How to Get a Catering License in Houston, Texas (2026 Guide)

Starting a catering business in Houston? The good news: Houston is one of the best cities in Texas for catering, with a massive event market and diverse food scene. The challenging part: getting properly licensed involves multiple agencies and a series of permits that have to be completed in a specific order.

This guide covers every permit and license you need to legally operate a catering business in the Houston area, how much each one costs, and how to tackle them efficiently.

What Permits Do You Need for a Catering Business in Houston?

A catering company in Houston city limits typically needs:

1. Texas LLC (Certificate of Formation) — $300
2. Employer Identification Number (EIN) — Free
3. Texas Sales Tax Permit — Free
4. Food Handler Cards for all staff — $7-$15 each
5. Certified Food Manager (at least one person) — $100-$150
6. Certificate of Occupancy (if you have a commercial kitchen) — $75-$200
7. City of Houston Food Dealer's Permit — $258-$773
8. Houston Fire Department Permit — $50-$250
9. FOG Registration (grease trap) — Free
10. TABC Permit (only if serving alcohol) — $900-$6,600
11. TWC Unemployment Insurance (if you have employees) — Free to register

Total estimated cost (no alcohol): $790-$1,725. Total estimated cost (with beer/wine): $1,690-$3,525. Total estimated cost (with full bar): $6,090-$8,325.

Timeline: 2-4 months without alcohol permits; 4-7 months with a full TABC Mixed Beverage Permit.

Do You Need a Commercial Kitchen?

This is the first big decision. There are three paths:

Own or lease a commercial kitchen space. This gives you the most control and flexibility. You'll need a Certificate of Occupancy and a Food Dealer's Permit for the space. This is the most expensive option upfront but makes sense if you're doing high volume.

Rent time in a shared commercial kitchen. Houston has several commercial kitchen rental facilities where you can rent by the hour or day. You operate under their permits, which simplifies your permit load. Costs typically range from $15-$35 per hour.

Operate from a client's kitchen. Some caterers prepare food primarily at event venues. This can work for smaller operations but comes with logistical challenges and you may still need your own permits depending on how much prep you do.

If you have your own kitchen space (owned or leased), you need the full permit set listed above. If you're using a shared commercial kitchen, some permits (like the CO and food dealer's permit) may be handled by the kitchen facility — but confirm this with the facility and with the Houston Health Department.

Step-by-Step: Getting Licensed

Phase 1: Business Formation (Weeks 1-3)

Form your Texas LLC. File with the Texas Secretary of State online at SOSDirect. Cost: $300 ($325 expedited). This creates your legal business entity.

Get your EIN. Apply at irs.gov — it's free and instant. Do this right after your LLC is approved.

Apply for a Sales Tax Permit. File with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Free to apply, but the physical permit takes 2-3 weeks to arrive by mail. You need this before your first paid event.

Phase 2: Certifications (Weeks 2-4)

Get Food Handler Cards for yourself and all food employees. Take a DSHS-accredited online course — about 2 hours, $7-$15 per person.

Get Certified Food Manager (CFM) certification. At least one person in your operation needs this. Study for and pass the ServSafe exam or equivalent ($100-$150). Getting this early strengthens your permit applications.

Phase 3: Location and Kitchen Permits (Weeks 3-10)

If you have your own commercial kitchen space:

Certificate of Occupancy. Confirm your space is approved for food preparation use. Cost: $75-$200. Ask your landlord about the existing CO first.

City of Houston Food Dealer's Permit. Apply to the Houston Health Department with your floor plan and equipment layout. Risk-based fees: $258 (low risk), $515 (medium), $773 (high risk). Budget 4-8 weeks. Call 832-393-5100 for a free pre-inspection consultation.

Fire Department Permit. Get your commercial kitchen fire suppression system inspected and permitted. $50-$250.

FOG Registration. Register your grease trap with City of Houston Public Works. Free.

Phase 4: Alcohol Permits (If Applicable)

If you plan to serve alcohol at catered events:

TABC Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (beer and wine only): $900-$1,800, takes 30-60 days.

TABC Mixed Beverage Permit (full bar including liquor): $5,300-$6,600, takes 3-6 months. This is the single biggest bottleneck — start early.

TTB Alcohol Dealer Registration (for liquor): Free federal registration, takes 2-4 weeks. File this while waiting for your TABC permit.

Many caterers start without alcohol permits and either partner with a licensed bartending service or have clients provide their own alcohol. This avoids the TABC timeline and cost entirely.

Catering from Home: Is It Possible?

Sort of, but it depends on what you're making.

If you're producing shelf-stable baked goods, candies, jams, or similar items, you may qualify under the Texas Cottage Food Law, which allows home kitchen production without permits. See our cottage food guide for details.

If you're preparing perishable foods, full meals, or anything that requires temperature control, you cannot legally cater from an unpermitted home kitchen. You would need either a permitted commercial kitchen at your home (which means meeting all commercial kitchen standards) or access to a shared commercial kitchen.

Some caterers start under cottage food law for baked goods and desserts while building up capital to lease commercial kitchen space for their full menu.

Catering at Temporary Events

If you're catering at festivals, public events, or pop-ups in Houston, you may need an additional Temporary Food Dealer's Permit from the Houston Health Department. This costs $52 per day or $104 for up to 10 days. Apply at least 2 weeks before the event.

This is separate from your regular Food Dealer's Permit and is required per event.

Insurance

While not a government permit, insurance is essential for catering businesses and many venues require it before they'll let you operate on their premises.

General liability insurance covers accidents, property damage, and foodborne illness claims. Most venues require at least $1 million in coverage.

Commercial auto insurance is needed if you're using vehicles to transport food.

Workers' compensation may be required if you have employees (Texas doesn't mandate it for all businesses, but many clients will require proof of it).

Talk to an insurance broker who works with food businesses — they can package the right coverage for your situation.

Common Mistakes

Not planning for TABC timelines. If you want to serve alcohol at catered events, you need a TABC permit. The Mixed Beverage Permit takes 3-6 months. Don't promise clients a full bar service if you haven't started this process.

Operating from a home kitchen without proper permits. Unless you qualify under cottage food law (shelf-stable items only), preparing catered food in a home kitchen is illegal and uninsured.

Forgetting about the event venue's requirements. Many venues have their own insurance minimums, liability requirements, and permitting expectations. Check with each venue before committing to an event.

Skipping the EIN. Even if you're a one-person operation, you need an EIN to open a business bank account, file business taxes, and apply for most permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get fully licensed? Without alcohol permits: 2-4 months. With a full TABC Mixed Beverage Permit: 4-7 months.

Can I cater without a commercial kitchen? You can rent time in a shared commercial kitchen. Some caterers do all their prep at the event venue's kitchen. But you cannot prepare food for sale in an unpermitted residential kitchen (unless it qualifies as cottage food).

Do I need a separate permit for each event? Your Food Dealer's Permit covers your regular catering operations. For public events and festivals, you may need a separate Temporary Food Dealer's Permit per event.

What if I only cater on weekends? Part-time or full-time doesn't matter — the same permits apply regardless of how often you cater.

Can I start catering while my TABC permit is pending? Yes, you can cater food. You just can't serve alcohol until your TABC permit is approved. Many caterers start food-only and add bar service once the permit comes through.

What to Do Next

Every catering business is different — your exact permit requirements depend on whether you have your own kitchen, serve alcohol, hire employees, and operate inside or outside Houston city limits. Use our free permit navigator to get a personalized compliance roadmap for your specific situation.