HOW TO OBTAIN AN ALCOHOL BEVERAGE PERMIT

Step 1: Begin the Process with TABC
To start the permitting process, contact the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for assistance or apply online for a license.  This packet must be approved by the City Secretary, as well as other county and state agencies. All businesses must complete forms and get certifications. You’ll need to fill out the TABC Prequalification Packet, Location Packet and Business Packet. A fully completed TABC application must be submitted to the City Secretary.

Step 2: Submitting Your Pre-Qualification Packet for City Approval
To obtain the City Secretary’s signature, you may submit your completed packet using one of the following methods:

• In Person: Visit City Hall at 3519 Liberty Drive, Pearland, Texas 77581. We recommend calling at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability.

• By Mail: Send your packet to:
  City of Pearland
  City Secretary's Office
  3519 Liberty Drive
  Pearland, Texas 77581

• By Email: Send a PDF of your packet to alcoholpermits@pearlandtx.gov. It will be electronically signed and returned via email. 

 There is no fee for obtaining the City Secretary’s signature. Please allow 3-5 days for a response.

Step 3: Completing the Process & Obtaining Your City Permit
Once your TABC application is approved and you receive a state-issued permit, the City of Pearland will issue an invoice for city permit, if required. After payment is received, the city permit will be provided. If your establishment has an active food permit, please provide a copy to the City before your city permit can be issued.

CODE OF ORDINANCES

Effective October 1, 2014, the City of Pearland adopted Ordinance No. 1502-1 stating "no person shall manufacture, sell, distribute or store any alcoholic beverage within the city without first obtaining a permit from the City Secretary. Prior to the issuance of a permit pursuant to this Chapter, the applicant for the permit shall pay to the city such fees as are authorized by state law."  To review the City's Code regarding Alcoholic Beverages, please refer to Chapter 4 of the City of Pearland's Code of Ordinances.

TEXAS SENATE BILL 1008

Effective September 1, 2025, Texas Senate Bill 1008 introduces new restrictions on how local governments assess fees for food and drink establishments. Under the updated law, specifically Section 437.01235 of the Texas Health and Safety Code:

“A county, municipality, or public health district, including an authorized agent, employee, or department, may not charge a fee under Section 11.38 or 61.36, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if the premises is a food service establishment, retail food store, mobile food unit, roadside food vendor, or temporary food service establishment that has already paid a fee to operate to the department or to any county, municipality, or public health district.”

The City of Pearland will no longer charge alcohol permitting fees to establishments if they have an active food service permit.

QUESTIONS

For TABC application questions, please contact the Houston Regional Office at (713) 426-7979.  For questions that pertain to the City of Pearland Alcohol Beverage Permit process, please contact the City Secretary's Office at 281.652.1653.

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