Permits & Licenses
(Available at City Hall or Dr. Mae Jackson Development Center)
Activity Permit
A permit is required for events taking place on city property or streets, utilizing city services or affecting municipal policies and affairs. Applications must be submitted a minimum of 15 days prior to activity. (Also available at Parks and Recreation.)
Application Information
Alcohol Permits
An application for an alcoholic license must be filed at the Mae Jackson Development Center in the Inspections Office. Inspection of the premises is required after submission of the City of Waco License Application Form and payment of the appropriate fee. For more information contact Judy Quaas at (254) 750-5612.
(Available at the Mae Jackson Development Center in the Inspections Office, 401 Franklin Ave.)
Apply(PDF, 361KB)
Community Garden Permit
A permit is required to operate a community garden. “Community garden” means a garden operated and maintained by a nonprofit organization, church, neighborhood association, school district, or government entity for the purpose of: “transforming vacant land into a productive and valuable community asset in the form of a community garden that will produce food, flowers, and/or other vegetation.” For more information on community gardens, see Article XII – Community Gardens and the permitted uses chart(PDF, 159KB) .
Apply(PDF, 37KB)
Farmer’s Market Permit
A permit is required to operate a farmers market. “Farmers market” means an organized reoccurring operation at a designated location used by vendors primarily for the distribution and sale of locally produced agricultural products or a limited amount of locally produced non-agricultural products. A farmers' market, in and of itself, is not an event and is not a food establishment. For more information on farmers markets, see Article XI-Farmers Markets and the permitted uses chart(PDF, 159KB).
Apply(PDF, 23KB)
Food Truck/Open Air Vending License
Food Trucks/Open Air Vending requires a license to operate in the city limits of Waco. Open Air Vending means the sale, bartering or exchange of a good or service which is conducted exclusively outside of a permanent structure.
How to obtain a license
Garage, Estate & Yard Sale Guidelines
As of August 2022, no permit or fee is required for garage, estate or yard sales. These types of sales are permitted in the R-1 district through the R-3 district and other districts where primary use of property is residential. The following conditions apply: conducted by the owner or tenant of the sale location, only tangible personal property may be sold, the sale shall not exceed three consecutive days, no more than two sales at a location within a calendar year. More Information
Operation of Horse-Drawn Carriage Service
Horse-drawn carriage businesses shall be operated only in accordance to Sec. 27-248 of City Ordinance.
Apply(PDF, 61KB)
Nightclub Permit
An application for a nightclub license must be filed at the Mae Jackson Development Center in the Inspections Office. Inspection of the premises is required after submission of the City of Waco License Application Form and payment of the appropriate fee. For more information contact Judy Quaas at (254) 750-5612.
(Available at the Mae Jackson Development Center in the Inspections Office, 401 Franklin Ave.)
Apply(PDF, 3MB)
Right-of-Way Permit
Any construction or change in the City's right-of-way follow several ordinances, require permits, and may also require approved plans before any work is done.
More details and application
Short Term Rental Special Permit and/or License
Short-term Rental (STR) or bed and breakfast/vacation rental is the renting out of a furnished home, apartment or condominium for less than 30 consecutive days. A license is required in order to operate an STR in the city limits of Waco. In some cases, a special permit is also required prior to issuance of a license.
More details and application
Helpful Information for Short Term Rentals(PDF, 325KB)
Sign Permits Illuminated and Non-Illuminated
Sign permits can be obtained online
Checklist/Required Forms(PDF, 101KB)
Solicitation - Peddler & Door to Door
As of January 1, 2017, any individual, group, organization or company wishing to solicit door to door will be required to obtain a solicitor’s permit from the City of Waco. A $25 permit fee is required at the time of application submission. The solicitation permit will allow soliciting one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset (please note that religious organizations and political campaigns are exempt from this requirement); however, at no time will soliciting by any group or individual be permitted at a residential premise where a sign is displayed prohibiting home solicitations.
If an individual approaches your door for solicitation purposes, they should have a visible City of Waco issued badge displayed with their current picture. If they do not, residents may request to view the badge. If the solicitor does not present one at that time or indicates that they have left the badge in their vehicle or office, residents can contact Police dispatch at (254) 750-7500. Violation Penalty for offenses under Division I Article IX of Chapter 13 of the City Code is punishable by a fine of not more than $500.
Apply
Examples of signs that meet the City of Waco Code of Ordinances requirements are here:
No Soliciting, Sample 1(PDF, 229KB)
No Soliciting, Sample 2(PDF, 283KB)
No Soliciting, Sample 3(PDF, 324KB)
Street Furnishing Permit
A street furnishings permit is required in order to place any privately owned item, amenity, or decoration in the public right-of-way (or a pedestrian easement) for private interests.
Apply(PDF, 20KB)
Vehicles for Hire
Driver’s Permit Application(PDF, 1MB)
Business Permit Application(PDF, 57KB)
Business Permit Approval Checklist(PDF, 16KB)