, various local jurisdictions around the state require businesses to obtain these licenses. A business attorney ensures proper permit compliance in every jurisdiction where their clients conduct operations.

Building Permits

For many businesses, the issue of building permits never comes into play. They can simply rent a turnkey space and soon begin operations. Other businesses have to build or remodel facilities before they can open. In those cases, complex building permits are invariably required. These permits must be acquired in a timely manner to meet business goals and objectives.

Building permit delays can prove devastating to a business’s opening and continued operations. Revenue expectations must be altered when delays occur. With an experienced attorney managing permits, you get the peace of mind you need to run your business.

Zoning Permits

Cities, towns, and counties are zoned for specific activities. In residential zones, for example, activities that are permissible in commercial zones may not be allowed, and vice versa. As you might imagine, there are exceptions. Additionally, there are multiple types of zones within the various industrial, commercial, and residential zones.

Businesses must take care to operate according to zoning laws or face closures, loss of production, loss of revenue, and fines. Having a business lawyer handle zoning and other legal issues takes a great burden off your shoulders and frees up more time for business dealings.

Sales Tax Permit and EIN

Taxation is an integral part of any business dealing in the state of Texas. Business revenue generates significant tax revenue each year at all levels of government. For this reason, businesses within the state must obtain sales tax permits under many circumstances, including:

  • Sales or exchange of goods
  • Sales or changes of services
  • Leasing.

The permit must be obtained from the state’s comptroller. Your attorney can accomplish this task on your behalf.

An EIN is an employer identification number — also known as a federal tax identification number. Its purpose is to identify business entities for taxation purposes at the federal level. Several types of businesses must acquire an EIN before operating in the state. These businesses include:

  • Texas-formed corporations and partnerships
  • Businesses with employees
  • Businesses that are required to file certain types of tax returns, such as excise or employment returns.

In other words, most businesses end up needing an EIN. To know for sure whether your business needs one, consult with an attorney for answers.

An attorney will also help you manage issues relating to professional licensing and the procurement of certificates when required. For example, businesses offering personal services to others may have to handle professional licensing concerns. Additionally, businesses that purchase and resell used goods may benefit from obtaining a resale certificate.

Experienced Representation to Start Your Business Off Right

Running a business can be stressful, with no guarantee of financial returns.

But attorney Andrew Weisblatt has helped business owners build and run their businesses effectively for more than 25 years. The Weisblatt Law Firm offers compliance advice for businesses of all sizes. If you conduct business in the Houston area — or if you will in the near future — attorney Andrew Weisblatt is the one you can trust.

Call (713) 666-1981 or email us through our online contact form to schedule your free phone consultation with an experienced Texas business attorney today. We will ensure your business plan is both compliant and profitable.

Houston Business Contracts Attorney

Attorney Andrew Weisblatt

Mr. Weisblatt has practiced continuously since becoming licensed in 1992 and has represented businesses ranging in size from one person start-up ventures to multi-national corporations employing hundreds of people in multiple countries. From 2005 through 2009 Mr. Weisblatt was in-house counsel and chief operating officer of a multi-national corporation in the steel products industry. That in-house position provided valuable insight into how businesses work and what they actually need from their lawyers – both in-house and outside counsel. Attorney Bio