by Jan Triplett, Ph.D., Director of Business Development, Chief Operations Officer of the Business Success Center
This
checklist is designed to help the new business owner in Austin and Travis County
obtain information about licenses, permits, and inspections required by various
government agencies. It is intended as a general guide and does not include
everything the new business owner needs to know and do. Before opening a business,
the owner should obtain legal counsel and contact the appropriate city, county,
and state offices for specific information.
1.
Certificates and information pertaining to the filing of Articles of Incorporation
in Texas and certificates for corporations doing business under assumed names
are available from the Secretary of State.
Corporations
Section
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 13697 78711
(512) 463-5555
2. If the business will operate under an assumed name, that name should be filed with the Travis County Clerk. Prior to filing, check the records in the County Clerk's office to see if any other business is currently operating under that name.
Travis
County Clerk's Office
Travis County Courthouse
10th W. 6th St. 78701
(512) 463-4600
3.
Contact the State Comptroller's Office for information on sales and franchise
taxes.
State Comptroller's Office
111 W. 6th St. 78701
(512) 463-4600
4.
Information about licenses and fees pertaining to storage, transportation or
sale of alcoholic beverages can be obtained from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage
Commission.
Licenses
and permits
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
PO Box 13127 78711
(512) 206-3360
5.
Businesses involved in food handling, procession, packaging, and warehousing
must have City of Austin Health Permits. Certain operations must be inspected
and licensed by the Health Department.
City
of Austin
Environmental Health Services Department
15 Waller St. 78702
(512) 469-2015
6. The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hours Division administers certain federal labor laws that may apply to new businesses including minimum wage, overtime, and child labor regulations. Telephone inquiries are answered Wednesdays from 9 am to noon at (512) 916-5638.
Texas Workforce Commission for laws and regulations
Salary.com
Jobstar.org
Monster.com
stats.bls.gov/oco
7.
The City of Austin Planning and Development Department is responsible for
administering building regulations, issuing building permits, conducting inspections
and overseeing zoning regulations. Signs for advertising purposes may also require
permits.
City
of Austin
Planning and Development Department
301 W. 2nd 78702
(512) 499-2855
8.
Information about loan programs which assist small businesses may be obtained
by contacting the federal government's Small Business Administration or the
Business Success Center and its financial members.
Small
Business Administration
727 E. Durango
Room A-527
San Antonio, TX 78206
(210) 472-5900
Business Success Center
7600 Burnet Rd #130
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 933-1983
9.
Information concerning export procedures and regulations is provided by the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
Department
of Commerce
Export Trade Assistance Office
(512) 916-5939
10.
Information regarding federal and state occupational health and safety regulations
is available from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the
Texas Department of Health.
U.S.
Government
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(512) 916-5783
Texas
Department of Health
Division of Occupational Health
8407 Wall St. 78754
(5123) 834-6600
11.
Information on local area wages, salaries, and benefits can be obtained from
the Austin Public Library's Career Information Center.
Austin History Center
810 Guadalupe
(512) 499-7388
Salary.com
Jobstar.org
Monster.com
stats.bls.gov/oco
12.
The Texas Worker's Compensation Commission administers worker's compensation.
The law does not require businesses to carry a worker's compensation policy
in Texas. Such policies are sold through private insurance companies, and the
Texas Department of Insurance maintains a list of insurance companies qualified
to write them.
Texas
Worker's Compensation Commission
4000 S. IH 35 78704
(512) 448-7900
Texas
Department of Insurance
Worker's Compensation Department
333 Guadalupe 78714
(512) 322-3490
13.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administers the Americans With
Disabilities Act of 1990, which mandates nondiscrimination in employment and
commercial facilities for individuals with disabilities. General information
about the Act's requirements is available at the Austin Public Library's Central
locations, 800 Guadalupe. Further inquiries should be directed to an E.E.O.C.
Field Office.
Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 229-4810
Governor’s
Committee on People with Disabilities
(512) 463-5739
14.
Information about commercial utility connections, fees and services can be obtained
from:
Electric,
water, and waste water - City of Austin 476-7721
Natural
gas - Southern Union Gas Co. 477-6461
15.
The City of Austin Fire Department administers the fire code, overseeing compliance
and conducting inspections. For information about fire code requirements contact:
Code
Compliance 448-8310
Inspections 448-8311
16. Bank Account. For your protection, cash flow control and for tax purposes it is strongly recommended that you establish a separate bank account for any and all businesses you operate.
17. The IRS conducts workshops on a regular basis on tax issues. For dates, times and locations, contact irs.gov.
18. The City of Austin maintains a calendar of dates of small business events through its Small Business Assistance Center. For more information go to cityofaustin.org/sbdp/sbi_splist.htm.
19. Environmental regulations (air, water quality, etc.) are handled through the Environmental Protection Agency of the federal government and states have their own regulations. Be sure you are familiar with both.
TCEQ (Texas Commission on Enviromental Quality - formerly TNRCC) (for Texas ONLY)
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