Body Shop Facility With Storage Lot Privileges
Automotive repair facility that is primarily a body shop and has qualified under Division 4 of Chapter 8, Article II of the Code of Ordinances to provide storage of customer vehicles for not more than 30 days in exchange for a fee pending the repair or other disposition of the vehicles.
Permit must be kept on premises.
An annual, non-scheduled, unannounced inspection can be conducted at anytime to ensure compliance.
Renewal invoices are sent 30 to 45 days prior to expiration date.
If the license is not renewed within 30 days after expiration, the applicant will have to re-apply as new and pay initial fee cost.
Applicant must present a letter from the Planning Department verifying the business is on a major thoroughfare.
- Business license application
- Criminal background check - conducted on the owner if a sole proprietorship or on an authorized person if a corporation or a general partnership. The background check is conducted at an IdentoGo site.
- Copy of Certificate of Occupancy or Life Safety Inspection for your building
- Additional information can be found here
- If applicant is a corporation:
- Copy of Articles of Incorporation
- Copy of Letter of Good Standing from the Texas Secretary of State
- Copy of Assumed Name Certificate if applicable
- Copy of survey or plat of property with engineer's seal
- Copy of lease agreement for property, if applicable
- A complete description of your estimating system identifying how it works
- A complete financial report demonstrating your total revenue for the business and how the revenue does not derive more than 25% of all income from storage fees
- Copy of the office plan showing the total square footage used for this business
- Copy of your parking lot plan showing the required parking spaces
- Copy of your fire permit for your paint stall
- A letter from the Planning Department verifying your location is on a major thoroughfare
- Picture of the frame machine and paint stall
- Pictures of two or more repair bays
- Picture of fence showing entrance to and from the major thoroughfare
- Picture of business sign with your appropriate information
- Picture of parking lot showing the surface and marked parking space
- Method of payment: business check, cashier's check, or money order. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted in person only.
- Call the Auto Dealers Detail at 832.394.4800 between 48 to 72 hours after completing the background check to ensure the criminal history has been obtained.
- Bring the completed application, supporting documents and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
- Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk and make your way to the basement.
- Scan your ticket at the reception desk to activate your place in line. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
- Pay the license fee at the Cashier's station located on the first floor
- Bring the receipt back down to Auto Dealers station in the basement.
- The City of Houston Automotive Board reviews the application for each new business including consideration of the findings of a criminal background check. Notice of an Automotive Board public hearing on the business application is published.
- Approval or denial is decided by the Board at the hearing:
- If denied, the applicant will be notified by letter.
- If approved, the license will be processed and may be obtained in person at the hearing or mailed to address on file.
- Call the Auto Dealers Detail at 832.394.4800 between 48 to 72 hours after completing the background check to ensure the criminal history has been obtained.
- Mail the completed application, required documents and payment (checks payable to the City of Houston) to:
Houston Police Department
Auto Dealers Detail
PO Box 3408
Houston, TX 77253-3408 - The City of Houston Automotive Board reviews the application for each new business including consideration of the findings of a criminal background check. Notice of an Automotive Board public hearing on the business application is published.
- Approval or denial is decided by the Board at the hearing:
- If denied, the applicant will be notified by letter.
- If approved, the license will be processed and may be obtained in person at the hearing or mailed to address on file.
- Invoice (mailed 30 to 45 days prior to expiration date to the address on file)
- Criminal background check - conducted on the owner if a sole proprietorship or on an authorized person if a corporation or a general partnership. The background check is conducted at an IdentoGo site.
- Copy of the Certificate of Occupancy, if not already on file with Auto Dealers
- Method of payment: business check, cashier's check, or money order. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted in person only.
- Call the Auto Dealers Detail at 832.394.4800 between 48 to 72 hours after completing the background check to ensure the criminal history has been obtained.
- If the background check passes, bring the invoice, Certificate of Occupancy (if needed), and payment to the Houston Permitting Center.
- Obtain a numbered ticket from the Information Desk and make your way to the basement.
- Scan your ticket at the reception desk to activate your place in line. Please wait in the lobby until your number is called.
- Pay the renewal fee at the Cashier's station located on the first floor.
- Bring the receipt back down to Auto Dealers station in the basement to receive the new license.
If the background check fails, contact Auto Dealers for next steps.
- Call the Auto Dealers Detail at 832.394.4800 between 48 to 72 hours after completing the background check to ensure the criminal history has been obtained.
- If the background check passes, mail the invoice, Certificate of Occupancy (if needed), and payment (checks payable to the City of Houston) to:
Houston Police Department
Auto Dealers Detail
PO Box 3408
Houston, TX 77253-3408 - The new license will be mailed to the address on file.
If the background check fails, contact Auto Dealers for next steps.
The applicant must pass a background check.
If the license is not renewed within 30 days after expiration, the applicant will have to re-apply as new and pay initial fee cost.