Business Licensing & Operations in Waco, TX (2026)
5 verified business licensing & operations rules for Waco, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Operating a sexually oriented business in Waco requires a city license from the building official, and the establishment must sit at least 600 feet from homes, schools, churches, parks, and any other adult business. It is barred outright from R, O, C-1, and M zoning districts.
Waco Sexually Oriented Business Permit and 600-Foot Location Rule
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 28-946 (Location restricted)
A person commits an offense if he causes or permits the establishment of a sexually oriented business, as those terms are defined in section 20-2, and such is located within: (1) Six hundred feet of any lot used for residential purposes ... or within 600 feet of an R zoning district; (2) Six hundred feet of any premises of a public or private, elementary or secondary school, institution of high...
Tobacco Retail License
Waco's zoning code treats a "smoke shop" (any premises where tobacco or vaping products account for more than 20 percent of floor space or sales) as a use requiring locational clearance. In the C-3 general commercial district, a new smoke shop cannot open within 500 feet of a school, day care center, park, or another smoke shop, a rule the city repeats district by district.
Waco Smoke Shops Barred Within 500 Feet of Schools
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 28-653(d)
A smoke shop located in the C-3 district shall be at least 500 feet from any lot used for a school, day care center, park, or any other smoke shop.
Secondhand Dealers
Waco requires metal recycling entities, junk dealers, and secondhand dealers to log every regulated-metal purchase in a police-approved, real-time electronic database, verify the seller's age with photo ID, and hold the item unaltered for 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, before it can be sold or dismantled.
Waco Junk and Metal Dealer 72-Hour Hold Rule
Significant RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 13-331(a)
(a)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, no regulated metals purchased or otherwise received shall be sold, removed, dismantled, defaced, or in manner altered or disposed of from the place of business of any metal recycling entity, junk dealer or secondhand dealer within 72 hours after the same has been purchased or acquired, excluding weekends and holidays....
Pawnbrokers
Waco pawnbrokers, along with secondhand stores, salvage dealers, and junk dealers, cannot accept used merchandise between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and must hold every item unaltered in the local store for at least ten days before selling, disposing of, or moving it out of the city.
Waco Pawnbroker Hours and Ten-Day Hold Rule
Significant RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances §§ 13-308—13-309
Sec. 13-308. It shall be unlawful for any pawnbroker, salvage and wrecking dealer, secondhand store or junk dealer to accept delivery of any secondhand or used merchandise after 6:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. Sec. 13-309. All property shall be held in an unaltered condition in the local store or warehouse for a period of at least ten days before it is sold or disposed of or moved out of the city.
Towing Companies
Waco's wrecker ordinance bars tow operators from moving a wrecked vehicle from an accident scene without the owner's consent unless a police officer directs the removal for safety or property protection. Wreckers must also display an identification sign, and any yard storing towed vehicles must be fenced.
Waco Non-Consent Towing and Wrecker Rules
Some RestrictionsWaco, Tex., Code of Ordinances § 13-131
...it shall be unlawful for the operator of any vehicle equipped with a crane, hoist, winch or towing device who has answered a call to, or is attending the scene of any collision or accident of one or more vehicles on any highway or street in the city to remove or attempt to remove any vehicle involved in such collision or accident, or in any way to interfere with or change the position of any...