Starting a Business in Bastrop, Texas

Before launching your business, thoroughly research your target market to understand the demand, competition, and potential customer base. Analyze market trends, customer preferences, and industry dynamics to validate your business idea. This research will help you refine your product or service offering, identify opportunities and challenges, and make informed decisions as you develop your business plan. Leveraging market research tools and resources, such as surveys, focus groups, and industry reports, can provide valuable insights into your market landscape.

Opening a business in Bastrop requires adhering to a number of codes, policies, and procedures administered by the City of Bastrop and Bastrop County. City Hall can help ensure these requirements prove no obstacle to opening day.

Building Codes

The city updates its building codes regularly, so it’s best to check in at City Hall immediately to ensure your new business meets the necessary requirements.

Inspections

To open a business in Bastrop, you must clear a series of inspections from both the City of Bastrop and Bastrop County. These include building, fire safety, health, and sanitation inspections. The City offers pre-application meetings at no charge prior to lease or purchase to better ascertain how much investment a building or site location requires.

Health Requirements

Health requirements in Bastrop are a two-tier system. While the City of Bastrop handles your zoning and building safety, the Bastrop County Public Health Department is the primary authority for health and food safety.

Choose the right structure for your business. Typically, sole proprietorships and partnerships must register their business name (DBA or assumed name) with the local county clerk’s office. If you opt to incorporate, the Secretary of State’s Office (SOS) website provides guidance on selecting the appropriate legal structure. You can also register your new legal entity directly on the SOS website.

Understand the tax obligations your new business may face at the federal, state, and local levels. Federal taxes are handled by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), while state tax filings are managed through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA). If you’re starting an online business, the online Marketplace Seller tax information is valuable. For local business and property tax inquiries, contact your county’s appraisal district or tax assessor-collector. The CPA website can help you locate your local appraisal district and tax office.

A business plan serves as a strategic blueprint for your business. It should detail your business’s primary goals, structure, financial needs, and competitive strengths. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers helpful templates to guide you in creating your business plan.

The location of your business should align with the type of business you’re running. In addition to supply-chain accessibility and workforce availability, you must confirm the zoning designation of the property to ensure the type of business is allowed at that location and determine any associated site development requirements. A zoning pre-application meeting should be held with Development Services staff prior to breaking ground to communicate any required permits and processes.

Allowed at This Address?

There are specific places in town for specific types of businesses. To ensure your business and its preferred location is compliant with the city’s zoning regulations, visit the city’s Development Services Department.

Sign Rules

Bastrop has a strict sign code. Before designing the signage to your business, speak to the city’s Development Services Department at City Hall to ensure your sign complies with city ordinances.

Parking & Occupancy

Bastrop’s parking rules balance business needs with maintaining the city’s aesthetic and walkability. Parking requirements are tied to the gross floor area and specific use of the building. Check the city’s Development Code for current parking requirements.

Explore various funding options for your new business, such as personal savings, contributions from friends and family, or applying for loans. You can pursue bank loans, micro loans, federal loans through the SBA, or personal financing options. Additionally, consider alternatives like crowdfunding or investment from angel or venture capital investors. Micro loans are accessible through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which can be located using the online CDFI locator. The SBA also offers a guide on funding your business.

While Texas does not require a general business license, there are a number of state and local permits and licenses required to operate a business in Texas. Both the Bastrop County and City of Bastrop’s Building and Permitting pages contain information on local permits, and the city’s Development Services Department at City Hall can assist with this and more as well. Apply for zoning applications, building permits, inspection requests, or meetings with staff on the MyGov Citizen Portal.

Certificate of Occupancy

A certificate of occupancy is required for any business opening and operating within a building. (Food trucks require a mobile food vendor permit.) Check in and receive this certificate with the city’s Development Services Department.

Home-Based Rules

The City of Bastrop allows no-impact home-based businesses provided they remain "incidental and subordinate" to residential use. For most home-based businesses, commercial signage is prohibited.

Food, Alcohol, & Special Permits

Operating a business that serves food or alcohol in Bastrop requires a layered permitting process involving both the City of Bastrop and Bastrop County.

For planning, guidance, and support, consult with Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, located right across the hall from the Development Services Department at City Hall. The BEDC connects entrepreneurs and business owners with valuable tools, funding opportunities, and expert guidance from organizations at the local, regional, and state levels. Their mission is to make any new venture in Bastrop a successful one. 

Connections & Resources

The BEDC will put you in touch with the right people to get your business off the ground as quickly as possible. Additionally, the BEDC will make sure you have access to critical hiring and employer resources and support organizations in the area.

Business Planning

The business plan serves as the strategic blueprint for your business. It details your primary goals, structure, financial needs, and competitive strengths in the local market. Both the U.S. Small Business Administration and Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office offer helpful templates and further guidance to aid you in creating your business plan. The BEDC is also available at City Hall to help review and revise your plan to ensure you get the most out of building in Bastrop.

Financial Guidance

There are a variety of options available when it comes to funding your new business. The BEDC will help you find the right financing options. The BEDC will walk you through what banks require for a loan, help connect you to the right people, and provide you with any further guidance needed to ensure your new venture in Bastrop is a successful one.

If you plan to hire employees, familiarize yourself with federal and state employer requirements. To learn more, visit the Texas Workforce Commission’s businesses and employers webpage for comprehensive employer resources.

Leverage support organizations to help you navigate the challenges of starting and running a business.