There are many local resources available to assist you in establishing and growing your business. Please contact the following organizations for information and guidance.

• Local Business Resources
• City Resources
• County Resources
• State Resources
• Federal Resources
• Local Economic Development Organizations
• Other Resources

Small Business Administration (SBA) - Houston Area
Aids, counsels, and protects the interests of small businesses. Provides assistance, training and funding to entrepreneurs interested in going into business or expanding their current business. Please visit our "Business Development" page for more information on the local SBA.

8701 S. Gessner Drive, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77074
713.773.6500
www.sba.gov/tx/hous

SCORE - Counselors to America's Small Businesses
Educates entrepreneurs and assists in the formation, growth and success of small businesses. SCORE volunteers are real-world professionals with time-tested knowledge who donate their time to counseling, workshops and seminars in an effort to help small businesses succeed. Please visit our "Business Development" page for more information on the local SCORE offices.

8701 S. Gessner, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77074
713.773.6565
www.scorehouston.org

University of Houston Small Business Development Center
Provides the tools and resources necessary to help businesses grow and compete. Offers business consulting and training seminars designed to help you attract customers, improve operations, increase sales and successfully access capital. There are 16 SBDC offices in the Greater Houston area. Please visit our "Business Development" page for more information.

2302 Fannin, Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77002
713.752.8444
www.sbdc.uh.edu

Houston Minority Business Development Center
2900 Woodridge, Suite 310
Houston, Texas 77087
713.644.0821
www.houstonmbdc.com

Houston Small Business Development Corporation
5330 Griggs Road
Houston, Texas 77021
713.845.2400
www.hsbdc.org

Houston Technology Center
410 Pierce Street
Houston, Texas 77002
713.658.1750
www.houstontech.org

Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston, Inc.
1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77027
713.868.9500
www.bbbhou.org

Texas Business Advisor
Tips for new business owners from the Texas Comptroller's Office.
www.cpa.state.tx.us/tba

Toastmasters
Participation in the Toastmasters Communication and Leadership program, people from all backgrounds learn to effectively speak, conduct a meeting, manage a department or business, lead, delegate, and motivate. Multiple locations in the Houston area.
www.toastmasters.org/find

Daily Court Review
Houston's Daily Business Newspaper Since 1889
www.dailycourtreview.com

• Houston
• Other Local Cities

900 Bagby Street, Houston, Texas 77002

General Information

713.837.0311

City of Houston One Stop Business Center
Provides FREE Getting Started Packet with city, county, state and federal regulations as well as license information & permit checklists.

City Hall Annex
900 Bagby Street, Public Level
713.247.2982
www.houstontx.gov/onestop

City of Houston Code Enforcement
Building and sign permits and inspections for all new construction, alterations, additions and repairs to commercial buildings. This department also permits change of building use or occupancy and parking lot paving and repairs.

3300 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
713.535.7800
www.publicworks.cityofhouston.gov/planning/enforcement

City of Houston Planning Department

Certificates of Occupancy	713.535.7730
Building Permits	713.535.7732
Sign Permits	713.535.7900

City of Houston Police Department
Inquire for permits relating to burglar and panic alarms; auto dealers, repair and part sales; auto storage; pawn shops; shooting galleries and ranges; firearms and sexually oriented businesses.

1200 Travis
Houston, Texas 77002
713.308.1200

City of Houston Police Department - Alarm Detail
Security alarm permits for commercial and/or residential properties.

1200 Travis
Houston, Texas 77002
713.308.1400
www.houstontx.gov/police/alarm_detail.htm

City of Houston Fire Marshal
Commercial and residential fire safety standards and codes; fire alarm permits.

2931 West 12th Street
Houston, Texas 77008
713.865.7100
www.houstontx.gov/fire/businessinfo/businessinfo.html

City of Houston Traffic & Transportation Department
Inquire for permits relating to parades, parking, barricades, street closings, sidewalk cafes and curb numbering.

713.837.7280

Houston Department of Health & Human Services
Monitors food safety and inspections and provides food manager classes. Oversees Smoking Ordinance.

8000 Stadium Drive, 2nd Floor
Houston, Texas 77054
713.794.9320
www.houstontx.gov/health

City of Houston Bureau of Consumer Health
Code enforcement, permits, Certificate of Occupancy, change of ownership, pre-opening inspections, food inspections, food safety tips, manager certifications, kitchen compliance standards, mobile food unit information, caterers instructions, and more.

