It is difficult to find a business that does not require some type of license or permit to lawfully operate in the state of Texas. In fact, the state government website has 78 pages of different types of licenses for which business owners and individuals can apply and renew. In addition, localities may have extra requirements for permits based on the location and nature of your operations.
While licenses and permits allow the government to track companies, they are also intended to protect consumers and the public in general. For example, any food-producing business must have permits to ensure their practices are sanitary and their food products are safe for consumption. Similarly, establishments that serve alcohol must meet all the requirements to do so and be approved for a license by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Certain professionals must have licenses that demonstrate they have the requisite training and education to perform the services they offer. This applies to many business owners including lawyers, doctors, accountants, investment brokers, dentists, and more.
Permits may also be necessary if your business occupies commercial space. Your locality will want to ensure your building is up to all relevant safety codes for fire safety, plumbing, electrical work, and more.
Because licenses and permits keep Texans safe, the government takes violations of license and permit requirements very seriously. If you operate a business without the necessary licenses or permits or allow them to expire, you can face financial penalties and your business may even be shut down. In some cases, professionals may be barred from obtaining a future license. For this reasons, compliance is highly important.
Contact a Houston Business Attorney for Assistance Today
It can be challenging to know all of the applicable licenses and permits you need for your business and many small business owners do not realize they are not in compliance until it is too late and they are facing penalties from the state. Avoid the chance of such penalties by discussing the needs of your company with an experienced Houston business attorney. At The Weisblatt Law Firm LLC, we help businesses of all sizes succeed, so please call to learn more at 713-666-1981.
2https://www.tabc.state.tx.us/
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
