Business Licensing & Operations in Arlington, TX (2026)
4 verified business licensing & operations rules for Arlington, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Arlington licenses sexually oriented businesses under Chapter 4 of the City Code with strict 1,000-foot buffers from churches, schools, parks, and residential zones. Operators and employees must obtain individual permits and pass background checks.
Sexually oriented businesses heavily zoned
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Local Government Code Sec. 243.003 (Municipal Regulation of Sexually Oriented Businesses)
Sec. 243.003. AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. (a) A municipality by ordinance or a county by order of the commissioners court may adopt regulations regarding sexually oriented businesses as the municipality or county considers necessary to promote the public health, safety, or welfare.(b) A regulation adopted by a municipality applies only inside the municipality's corporate limits.(c) A regulation adop...
Massage Establishments
Massage establishments in Arlington must hold a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation license and a city certificate of occupancy. Therapists need individual TDLR licenses; the city inspects for human-trafficking compliance.
Massage businesses need state license + city permit
Some RestrictionsTexas Occupations Code Sec. 455.005 (Massage Therapy — Effect on Local Law)
Sec. 455.005. EFFECT ON LOCAL LAW. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), this chapter supersedes any regulation adopted by a political subdivision of this state relating to the licensing or regulation of massage therapists. (b) ...this chapter does not affect a local regulation that: (1) relates to: (A) zoning requirements, including conditional use permits; (B) hours of operation; or (C) o...
Tobacco Retail License
Tobacco retailers must hold a Texas Comptroller cigarette and tobacco permit. Sales to anyone under 21 are prohibited under Texas Health and Safety Code 161.0815, with exceptions for active military.
Tobacco retailers need state permit; sales 21+
Some RestrictionsTexas Health and Safety Code Sec. 161.0901 (Disciplinary Action Against Tobacco Retailers)
Sec. 161.0901. DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST CIGARETTE, E-CIGARETTE, AND TOBACCO PRODUCT RETAILERS. (a) A retailer is subject to disciplinary action as provided by this section if an agent or employee of the retailer commits an offense under this subchapter. (b) If the comptroller finds, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing...that a permit holder has violated this subchapter at a place o...
Secondhand Dealers
Arlington secondhand dealers and pawn shops must register with APD, photograph and report all purchased items daily through the LeadsOnline system, and hold inventory for at least 15 days to allow stolen-property recovery.
Pawn and secondhand dealers report daily
Heavy RestrictionsTexas Finance Code Sec. 371.002, 371.005, and 371.051 (Texas Pawnshop Act)
Sec. 371.005. REGULATORY AUTHORITY. The legislature has exclusive authority regarding the operation of pawnshops, except for a matter delegated by this chapter to the commissioner. The commissioner has the authority to regulate only a business practice that requires a pawnshop license. Sec. 371.051. PAWNSHOP LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may not engage in business as a pawnbroker unless the person...
Looking for Tarrant County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Arlington city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Tarrant County →