Alcoholic Beverage License and Permits
Applications for alcoholic beverage licenses are available from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), P.O. Box 13127,
Austin, Texas 78711. Local offices of the TABC can be found on the TABC website.
The application for a new license will instruct you on
where to go to get the application processed. When you have received an application for a renewal beer license from TABC, bring it
to the Harris County Tax Office at 1001 Preston, Room 100, Houston, Texas 77002. If you have proper identification and are the owner listed
on the application, a deputy in our office will notarize your application. The Tax Office will issue a temporary receipt that must remain in public view
on your premises until you receive your permanent license from TABC. The fees shown on the
application are State of Texas fees only. You will also have to pay Harris County fees (which are one-half of the State fee) and, when appropriate, a
renewal fee of $2.00.
Applications can be processed by mail as long as the form is completely filled out, all copies are signed by the owner, and all
copies are notarized. Payment can be made by cash or check. Renewals by mail should be addressed to Leo Vasquez, Tax Assessor-Collector, P.O. Box 4663, Houston, TX 77210-4663 . Please
telephone our office at (713) 368-2000 should you have any questions concerning the permit/license process.
Renewals of beer licenses can be processed through the mail. Write to Leo Vasquez, Tax Assessor-Collector, P.O. Box 4663, Houston, TX 77210-4663. Renewals for beer and
wine licenses can also be processed in person if you go to our downtown office, located at 1001 Preston, 1st Floor.
Beer licenses cannot be renewed earlier than 30 days before the renewal date. If you fail to renew your license on time, but apply for renewal between the first and the 30th
day after the renewal, a late fee of $100.00 will be added. If you fail to renew your license on time, and let more
than 30 days go by after the renewal date, you will be required to do the following:
- cease selling beer
- refile with TABC
When you mail the renewal for a liquor license to TABC, you should also contact the Harris County Tax
Office to pay the appropriate fee for the Harris County Liquor Control Permit. This fee is always one-half of the state fee. Renewals for the
Harris County permit can also be processed by mail, or done at the downtown location.
Following is a chart showing surcharges associated with various beer and wine licenses:
| Code |
Classification |
Total |
State Fee |
State Surcharge |
Maximum County Fee |
Renewal Fee |
| BF |
Beer Retailer's Off-Premise License |
$239.00 |
$60.00 |
$147.00 |
$30.00 |
$2.00 |
| BE |
Beer Retailer's On-Premise License |
$374.00 |
$150.00 |
$147.00 |
$75.00 |
$2.00 |
| BG |
Wine and Beer Retailer's Permit |
$411.50 |
$175.00 |
$147.00 |
$87.50 |
$2.00 |
| BQ |
Wine and Beer Retailer's Off-Premise Permit |
$239.00 |
$60.00 |
$147.00 |
$30.00 |
$2.00 |
| BL |
Retail Dealer's On-Premise Late Hrs. Lic. |
$466.00 |
$250.00 |
$89.00 |
$125.00 |
$2.00 |
| BP |
Brewpub License (if primary BG or BE) |
$867.00 |
$500.00 |
$115.00 |
$250.00 |
$2.00 |
| BB |
General Distributor's License |
$638.00 |
$300.00 |
$186.00 |
$150.00 |
$2.00 |
| BC |
Branch Distributor's License |
$300.50 |
$75.00 |
$186.00 |
$37.50 |
$2.00 |
| BD |
Local Distributor's License |
$300.50 |
$75.00 |
$186.00 |
$37.50 |
$2.00 |
| BI |
Importer's License |
$108.00 |
$20.00 |
$76.00 |
$10.00 |
$2.00 |
| BJ |
Importer's Carrier's License |
$88.00 |
$20.00 |
$56.00 |
$10.00 |
$2.00 |
| MW |
Manufacturer's Warehouse License |
$599.00 |
$300.00 |
$147.00 |
$150.00 |
$2.00 |
| BA |
Manufacturer's License 1st Establishment |
$1,270.00 |
$750.00 |
$143.00 |
$375.00 |
$2.00 |
| |
2nd Establishment |
$2,395.00 |
$1,500.00 |
$143.00 |
$750.00 |
$2.00 |
| |
3rd, 4th and 5th Establishment |
$6,557.50 |
$4,275.00 |
$143.00 |
$2,137.50 |
$2.00 |
| |
Excess of 5th Establishment |
$12,745.00 |
$8,400.00 |
$143.00 |
$4,200.00 |
$2.00 |