8000 Stadium Drive, 2nd Floor
Houston, Texas 77054
713.794.9200
www.houstontx.gov/health/Food

Public Health Engineering Bureau
Inquire for permits relating to hazardous waste, swimming pools, landfills, underground storage tanks, sewage treatment plants, restaurant grease traps, and auto washing and detailing.

713.640.4399

Occupational Health Bureau
Inquire for permits relating to indoor air pollution sources, radiation, infectious and medical waste, licensed funeral homes, lasers and laser beam shows and lead based paint.

713.640.4399

City of Houston Smoking Ordinance
www.houstontx.gov/health/Environmental/smokingpage.html

216 West Sealy, Alvin, Texas 77511

General Information	281.388.4200
Permits & Inspections	281.388.4271
Code Enforcement	281.585.7167
Fire Marshal	281.585.7166
Health Inspector	281.585.7166

General Information	409.935.8348
Building Inspections	409.935.8348
Code Ordinance Inspection	409.935.0449

2401 Market Street, Baytown, Texas 77520

General Information	281.422.8281
Permits & Inspections	281.420.6537
Planning Department	281.420.5394
Fire Marshal	281.420.5874
Health Department	281.420.5384
Alcoholic Beverage Permit	281.420.6504

7008 South Rice Avenue, Bellaire, Texas 77401

General Information	713.662.8222
Planning & Inspections	713.662.8243
Fire Marshal	713.662.8203

300 West Davis, Conroe, Texas 77301

General Information	936.539.4431
Permits & Inspections	936.760.4683
Fire Marshal	936.760.4609

710 East San Augustine, Deer Park, Texas 77536

General Information	281.478.7201
Permits & Inspections	281.478.7270
Fire Prevention Bureau	281.478.7281

2716 FM 517 East, Dickinson, Texas 77539

General Information	281.337.2489
Permits & Inspections	281.337.6259
Fire Marshal	281.337.6261

910 South Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas 77546

General Information	281.996.3200
Permits	281.996.3206
Building Inspections	281.996.3201
Fire Marshal	281.996.3335
Liquor Licenses	281.996.3270

823 Rosenberg, Galveston, Texas 77533

General Information	409.797.3500
Permits & Inspections	409.797.3600
Fire Marshal	409.621.3190

114 West Higgins, Humble, Texas 77338

General Information	281.446.3061
Permits & Inspections	281.446.6228
Fire Marshal	281.446.4928

P.O. Box 5264, Jamaica Beach, Texas 77554

General Information	409.737.1142
Permits & Inspections	409.737.1142
Improvement Committee	409.789.8689
Fire Chief	409.737.3200

16501 Jersey Drive, Jersey Village, Texas 77040

General Information	713.466.2102
Permits & Inspections	713.466.2110
Fire Marshal	713.466.2131
Alcohol Licenses	713.466.2102

910 Avenue C, Katy, Texas 77493

General Information	281.391.4800
Permits & Inspections	281.391.4830
Fire Marshal	281.391.4830

1401 State Highway 146, Kemah, Texas 77565

General Information	281.334.1611
Building Permits	281.334.1611
Fire Marshal	281.538.5727

1111 Bayou Road, La Marque, Texas 77568

General Information	409.938.9200
Building Inspections	409.938.9204
Security Alarm Permits	409.938.9269
Fire Inspections / Prevention	409.938.9260

604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas 77571

General Information	281.471.5020
Permits & Inspections	281.471.5020
Fire Marshal	281.867.4603

300 West Walker, League City, Texas 77573

General Information	281.554.1000
Permits & Inspections	281.554.1429
Fire Marshal	281.554.1290

16835 FM 1488, Magnolia, Texas 77355

General Information	281.356.2266
Permits & Inspections	281.356.2266
Fire Department	281.356.3288

1522 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Texas 77489

General Information	281.261.4260
Permits & Inspections	281.261.4270
Fire Inspector	281.261.3136
Health Inspector	281.208.5553

1800 NASA Parkway, Nassau Bay, Texas 77058

General Information	281.333.4211
Permits & Inspections	281.333.4211
Fire Marshal	281.333.4211
Health Department	713.475.5529

1211 Southmore Avenue, Pasadena, Texas 77502

General Information	713.477.1511
Building Permits	713.475.5575
Fire Marshal	713.475.5556
Health Department	713.475.5529

3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland, Texas 77581

General Information	281.652.1600
Permits & Inspections	281.652.1701
Fire Marshal	281.652.1950
Health Department	281.485.5344

402 Morton Street, Richmond, Texas 77469

General Information	281.342.5456
Permits & Inspections	281.342.5456
Fire Marshal	281.342.5456

