Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: October 2026
These are the questions people ask us most about business licenses and fees in Fort Worth, answered the short way first. This site is not a government agency; we estimate from published schedules and point you to the official office for the final word. For the calculator itself, start on the home page.
Do I need a business license in Fort Worth?
No, not a general one. Neither the city nor the state issues a general business license. You need activity-specific permits: a Certificate of Occupancy for your space, health permits if you handle food, contractor registration if you are a contractor, and licenses for specific activities like secondhand dealing or sidewalk cafes.
How much does a business license cost in Fort Worth?
There is no single price because there is no single license. A typical office in a leased space pays about $87.75 once for the Certificate of Occupancy. A restaurant pays $258 to $773 a year for its health permit plus the CO. Use the calculator above for your situation.
What is a Certificate of Occupancy and do I need one?
It is the city's sign-off that a commercial building may be occupied for your type of business. Most businesses in commercial space need one, and it is often the biggest (sometimes the only) city item. If the building's use is changing, a change-of-occupancy fee applies on top.
How much is a food permit in Fort Worth?
For a fixed restaurant, the annual health permit is $258, $515, or $773 depending on gross annual food sales, plus a $150 plan review for new establishments. A food truck or push cart pays $258 a year plus a $65 plan review. Food handler certifications are $10 each through the city's online course.
Do contractors need a license in Fort Worth?
Texas has no state general-contractor license. Fort Worth requires contractors to register with the city annually: $168.75 for building, sign, wrecking, moving, and plumbing irrigator contractors, $562.50 for parkway and utility contractors. If you hold a state master trade license (plumbing, electrical), the city charges you no registration fee.
What about a home-based business?
Home-based businesses are strictly regulated in Fort Worth, and a residence may not be used as a food establishment. Check zoning and the home-occupation rules before you start.
When do Fort Worth fees change?
Development fees refresh every October 1 with the city's fiscal year. Health permit fees follow state law and were last amended September 1, 2025.
Is this an official government website?
No. This is an independent resource operated by Perfect Option MBC, LLC. We are not a government agency and we are not affiliated with any city or state. Every estimate points back to the official published schedule so you can confirm the number at the source.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. The calculator and this guide are free to use, with no account and no sign-up. The numbers you enter are calculated in your browser and are not stored or sent to us.
How current are the fees?
We work from the fee schedules and tax rules the city publishes, and we update our math when the city updates its schedule. Fees do change, sometimes mid-year, so treat every result as a well-sourced estimate and confirm the final figure with the city before you budget around it.