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Rules & Licenses

Local Notes

Rules & Licenses notes

353 notes

Tarrant County · Alarm Permit

Alarm Permits in Unincorporated Tarrant County Go Through the Sheriff

A monitored alarm at a home or business outside city limits in Tarrant County needs a permit from the Sheriff's Office.

Tarrant County · Alcohol Permit

Alcohol Permits in Tarrant County Involve TABC and Local Offices

Selling alcohol in Tarrant County starts with TABC, then routes through local county offices for wet/dry certification and renewal fees.

Tarrant County · Outdoor Burning

Check the Burn Rules Before Outdoor Burning in Tarrant County

Outdoor burning in Tarrant County is a narrow unincorporated-area option, must follow TCEQ rules, and stops during a county burn ban.

Tarrant County · Invasive Species

Drain First, Then Clean and Dry the Boat

Eagle Mountain Lake has zebra mussels. Texas rules require drained water and removal of visible prohibited species; cleaning and drying add another layer of protection.

Tarrant County · Business Filing

Filing a DBA or Assumed Name in Tarrant County

An unincorporated business operating under a name other than the owner's files that DBA with the Tarrant County Clerk.

Tarrant County · Fireworks Permit

Fireworks Stands and Displays Need Tarrant County Fire Marshal Review

Unincorporated Tarrant County fireworks stands, stores, displays, and launch sites need Fire Marshal inspection and permits.

Tarrant County · Food Permit

Food Establishments Need the Right Tarrant County Health Permit

Tarrant County Public Health permits and inspects food establishments in its jurisdiction, but city requirements may still apply.

Tarrant County · Game Room

Game Rooms Have a Tarrant County Permit Process

Tarrant County posts game room regulations and a permit application through the Sheriff's Office.

Tarrant County · Marriage License

Getting a Marriage License in Tarrant County

The Tarrant County Clerk issues marriage licenses, and a few timing and ID rules catch couples off guard.

Tarrant County · Pool Permit

Public Pools and Spas Are Permitted and Inspected in Tarrant County

Tarrant County Public Health permits and inspects public pools, spas, and interactive water features across many local jurisdictions.

Tarrant County · Short-Term Rentals

Short-Term Rentals in Fort Worth Have Strict Rules

Fort Worth does not allow short-term rentals (like Airbnb) in residential zoning districts. They are only permitted in commercial and mixed-use zones.

Tarrant County · Fishing License

When You Need a Texas Fishing License in Tarrant County

Most anglers age 17 or older need the right Texas fishing license and endorsement before fishing public water in Tarrant County.

Taylor County · Fishing License

Public-water fishing usually needs a Texas license

Most anglers 17 or older need a Texas fishing license and freshwater coverage, but TPWD lists state-park, private-water, age, and other exceptions.

Taylor County · Oil & Gas Regulation

The Railroad Commission regulates oil and gas in Taylor County

Taylor County is in RRC Oil and Gas District 7B; its maps help screen for nearby activity but do not replace records or a parcel survey.

Terrell County · Oil & Gas

Oil and Gas Activity Is Regulated by the Railroad Commission

Terrell County has oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) is the state agency that oversees all drilling and production activity here.

Tom Green County · DBA filing

A Tom Green County DBA starts a ten-year clock

The county clerk currently charges $23 for an assumed-name filing, but the business structure decides whether the county or state gets it.

Tom Green County · Building permits

Building Inside San Angelo Means a Trip to 52 W. College

Inside San Angelo, city permits apply; outside the city, county floodplain, septic, and subdivision review can still come before construction.

Tom Green County · Food permits

Confirm the food-permit desk before signing the lease

San Angelo and Tom Green County both publish food-permit services, so confirm which office has the address before applying.

Tom Green County · Marriage license

The marriage license belongs on the wedding calendar

The County Clerk issues marriage licenses at 124 W. Beauregard, but its posted hours and application cutoff can change by month.

Travis County · Alcohol Permit

Alcohol Permits in Austin Start With TABC, Then City Signoff

Austin businesses applying for a liquor license or beer permit through TABC must also get the Austin City Clerk's signature on the TABC form.

Travis County · ROW Permit

Austin Right-of-Way Work Needs a ROW Permit

Work in Austin's public right-of-way, or work that uses part of it, requires a City of Austin right-of-way permit.

Travis County · Business Filing

Filing a DBA in Travis County

Sole proprietors and partnerships register a business name with the County Clerk; LLCs and corporations file with the state instead.

Travis County · Food Permit

Food Businesses Need Austin Public Health Permits

Austin Public Health requires food businesses in its jurisdiction to get a permit, pass inspections, and renew the operational permit each year.

Travis County · Marriage License

Getting a Marriage License in Travis County

Both people apply together at the County Clerk's office downtown, then wait three days before the ceremony.

Travis County · Hunting & Fishing Licenses

Hunting and Fishing Licenses in Travis County

Texas requires a hunting or fishing license for most people, but you can fish free from the bank inside any Texas state park.

Travis County · Event Permit

Large Travis County Events May Need Fire Marshal Permits

The Travis County Fire Marshal handles special event and mass gathering permits, including event safety plans and related fire permits.

Travis County · Short-Term Rentals

Short-Term Rentals Inside Austin City Limits

If you rent your home for less than 30 days inside Austin, you need a city license — and the rules are detailed.

