For Brownsville, Texas, is a business license required?

For the vast majority of cases, a business license is not an obligation of prospective business owners except for licenses that are mandated by the State of Texas. In fact, in the City of Brownsville, a business license is not even required to serve alcoholic beverages, though a Beer and Wine Permit is required. Currently, the only business permits that are required are:

1. Hotel Occupancy Tax Permit
2. Motel Occupancy Tax Permit
3. Beer and Wine Permit

What cost can be expected to obtain a business license in Brownsville?

For the Beer and Wine Permit, the City’s Secretary Office will assess the appropriate fees at the time the requirements and prerequisites are all completed. Then the Beer and Wine Permit will be issued. As far as the Hotel and Motel Operating Fee, it is $50 that is levied for the purpose of owning and operating a hotel or motel. This fee must be paid within 10 days of a change of operator or owner of a hotel or motel and is due to the City Secretary’s Office. The fee is due, as well, each year before July 1st. The permit is issued after the application is completed and the fee is paid to the City. You can visit the Brownsville City Secretary's website to learn more.

What information will be needed to submit a business license application or permit in Brownsville?

For the three permits that are, at this time, required, the information that will be needed for the permits is as follows:

1. Name of applicant
2. Name of property owner
3. Beer and Wine Permit: What percentage of alcohol will be served? At what hours will alcohol be served? Proof of application to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is required. In conjunction with a City Beer and Wine Permit, a state permit is also needed.
4. Hotel and Motel Occupancy Tax Permit: A $50 fee is required along with the Permit application.

Where can a business owner apply for a Brownsville business license or permit?

The application process only allows for applying directly at the City Secretary’s Office. At this time, the permits applications are not available online. For the Beer and Wine Permit, once you complete the permit application that you received from the City Secretary’s Office, you may mail the application to:

City of Brownsville Planning and Zoning Department
1150 East Adams Street
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 548-6150

Are there any additional questions or concerns?

Please contact the City Secretary’s Office at (956) 548-6001. You may also fax the City Secretary’s Office at (956) 546-2130. You can also visit the Brownsville City Secretary's website. If you prefer contacting them through the office location, it is:

City of Brownsville
Office of the City Secretary
1034 East Levee Street
1st Floor
Brownsville, TX 78520
(956) 548-6001

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