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Small Business Relocation to Austin – Q&A Guide

1. What should I know before relocating my business to Austin?

Before relocating, it’s important to understand both the local business landscape and the resources available to support your move. The City of Austin offers orientation classes such as BizAid Business Orientation that introduce business owners to planning, permits, and regulatory processes.

2. Are there free local resources to help with the relocation process?

Yes. The City provides a variety of local support and referral resources including:

3. What permits, registrations, or business structures matter for relocated businesses?

This depends on your business type and how you plan to operate in Austin:

  • If you are incorporating or forming a separate legal entity, you may need to register with the Texas Secretary of State (for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, etc.)
  • For operating under a business name separate from the owner’s name, an Assumed Name (DBA) must be registered with the Travis County Clerk.
  • Additional permits or licenses may be required for specific business activities (health permits, land use permits, signage, etc.)

Note: State-level licensing and permitting requirements can also apply depending on your industry.

4. Are there state tools to help businesses relocating to Texas find applicable regulatory resources?

Yes. The Texas Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal helps businesses find applicable federal, state, and local resources by answering a short set of questions. This tool can be especially helpful if you’re relocating from another state and need a customized resource list for permits, licensing, and other requirements.

👉 Governor’s Small Business Resource Portal: Statewide resource finder

5. What if I’m moving my business from another state?

If your business is already a separate legal entity, you will likely need to register to transact business in Texas with the Texas Secretary of State. This might involve filing your existing corporation/LLC as a “foreign” entity and meeting Texas reporting requirements.

👉 Moving Your Small Business to Texas — Texas state guidance on business relocation requirements

6. Are there local incentives or economic development programs for relocating businesses?

Yes — for larger expansions and growth projects, there are local economic development programs such as the City of Austin’s Business Expansion Program, which may offer incentives for businesses that relocate or grow employment within the city. This is typically aimed at job creation and economic development.

7. How can I find specific local permits or licenses once I relocate?

Small business owners should consult:

City of Austin Permitting and Business License Pages – contains permit types and processes for downtown development, land use, health & safety inspections, signage, event permits, etc.

(These pages include filters and categories but can also be paired with direct assistance from the Development Process Team or Small Business Division to determine what applies to your specific business idea.)

8. Who do I contact for help with planning, permits, or regulations?

9. Are there industry-specific relocation resources?

Yes — for example, state agencies such as the Texas Music Office provide relocation and business growth resources tailored to specific industries such as music and entertainment.