Getting a liquor license in Dallas requires a unique three-step approval process involving the City, County, and Comptroller before you can even apply to the TABC.
If you have opened a restaurant elsewhere in Texas, you might expect the TABC application to be your first step. In the City of Dallas, however, the process is unique.
An application for a new TABC liquor license in Dallas cannot even be submitted to the TABC until it has already been certified by three separate entities: the County, the Texas Comptroller, and the City.
Before you start filling out forms, here are the core requirements and the specific order of operations you must follow.
Part 1: The "Match Game" (Administrative Alignment)
Before you chase signatures, you must ensure your business structure is aligned. The City of Dallas is notorious for rejecting applications where the paperwork doesn't match perfectly.
1. CO = Applicant The entity listed on your Certificate of Occupancy (CO) must be the exact same entity applying for the TABC liquor license.
Why it matters: If the CO is in your personal name but the applicant is your LLC, the City will not approve your application.
2. Applicant = Sales Taxpayer The applicant must hold a valid Texas sales and use tax permit.
Why it matters: This permit is tied to your obligation to pay mixed beverage gross receipts tax and sales tax. If you haven't acquired this yet, do it before you apply.
3. Address = Address When you apply for your sales tax permit, the address must match your physical location exactly. The Comptroller is very particular about how the address is represented, so accuracy here saves headaches later.
Part 2: The Three Approvals (The Process)
Once your entities are aligned, you must obtain certifications from three different bodies.
Step 1: The Texas Comptroller
The Action: Print TABC Form L-CERT and email it to the Comptroller according to their specific instructions.
The Watch-out: We recommend starting here. Allow time to clear up any lingering tax issues from other businesses you may be involved in.
Step 2: Dallas County
The Action: Go to the County Clerk's office at the downtown Dallas courthouse.
The Cost: Bring a check for $5.00.
The Vibe: This is usually the easiest step. You hand it over, wait a few minutes, and you are done.
Step 3: The City of Dallas
The Action: This is the most rigorous step. You must create an account on the DallasNow citizen portal and upload your forms.
The Requirement: You will likely need an "Alcohol Survey" (costing $300–$500) to identify protected places like schools or churches nearby.
The Review: Your Certificate of Occupancy must typically reach an "In Review" status before the City will process your liquor license application.
💡 Storm Liquor License Pro-Tip: Are you in Collin County? A small sliver of Dallas extends into Collin County. If your location is there, the process is reversed! Collin County will not sign off until the City of Dallas does. You must get the City signature first.
Approvals First, Application Second
Only after you have navigated these three approvals can you finally submit your package to the TABC. If this sounds like a lot of red tape, that's because it is. We navigate the Dallas bureaucracy daily so entrepreneurs can focus on your grand opening.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. TABC regulations are subject to change.
