Business Licensing & Operations in Killeen, TX (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Killeen, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Killeen confines every adult oriented business to one of two mapped B-5 zoning parcels, near Roy Reynolds Drive and State Highway 195, and requires a permit from the Director of Planning and Development before the doors open.
Killeen Adult Oriented Business Permit and Zoning Limits
Significant RestrictionsKilleen, Tex., Code of Ordinances ch. 31, art. V, div. 5, §§ 31-552, 31-555 (Adult Oriented Businesses)
§ 31-552: "It is an offense for one to operate or cause to be operated an adult oriented business without a valid permit ...." § 31-555(1)(H): permit denied where "[t]he proposed premises is located somewhere other than a properly designated B-5 zoning use district which is: 1. Within a rectangular parcel of approximately 93.146 acres ... east of the east right-of-way of Roy Reynolds Drive ...;...
Secondhand Dealers
Any Killeen business that buys, trades or sells used precious metals, electronics, musical instruments, luggage or other secondhand goods needs a two-year license from the Killeen Police Department Records Section before opening, under City Code Sec. 15-100 and Sec. 15-101. The city manager can deny or revoke that license for a prior theft, fraud or evidence-tampering conviction.
Killeen Secondhand Dealers Need a Police-Issued License
Significant RestrictionsKilleen, Tex., Code of Ordinances §§ 15-100, 15-101 (Secondhand Dealers)
Secondhand dealer or dealer shall mean a person, partnership or corporation whose business at any location or site, including internet based businesses, consists of the collecting, handling, buying, trading or selling of used or secondhand merchandise from precious metals, gems, luggage, musical instruments, firearms as defined by Texas Penal Code, electronics and other wares and merchandise ha...
Pawnbrokers
Killeen doesn't issue its own pawnbroker license, that's handled by the state, but it does require every licensed pawn shop in the city to hand the police chief a complete copy of its transaction log every Monday by noon, the same reporting duty imposed on secondhand dealers.
Killeen Pawn Shops File Weekly Police Reports
Some RestrictionsKilleen, Tex., Code of Ordinances Sec. 15-109 (with Sec. 15-100(d))
Sec. 15-109. - Weekly report to be furnished to police department. All secondhand dealers and licensed pawn shops shall furnish a weekly report to the chief of police which consists of a full and complete legible copy of their log forms, as required under this article, by each Monday at 12:00 noon, or in the case where Monday is a holiday, the next business day at 12:00 noon. Dealers who choose...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Killeen's home occupation ordinance flatly excludes vehicle repair work from the businesses a resident can run out of a house. Sec. 31-186(13)c.7.(iv) lists "automobile, boat or trailer paint or repair shops (major or minor)" among the uses a home occupation "shall not in any event be deemed to include," so no permit or variance can authorize one at a residence.
Killeen Bans Auto Repair Shops as Home Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsKilleen, Tex., Code of Ordinances Sec. 31-186(13)c.7.(iv)
7.Permitted home occupations shall not in any event be deemed to include:(i)Animal hospitals or clinics, commercial stables, or commercial kennels;(ii)Schools of instruction of any kind with more than one (1) pupil at a time unless such school was established prior to the date of passage of this section;(iii)Restaurants;(iv)Automobile, boat or trailer paint or repair shops (major or minor);(v)D...
Towing Companies
Killeen requires every non-consent tow company that wants police-directed work to hold a police rotation list permit issued by the chief of police. Operators need a $20,000 garage-keeper's policy, $100,000/$300,000 liability coverage, and a background-checked driver's permit. Fees are capped by ordinance: $175 for a light tow, up to $800 for heavy-duty, plus storage and mileage.
Killeen Wrecker Rotation List Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsKilleen, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 28-59 (Selection of tow services during police investigations); see also §§ 28-63, 28-71-28-76
In all police-initiated towing of vehicles, the operator of the vehicle, if present and not incapacitated, shall have the right to select a tow service of his choice to perform the service. If the operator of the vehicle to be towed is not present or is incapacitated or has no preference as to any towing service, the police officer ordering the tow shall request that the towing service be perfo...
Looking for Bell County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Killeen city rules.
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