2110 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, Texas 77471

General Information	832.595.3400
Building Code Enforcement	832.595.3540
Fire Marshal	832.595.3606
Health Inspections & Permits	832.595.3550

12002 Highway 6, Santa Fe, Texas 77510

General Information	409.925.6412
Building / Permit Department	409.925.6412
Fire Marshal	409.925.6412

1700 First Street, Seabrook, Texas 77586

General Information	281.291.5600
Planning & Inspections	281.291.5600
Fire Marshal	281.291.5650

6309 Edloe Avenue, Houston, Texas 77005

General Information	713.668.2341
Planning & Inspections	713.668.2341
Fire Marshal	713.668.2341

1025 Campbell Road, Houston, Texas 77055

General Information	713.465.8308
Permits & Inspections	713.465.8308
Fire Marshal	713.468.7941

2610 South Main, Stafford, Texas 77477

General Information	281.261.3900
Building Code & Inspections	281.261.3943
Fire Marshal	281.261.3927
Health Department	281.261.3941

2700 Town Center Blvd. North, Sugar Land, Texas 77479

General Information	281.275.2270
Permits & Inspections	281.275.2320
Planning Department	281.275.2218
Fire Marshal	281.491.0852

1801 9th Avenue North, Texas City, Texas 77592

General Information	409.948.3111
Permits & Inspections	409.643.5945
Fire Department	409.643.5700

802 Tiki Drive, Tiki Island, Texas 77554

General Information	409.935.1427
Building Inspection	409.935.1427
Fire Marshal	409.933.3203

401 Market Street, Tomball, Texas 77375

General Information	281.351.5484
Permits & Inspections	281.351.5484
Fire Marshal	281.351.7101

101 Pennsylvania, Webster, Texas 77598

General Information	281.332.1826
Permits & Inspections	281.338.2925
Fire Marshal	281.333.2712
Environmental Health Department	281.316.4133

3800 University Blvd., West University Place, Texas 77005

General Information	713.668.4441
Permits & Inspections	713.662.5833
Alarm Permits	713.662.5860
Fire Department	713.662.5835

• Harris County
• Brazoria County
• Fort Bend County
• Galveston County
• Montgomery County

Harris County Clerk
Required permit: Assumed Name (DBA). Also liquor licenses.

1001 Preston, 4th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
713.755.6436
www.cclerk.hctx.net

Harris County Tax Office
Permits relating to motor vehicle registration, property taxes, and disabled parking permits.

1001 Preston
Houston, Texas 77002
713.368.2000
www.tax.co.harris.tx.us

Harris County Appraisal District
Required permit: Rendition of Business Personal Property. Also Inventory Declarations, Commercial Exemptions, and Non-Profit Exemptions.

13013 Northwest Freeway
Houston, Texas 77040
713.957.7800
www.hcad.org

Harris County Alarm Permit System
Security alarm permits.

9418 Jensen Drive, Suite A
Houston, Texas 77093
713.755.4600
www.coolice.hctx.net/cool-ice

Harris County Fire Marshal
Occupancy standards, fire safety permits and inspections.

480 North Sam Houston Parkway, Suite 105
Houston, Texas 77060
281.931.1085
www.co.harris.tx.us/fmarshal

Harris County Health Department
Pre-opening requirements for food establishments, blueprint specifications and compliance checklists.

2223 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027
713.439.6000
www.hd.co.harris.tx.us

111 East Locust Street, Angleton, Texas 77515

General Information

Central / West County	979.849.5711
South County	979.265.4261
North County	281.331.6101

Brazoria County Clerk's Office
Required Permit: Assumed Name (DBA).

111 East Locust Street, Suite 200
Angleton, Texas 77515
979.864.1355
www.brazoria.tx.us.landata.com

Brazoria County Appraisal District

500 North Chenango
Angleton, Texas 77515
979.849.7792
www.brazoriacad.org

Building Permits

Central / West County	979.864.1295
South County	979.388.1295
North County	281.756.1295

Health Department

Central / West County	979.864.1484
South County	979.388.1484
North County	281.756.1484

Alcohol Permits

Central / West County	979.864.1299
South County	979.388.1299
North County	281.756.1299

301 Jackson Street, Richmond, Texas 77469

Fort Bend County Clerk's Office
Required Permit: Assumed Name (DBA). Also Outdoor Lighting Ordinance.

