Business Licensing & Operations in Richardson, TX (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Richardson, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Richardson requires a city sexually oriented business license and makes it an offense to operate any adult business within 1,250 feet of a church, school, day-care, park, residential lot or district, or TABC-licensed premises, or within 500 feet of another adult business.
Richardson Sexually Oriented Business Permit and Location Rules
Significant RestrictionsRichardson Code of Ordinances, ch. 12, art. VI, § 12-163(b) (Location of sexually oriented businesses)
(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates or causes to be operated, within the city limits, a sexually oriented business within 1,250 feet of any of the following...: (1) A religious institution, church, synagogue, mosque, temple...; (2) A public or private educational facility, including, but not limited to, child day-care facilities, nursery schools, preschools, kindergarten...; ...
Massage Establishments
Massage establishments cannot open in Richardson without a special permit issued by the city council, and only inside a nonresidential or non-apartment zoning district. The permit follows a public hearing and plan commission recommendation, and the council can attach conditions an operator must satisfy before getting a certificate of occupancy.
Richardson Massage Establishment Special Permit
Significant RestrictionsRichardson, Tex., Code of Ordinances, App. A (Zoning Ordinance), Art. XXII-A, §§ 1(a), 2(b)(38)
(a)The City Council of the City of Richardson, Texas, may, after public hearing and proper notice to all parties affected, and after recommendation from the city plan commission containing such requirements and safeguards as are necessary to protect adjoining property, as well as the public health, safety, morals and general welfare, authorize the location of special permit uses in specified di...
Tobacco Retail License
Richardson does not license vape shops directly, but it treats an 'electronic-cigarette establishment' as a special permit use under the zoning ordinance, meaning a shop built around selling or letting customers vape on-site can open only in specific commercial districts after city council approval, not by-right anywhere.
Richardson E-Cigarette Shop Zoning Permit
Significant RestrictionsRichardson, Tex., Code of Ordinances, Appx. A (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) Art. XXII-A, § 2(a),(b)(15)
(a)Any use which is not contrary to city, county, state, or federal laws and which is not listed as an allowed use in the comprehensive zoning ordinance shall hereby be deemed a special permit use in any district and subject to the provisions of this article.(b)The following uses may be authorized by special permit in the specified districts upon compliance with all of the requirements of this ...
Secondhand Dealers
Richardson requires anyone who buys electronics, tools, jewelry, precious metals, firearms or other used goods for resale to log the seller's ID, fingerprints and a description of each item, then hold it 20 business days before reselling. Article V, sections 13-125 through 13-129, targets trafficking in stolen property.
Richardson Used-Goods Dealer Recordkeeping Rule
Some RestrictionsRichardson, Tex., Code of Ordinances §§ 13-126, 13-127(2)d
Regulated property means new or used: (1)Electronic equipment;(2)Business machines;(3)Cameras, video and photographic equipment;(4)Power tools;(5)Musical instruments;(6)Firearms;(7)Jewelry;(8)Crafted precious metals;(9)Computers, radios, telecommunications equipment;(10)Electronic storage devices; or(11)Lawn maintenance equipment. ... Retain possession of the regulated property purchased and wi...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Richardson's home occupation rules flatly prohibit repairing or servicing vehicles, engines, or large equipment as a home-based business. The only exception is work an owner or tenant does on their own vehicle for personal use; a repair shop, detailing operation, or mechanic side business run from a residence is an illegal home occupation.
Richardson Bans Home Auto Repair Business
Heavy RestrictionsRichardson, Tex., Code of Ordinances, App. A (Zoning Ordinance), Art. XXII-E, § 10(a)(1), (13)
(a)Home occupation: A home occupation that is not a home-based business (no impact) shall be subject to and operate in compliance with the following:(1)The home occupation shall be (i) incidental and secondary to the primary use of the premises as a residence, and (ii) customarily conducted in a residential dwelling unit; ... (13)The repair or service of vehicles, internal combustion engines, l...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Richardson city rules.
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