Business Licensing & Operations in San Antonio, TX (2026)
6 verified business licensing & operations rules for San Antonio, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
San Antonio licenses sexually oriented businesses under San Antonio Municipal Code Chapter 21 and zones them through Unified Development Code Section 35-373, requiring annual permits, manager screening, and 1,000-foot buffers from churches, schools, parks, residences, and other SOBs.
San Antonio Sexually Oriented Business Rules in SAMC and UDC
Heavy RestrictionsTex. Local Government Code § 243.007
(a) A municipality or county may require that an owner or operator of a sexually oriented business obtain a license or other permit or renew a license or other permit on a periodic basis for the operation of a sexually oriented business.
Massage Establishments
Massage therapists and establishments in San Antonio must hold Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation credentials under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455. SAPD Vice and Code Enforcement target illicit parlors through joint inspections, zoning checks, and human-trafficking referrals to Bexar County.
Massage Establishment Rules in San Antonio Under TDLR
Some RestrictionsTex. Occupations Code § 455.151
(a) Unless the person is exempt from the licensing requirement, a person may not act as a massage therapist, massage school, massage therapy instructor, or massage establishment unless the person holds an appropriate license issued under this chapter.(b) Unless the person is exempt from the licensing requirement, a person may not represent that the person is a massage therapist, massage school,...
Tobacco Retail License
Every San Antonio retailer selling cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, or alternative nicotine must hold an annual Texas Comptroller permit under Tax Code Chapter 154 and Health and Safety Code Chapter 161. State preemption bars San Antonio from imposing a separate city tobacco license.
Tobacco Retailer Permit Rules for San Antonio Stores
Some RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code § 161.0825
(a) In this section, "transaction scan device" means a device capable of deciphering electronically readable information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or identification certificate.(b) A person may access electronically readable information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or identification certificate for the purpose of complying with Section 161.082.(c...
Secondhand Dealers
San Antonio secondhand dealers, including used-jewelry buyers, used-merchandise stores, and metal recyclers, must register under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 and report transactions to SAPD's Pawn Detail through LeadsOnline within 48 hours to support stolen-property recovery.
San Antonio Secondhand Dealer Rules and LeadsOnline Reporting
Some RestrictionsTex. Occupations Code Sec. 1956.061
Sec. 1956.061. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS AND ORDINANCES. This subchapter does not: (1) excuse noncompliance with another state law or municipal ordinance covering the reporting, holding, or releasing of crafted precious metal; (2) prohibit a municipality from enacting, amending, or enforcing an ordinance relating to a dealer; or (3) supersede a municipal ordinance except to the extent the ordinance ...
Pawnbrokers
Pawnbrokers operating in San Antonio must hold a Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner license under Texas Finance Code Chapter 371. Maximum interest is roughly 20% per month on small pawns, items must be held 30 days, and SAPD monitors transactions through LeadsOnline.
Pawnbroker Licensing Rules in San Antonio
Some RestrictionsTex. Finance Code Secs. 371.051 - 371.052
Sec. 371.051. PAWNSHOP LICENSE REQUIRED. A person may not engage in business as a pawnbroker unless the person holds a pawnshop license. Sec. 371.052. ELIGIBILITY. (a) To be eligible for a pawnshop license, an applicant must: (1) meet the net assets requirement of Section 371.072; and (2) show that: (A) the pawnshop will be operated lawfully and fairly under this chapter; and (B) the applicant ...
Towing Companies
San Antonio towing companies must hold a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation license under Occupations Code Chapter 2308 plus a city wrecker permit under SAMC Chapter 19. Nonconsent tow rates are capped, signage is required at every lot entrance, and storage fees are limited.
San Antonio Towing Company Permit and Rate Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Occupations Code § 2308.151
(a) Unless the person holds an appropriate license under this subchapter, a person may not:(1) perform towing operations; or(2) operate a towing company.(b) Unless prohibited by a local authority under Section 2308.2085, a person may:(1) perform booting operations; and(2) operate a booting company. Added by
Looking for Bexar County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Antonio city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Bexar County →