301 Jackson Street, Suite 101
Richmond, Texas 77469
281.341.8685
www.co.fort-bend.tx.us/Admin_of_Justice/County_Clerk/

Fort Bend County Appraisal District

2801 B.F. Terry Boulevard (FM 2218)
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
281.344.8623
www.fbcad.org

Building Permits

1124 Blume Road
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
281.633.7500

Alarm Permits

Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office
1410 Ransom Road
Richmond, Texas 77469
281.341.4700

Fire Marshal

118 Legion Drive
Richmond, Texas 77469
281.238.1500

Health Department

4520 Reading Road, Suite A
Rosenberg, Texas 77471
281.342.7469

Alcohol Permits

Fort Bend County Tax Office
500 Liberty
Richmond, Texas 77469
281.341.4647

722 Moody, Galveston, Texas 77550

Galveston County Clerk's Office
Required Permit: Assumed Name (DBA).

722 Moody, 1st Floor
Galveston, Texas 77550
409.766.2200
www.co.galveston.tx.us/county_clerk/

Galveston Central Appraisal District

600 Gulf Freeway
Texas City, Texas 77591
409.935.1980 or 866.277.4725
www.galvestoncad.org

Fire Marshal & Alarm Permits

Galveston County Sheriff's Office
715 19th Street
Galveston, Texas 77550
409.766.2322

Health Department

1205 Oak Street
La Marque, Texas 77568
409.938.2411
www.gchd.org/pages/ech/foodestab.htm

301 North Thompson, Conroe, Texas 77301

Montgomery County Clerk's Office
Required Permit: Assumed Name (DBA).

210 West Davis (Highway 105)
Conroe, Texas 77301
936.539.7885
www.co.montgomery.tx.us/cclerk

Montgomery Central Appraisal District

109 Gladstell Street
Conroe, Texas 77301
936.756.3354 or 936.441.2186
www.mcad-tx.org

Building Permits

301 North Thompson, Suite 208
Conroe, Texas 77301
936.539.7836 or 281.353.9791 x7836
www.co.montgomery.tx.us/ehealth/buildingandseptic.shtml

Alarm Permits

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
936.760.5871 or 281.353.9791

Fire Marshal

2247 North First Street
Conroe, Texas 77301
936.538.8288

Health Department

301 North Thompson, Suite 206
Conroe, Texas 77301
936.539.7839 or 281.353.9791 x7839
www.co.montgomery.tx.us/ehealth

Alcohol Permits

400 North San Jacinto
Conroe, Texas 77301
936.539.7897

Texas Secretary of State
File Articles of Incorporation and register Corporate Names, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, Certificate of Authority, Non-Profit Agencies and state-wide DBAs. Contact for trademark and patent information. Health spas must obtain the operator's certificate of registration before operating or attempting to sell memberships.

1019 Brazos Street, James E. Rudder Building
Austin, Texas 78701
512.463.5555
www.sos.state.tx.us

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Required Permit: Sales Tax Permit. Also information regarding Franchise Tax, industry-specific taxes and fees, and mileage guides.

111 East 17th Street, Lyndon B. Johnson State Office Bldg.
Austin, Texas 78774
800.252.5555
www.cpa.state.tx.us

Houston North Field Office
16630 Imperial Valley Drive, Suite 227
Houston, Texas 77060
281.820.6055

Houston Northwest Field Office
1919 North Loop West, Suite 510
Houston, Texas 77008
713.868.9112

Houston Southeast Field Office
650 FM 1959
Houston, Texas 77034
281.484.6533

Houston Southwest Field Office
9888 Bissonnet, Suite 510
Houston, Texas 77036
713.777.1881

Texas Department of Economic Development
Provides helpful guide including information on legal structures, tax responsibilities, required licenses and permits, and employer requirements.

1700 North Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701
800.888.0511
www.tded.state.tx.us/guide

Texas Workforce Commission
Unemployment insurance taxes and state employment ID numbers. 38 offices located throughout the Houston region. Please call or visit website for the location nearest you.

12455 Beechnut
Houston, Texas 77072
800.832.9394
www.twc.state.tx.us

Texas Department of State Health Services - Retail Foods
Texas Bureau of Food & Drug Safety
Licensing, permits, regulations, laws and rules pertaining to retail food establishments. Also responsible for inspections, education and training.

5425 Polk
Houston, Texas 77023
713.767.3000
www.tdh.state.tx.us/bfds/retail/tfer.html

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Information on alcoholic beverage licenses and permits, compliance, seller training, and inspections.