Travis County · Fire Permit

Some Austin Venues Need Fire Permits Before Opening

Austin Fire and the Office of the Fire Marshal issue permits for public assemblies, hazardous materials, fire protection systems, and prescribed burns.

Travis County · Event Food

Temporary Food Events Need a Permit in Austin-Travis County

Austin Public Health requires a temporary food event permit when food or drinks are offered to the public at an event.

Van Zandt County · Marriage License

A Van Zandt marriage license is by appointment — email the form first

You can't just walk into the courthouse for a marriage license here — the county clerk does them by appointment, and the application comes first.

Victoria County · Short-Term Rentals

Victoria is working on a short-term rental registration rule

The City of Victoria has been moving toward a rule requiring short-term rental hosts to register, pay a fee, and collect hotel occupancy tax. Check victoriatx.gov for whether it is final.

Walker County · Marriage license

Getting a Marriage License in Walker County

Walker County issues marriage licenses by appointment at the county clerk's office in Huntsville, and Texas has a 72-hour waiting period unless an exception applies.

Walker County · Hunting & Licenses

Public Hunting Access in Walker County

Hunters in Walker County can access tens of thousands of public acres through the Sam Houston National Forest WMA, but a Texas hunting license and TPWD annual public hunting permit are required.

Walker County · Outdoor burning

When Walker County Bans Outdoor Burning

Outdoor-burning restrictions in Walker County can change with drought and fire danger, so check the current status before burning brush or debris.

Walker County · DBA filing

Where Your Walker County DBA Actually Gets Filed

A Walker County sole proprietor or general partnership files a DBA with the county clerk, while LLCs and corporations file with the Texas Secretary of State.

Webb County · Marks & Brands

Record Livestock Marks and Brands With the Webb County Clerk

In ranch-heavy Webb County, a cattle brand only counts as proof of ownership if it's recorded with the County Clerk under Texas law.

Webb County · Fireworks Permit

Selling Fireworks in Webb County Starts With the Fire Marshal

If you want to run a fireworks stand or display in Webb County, the Fire Marshal posts the vendor application and compliance checklist you'll need first.

Wharton County · Hunting Licenses

What You Need to Hunt in Wharton County

All hunters in Texas aged 17 and older need a valid hunting license from TPWD, with additional tags required for deer, turkey, and other game.

Wichita County · Agriculture

Cattle and Wheat Farming Still Matter in Wichita County

Wichita County has hundreds of farms and ranches, with stocker cattle, cows, calves, wheat, and small grains as the main products.

Wichita County · Licenses

Texas Fishing and Hunting Licenses Apply Countywide

Anyone fishing or hunting in Wichita County needs a valid Texas license, with one exception: no license is needed to fish from shore or the pier inside Lake Arrowhead State Park.

Williamson County · Driveway Permit

A New Driveway Onto a County Road Needs a Permit

A driveway onto a Williamson County maintained road runs through the county permit process before the entrance gets built or changed.

Williamson County · Alarm Permit

Alarm Systems Outside City Limits Need a County Permit

The Williamson County Sheriff's Office requires an alarm permit for each system at a home or business outside incorporated city limits.

Williamson County · Burn Ban

Check Williamson's burn-ban page before you burn

Williamson County posts burn-ban status for unincorporated areas, and the answer can change with drought and wind.

Williamson County · Fireworks Permit

Fireworks Sales and Displays Go Through the Fire Marshal

Williamson County Fire Marshal permit pages cover fireworks stands, stand renewals, and fireworks display applications.

Williamson County · Event Permit

Large Events May Need a Williamson County Mass Gathering Permit

Williamson County's mass gathering process requires an early application and a county judge hearing before a qualifying large event.

Williamson County · 911 Addressing

New Rural Structures Need a Williamson County 9-1-1 Address

Williamson County GIS and 9-1-1 Addressing assigns the addresses you need for utilities, emergency response, and new rural development.

Williamson County · Septic Permit

Septic Systems in Williamson County Start With the OSSF Office

Williamson County regulates on-site sewage facilities for most of the county outside the City of Austin.

Williamson County · Subdivision Rules

Splitting Land Can Trigger Williamson County Plat Review

Williamson County applies subdivision regulations to new land-development applications in its jurisdiction, even outside city limits.

Williamson County · Jurisdiction Basics

Where You Live in Williamson County (City, ETJ, or Unincorporated) Matters

Your property's location, whether inside a city, in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, or in unincorporated county land, determines which rules and services apply to you.

Wise County · Zoning and Jurisdiction

Most of Wise County Is Unincorporated — Different Rules Apply

Land outside city limits in Wise County is unincorporated, meaning you follow county rules rather than city ordinances.

Wise County · Hunting

Wise County Deer Hunting Has a Specific Antler Rule

Hunters in Wise County can take up to four deer per season, but only one buck can have an inside spread of 13 inches or more.

Wise County · Invasive Species

Zebra Mussels in Lake Bridgeport Require You to Drain Your Boat

Lake Bridgeport is a zebra mussel-positive water body, meaning boaters must clean, drain, and dry before leaving.

Wood County · Fishing License

You Need a Texas Fishing License at Lake Fork

Any adult fishing public waters in Wood County, including Lake Fork, needs a valid Texas fishing license with a freshwater endorsement.