Home Business in Houston, TX (2026)
2 verified home business rules for Houston, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Signage Rules
Houston's Chapter 46 Sign Code regulates all signage within city limits. Home-based businesses generally cannot display commercial signage without a Certificate of Occupancy. Each business is limited to five signs total under the Sign Code.
Houston Home Business Signage (Chapter 46 Sign Code)
Light RestrictionsTexas Transportation Code Sec. 394.001(1), 394.0201(c) (On-Premise Sign - No State License Required)
Sec. 394.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "On-premise sign" means a freestanding sign identifying or advertising a business, person, or activity, and installed and maintained on the same premises as the business, person, or activity. ... Sec. 394.0201. ERECTING OFF-PREMISE SIGN WITHOUT LICENSE; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person wilfully erects or maintains an of...
Home Daycare
Home daycares in Houston are regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) under Human Resources Code Chapter 42, not by city ordinance. Three permit tiers exist: Listed Family Home (up to 3 unrelated children), Registered Home (up to 6), and Licensed Home (7-12).
Houston Home Daycare Regulations
Light RestrictionsTexas Human Resources Code Sec. 42.041(a), (b)(10) (Required License - Family Home Exemption)
Sec. 42.041. REQUIRED LICENSE. (a) No person may operate a child-care facility or child-placing agency without a license issued by the department. (b) This section does not apply to: ... (10) a family home, whether registered or listed; ... Sec. 42.002. ... (9) "Family home" means a home that provides regular care in the caretaker's own residence ...
Looking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Houston city rules.
Home Business in Harris County →