Business Licensing & Operations in Travis County, TX (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Travis County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Travis County regulates adult-oriented businesses in unincorporated areas through state law and county location restrictions, requiring sexually oriented business permits, age 21 staff, and minimum distance from schools, churches, and homes.
Adult Entertainment Business Licensing
Some RestrictionsTex. Loc. Gov't Code Sec. 243.003, 243.006
Sec. 243.003. AUTHORITY TO REGULATE. (a) A municipality by ordinance or a county by order of the commissioners court may adopt regulations regarding sexually oriented businesses as the municipality or county considers necessary to promote the public health, safety, or welfare. Sec. 243.006. SCOPE OF REGULATION. (a) The location of sexually oriented businesses may be: (1) restricted to particula...
Massage Establishments
Massage therapy and establishments in Travis County are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation under Occupations Code Chapter 455, with county zoning and TCHHS oversight for unincorporated locations.
Massage Establishment Licensing
Some RestrictionsTex. Occ. Code Sec. 455.005
Sec. 455.005. EFFECT ON LOCAL LAW. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), this chapter supersedes any regulation adopted by a political subdivision of this state relating to the licensing or regulation of massage therapists. (b) Subject to Subsections (b-1), (c), (c-1), and (c-2), this chapter does not affect a local regulation that: (1) relates to: (A) zoning requirements, including conditi...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Tattoo and body piercing studios in Travis County need a Texas Department of State Health Services license under Health and Safety Code Chapter 146, with mandatory minor-consent rules, sterilization standards, and county zoning compliance.
Tattoo and Body Piercing Studios
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 146.002
Sec. 146.002. LICENSE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not conduct, operate, or maintain a tattoo studio unless the person holds a license issued by the department to operate the tattoo studio. Except as provided by Section 146.0025, a person may not conduct, operate, or maintain a body piercing studio unless the person holds a license issued by the department to operate the body piercing studio. (b)...
Tobacco Retail License
Texas requires e-cigarette retailers to hold a state e-cigarette retailer permit issued by the Comptroller, with FDA premarket authorization for products, and Travis County does not add a separate local vape permit.
Vape and E-Cigarette Retail Permits
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 161.082
Sec. 161.082. SALE OF CIGARETTES, E-CIGARETTES, OR TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO PERSONS YOUNGER THAN 21 YEARS OF AGE PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person, with criminal negligence: (1) sells, gives, or causes to be sold or given a cigarette, e-cigarette, or tobacco product to someone who is younger than 21 years of age; or (2) sells, gives, or causes to be sold or given a cigarette,...
Secondhand Dealers
Secondhand dealers and metal recyclers in Travis County must follow Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 reporting rules, hold-period requirements, and seller identification, with TCSO accessing transaction databases for stolen-property investigations.
Secondhand Dealer and Pawnshop Reporting
Light RestrictionsTex. Occ. Code Sec. 1956.003, 1956.039
Sec. 1956.003. LOCAL LAW; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A county, municipality, or political subdivision of this state may adopt a rule, charter, or ordinance or issue an order or impose standards that are more stringent than but do not conflict with this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. (a-1) A county, municipality, or other political subdivision may require the record of purchase describe...
Towing Companies
A towing company cannot pick up non-consent tows for the Travis County Sheriff's Office without a spot on its Rotation List. Getting listed means running 24-hour service, holding a state permit, keeping a place of business in the county, and charging no more than the fee cap the Commissioners Court sets by order.
Travis County Non-Consent Towing Rotation Rules
Significant RestrictionsTravis County Code §§ 269.001, 269.002
269.001 Travis County Sheriff's Office Non-Consent Towing Rotation List When a Travis County Deputy determines that the owner or operator of a vehicle requiring towing from a scene is unable to select a towing company for any reason, the Deputy will request that a towing company be selected from the Travis County Sheriff's Office Non-Consent Towing Rotation List. In order to be placed on the To...
Business Licensing & Operations by City in Travis County
2 cities in Travis County have their own business licensing & operations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Travis County ordinances
See every category we cover for Travis County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Travis County Ordinance Hub →