Amarillo's Business Licensing & Operations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles business licensing & operations a little differently. In Amarillo, Texas, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Towing Companies

Amarillo caps non-consent tow fees at $210-$459 by vehicle weight under Sec. 10-3-111, bars kickbacks between property owners and towing companies, and requires 24 hours of posted signage before a private-property tow. Fee study reviews happen bi-annually before the City Council.

Key details: Max tow fee (≤10,000 lbs): $210.00. Max tow fee (25,000+ lbs): $459.00. Sign posting requirement: 24 hours before towing. Fee review cycle: Bi-annual, by Council resolution. Repeat-offense fine: Doubles, then triples, within 24 months.

Under Sec. 10-3-113, violating any non-consent towing provision (other than the reserved Division 2) is punishable by a fine of $200.00 to $500.00 per offense, with the minimum fine doubled for a second conviction of the same offense within 24 months and tripled for a third or later conviction, capped at the $500.00 maximum. A separate offense is charged for each vehicle towed in violation. Criminal prosecution does not bar the City Attorney from pursuing civil remedies as well.

Compared to other cities, Amarillo takes a harder line on towing companies. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Secondhand Dealers

Any Amarillo secondhand dealer holding a state sales tax permit must keep a daily record book naming each item received and the seller's identifying details, open to police inspection at any reasonable time, with alterations to the book banned outright.

Key details: Who must comply: Secondhand dealers with state sales tax permit. Record required: Daily entry per item, plus seller ID. Seller ID needed: Driver's license or SSN number. Alteration ban: Cannot alter/obliterate record entries. Police access: Books open at any reasonable time.

Chapter 14-7 does not print a standalone penalty section, so violations, including failure to keep required records, altering entries under Section 14-7-3, or denying police access under Section 14-7-4, are punished under the citywide general penalty in Section 1-1-5(a): a fine up to $500 per offense, with each day a violation continues charged as a separate offense.

Adult Entertainment

In Amarillo, an adult business must sit at least 1,000 feet from homes, churches, schools, hospitals, child-care facilities, parks, hotels, and any other adult business, and it needs a specific use permit through the city's zoning code.

Key details: Separation distance: 1,000 feet minimum. Permit: Specific use permit required. Governing section: Zoning Code § 4-10-152. Measurement: Straight line, all directions. Enforcing agency: Amarillo Planning Department.

Operating an adult business inside the 1,000-foot buffer or without the required specific use permit is a zoning violation prosecuted in Amarillo Municipal Court, carrying fines up to $2,000 per day plus abatement of the use.

Compared to other cities, Amarillo takes a harder line on adult entertainment. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tobacco Retail License

Amarillo has no independent local vape-retail licensing ordinance. E-cigarette retailers in Amarillo must comply with Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 147, which requires a state-issued permit for each retail location effective January 1, 2022.

Key details: Local vape-retail license: None: state permit required. State permit law: TX H&S Code Ch. 147. Permit fee: $180 per location (biennial). Max penalty (state): Up to $2,000 per day.

Selling e-cigarettes without a state permit carries a civil penalty up to $2,000 per day per location under Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 147.0151. Criminal charges are also possible.

Amarillo is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tobacco retail license. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Amarillo is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Amarillo, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Amarillo's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.