427 West 20th Street, Ste 600
Houston, Texas 77008
713.426.7900
www.tabc.state.tx.us

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Employee wage and overtime information, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Houston District Office, Wage & Hour Division
8701 South Gessner Drive, Suite 1164
Houston, Texas 77074
866.487.9243
713.339.5500
www.dol.gov

Social Security Administration (SSA)
Provides information regarding records employers must have to report earnings to Social Security and the IRS. There are approximately 9 offices in the Houston Metro area. Please call or visit their website for the location nearest you.

3100 Smith
Houston, Texas 77006
800.772.1213
www.ssa.gov

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Required Permits: Employer ID Number and Federal Tax ID Number. Also provides a checklist for new businesses, local and online workshops, information about operating a business, the Small Business Tax Calendar, and Tax Topics for Businesses.

281.721.7021 or 800.829.4933
www.irs.gov/businesses/small

Houston Downtown Office
1919 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002

Houston Northwest Office
12941 Interstate 45 North
Houston, Texas 77060

Houston Southeast Office
8876 Interstate 45 South
Houston, Texas 77017

Houston Southwest Office
8701 South Gessner
Houston, Texas 77074

Tax Information Kiosk
U.S. Post Office
601 25th Street
Galveston, Texas 77550

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the required EEOC poster. Information and regulations regarding discrimination and sexual harassment.

1919 Smith Street, Suites 600 & 700
Houston, Texas 77002
713.209.3320
www.eeoc.gov

Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
Required illness and injury records subject to inspection and the OSHA poster. Information regarding how to establish safety and health programs and prevent workplace injuries and illness. Offers free on-site safety and health services including consultation to identify potential hazards. The OSHA Small Business Handbook can be downloaded from their website.

General Information	www.osha.gov
Small Business Information	www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness

Houston North Office
507 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77060
281.591.2438

Houston South Office
17625 El Camino Real, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77058
281.286.0583

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Food Code, monitors food and associated public safety, and food labeling.

1445 Loop West, Ste 335
Houston, Texas 77008
713.802.7540
www.fda.gov

Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership
2525 Bay Area Boulevard, Suite 640
Houston, Texas 77058
281.486.5535
www.bayareahouston.com

Baytown Economic Development Foundation
1300 Rollingbrook Drive, Suite 610
Baytown, Texas 77521
281.420.2961
www.baytownedf.org

Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
www.allianceportregion.com

The Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County
201 East Myrtle, Suite 139
Angleton, Texas 77515
979.848.0560 or 800.759.1822
www.eda-bc.com

Galveston County Economic Alliance
1130 Delmar
La Marque, Texas 77568
409.933.9899 or 888.933.9899
www.gcea.us

Galveston Economic Development Partnership
519 25th Street
Galveston, Texas 77553
409.770.0216
www.gedp.org

Greater Conroe Economic Development Council
505 West Davis
Conroe, Texas 77301
936.538.7118
www.gcedc.org

Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council
One Fluor Daniel Drive
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
281.242.0000 or 866.500.5668
www.fortbendcounty.org

Greater Houston Partnership
1200 Smith, Suite 700
Houston, Texas 77002
713.844.3600
www.houston.org

Houston - Galveston Area Council
3555 Timmons, Suite 120
Houston, Texas 77027
713.627.3200
www.h-gac.com

Katy Area Economic Development Council
6301 South Stadium Lane, Suite 111
Katy, Texas 77494
281.396.2200
www.katyedc.org

League City Economic Development Corporation
300 West Walker
League City, Texas 77573
281.554.1100
www.leaguecityedc.com

Pearland Economic Development Corporation
3519 Liberty Drive
Pearland, Texas 77581
281.652.1627 or 800.240.3684
www.pearlandedc.com

Port Freeport
200 West Second Street, 3rd Floor
Freeport, Texas 77541
979.233.2667 or 800.362.5743
www.portfreeport.com

The Port of Houston Authority
111 East Loop North
Houston, Texas 77029
713.670.2400
www.portofhouston.com

Tomball Economic Development Corporation
14011 Park Drive
Tomball, Texas 77377
281.401.4086
www.tomballtxedc.org

Business 2.0
www.business2.com

BusinessWeek Small Business
www.businessweek.com/smallbiz

Dictionary of Small Business
www.small-business-dictionary.org

Entrepreneur
www.entrepreneur.com

Fast Company
www.fastcompany.com

Forbes Small Business
www.forbes.com/smallbusiness

Fortune Small Business
www.fortune.com/fortune/smallbusiness

Home Business Magazine
www.homebusinessmag.com

Inc.
www.inc.com

United States Postal Service
www.usps.com

Wall Street Journal - Startup Journal
www.startupjournal.com