Property / appraisal
Find the correct county appraisal district or county tax office for property ownership, account, and tax records.
Texas Comptroller directorySantos Law Resource Library
Before You Sign
Can I Open Here?
A free Texas-wide property-use checklist and verification roadmap for entrepreneurs, small business owners, tenants, landlords, brokers, creators, and real estate operators.
Use this when evaluating a daycare, creative studio, house-to-office conversion, food truck park, short-term rental, gym, sign, alcohol-related use, restaurant, event venue, or other local property-use question.
The practical problem
A property can look right and still require approvals before it works.
The question is not only whether the space fits. The question is whether the use can be confirmed.
What this tool helps organize
This tool helps organize the right verification steps before a lease, buildout, purchase, or opening date.
ZoningPermitsCertificate of occupancyGISAppraisal districtMunicipal codeTABCHealth / fireDeed restrictionsLease use
Public Sources to Check Before You Sign
Texas-wide starting points for property-use research.
Local-use questions often require review of several separate public and private sources. These links are starting points; the correct city, county, district, code, and private-record sources depend on the specific property and proposed use.
County land records
County clerk records may help identify deeds, plats, easements, restrictions, and other recorded property documents.
Find county clerkCity code / zoning
Search the relevant city code publisher for zoning, signs, STR rules, development standards, and special uses.
Municode Texas libraryLocal ordinances
Not every ordinance is online or in Municode. This guide explains additional ways to locate local ordinances.
Texas State Law Library guidePermits / CO / GIS
Search the city or county development services department, permit portal, GIS map, and certificate-of-occupancy records.
Search local permit sourcesAlcohol / TABC
For alcohol-related uses, search TABC license and permit status, locations, and public inquiry tools.
TABC Public InquiryLicensing / regulated uses
Search TDLR licenses for regulated industries such as cosmetology, barbers, towing, HVAC, electricians, and more.
TDLR license searchHealth / child care
Food, health, and child-care uses may involve DSHS, HHS, local health departments, or local fire review.
Texas HHS child care searchBusiness entity
Search entity filings and names through SOSDirect when the operator, landlord, or contracting party should be verified.
Texas SOSDirectFranchise tax status
Check Texas franchise tax account status for a Texas entity.
Franchise tax searchSales tax permit
Retail, food, and other operators may need to check or verify sales tax permit information.
Sales taxpayer searchLocal health / fire
Search the relevant city or county health department and fire marshal for food, occupancy, assembly, and inspection issues.
Search health / fire sourcesOptional Legal Review
Before You Sign Legal Memo
For business owners and real estate operators who want a focused legal review after using the checklist, Santos Law can evaluate the property, proposed use, lease language, local approval path, and public-source issues before a lease, purchase, buildout, sign, or opening date.
Typical memo review: proposed use, property location, jurisdiction, zoning/local-use issues, lease-use language, certificate-of-occupancy and permit concerns, signage, parking, health/fire/TABC flags, questions for the landlord or local government, and practical next steps.
Request Legal Review