Starting a Business or Moving into a New Space?

To start a new business and/or move a business into a new space, a Certificate of Occupancy is needed for the new location. To receive a Certificate of Occupancy when no interior alterations are planned, apply for a Commercial Check to ensure that the space is safe and compatible with the intended use. If interior alterations are planned for the space, such as adding a kitchen, obtain the applicable building permits instead of applying for a Commercial Check.

Applying for a Commercial Check

  • Apply for a Commercial Check/Clean & Show permit through the portal and answer each application question. Be sure to list the proposed business name and details on the type of business and items or services offered. Review the City of Waco's zoning ordinance for permitted uses for each zoning district.
  • Development Services will verify that the intended use of the business complies with applicable zoning regulations.
  • Be prepared to upload a drawing or floor plan of the space showing how it will be used. Mark dimensions for each room and notate where the fixtures are located (water heater, exits, toilets, all types of sinks, etc.). The layout can be hand-drawn. We encourage everyone to use graph paper where 1 square=1 square foot.
  • Once the request has been approved and invoiced, our office will send an email with instructions to log in and pay. Refer to the commercial check fee for the cost.

Commercial Check Inspection

  • Once payment has been made, call (254) 750-5612 to schedule the inspection.
  • A confirmation email will be sent with the date and approximate time window of the inspection.
  • Please be sure to review the Inspection Checklist below. Oftentimes, a failed inspection could have been prevented by using the checklist. Call Inspection Services at (254) 750-5612 with any questions about the items on the list.
  • An applicant or representative is required to be on site during the commercial check inspection. Inspections are performed by multiple departments and inspectors may come between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on the scheduled inspection date.
  • Failure to show for a scheduled inspection will result in a no-show fee, to be paid before scheduling a reinspection.

Inspection Checklist

General

  • Check for a change of business use and verify occupancy type
  • Verify building or new lease space has a posted address
  • Check for any new work installed and verify permits and inspections were completed; any work completed without a permit will need to be inspected
  • Inspector will calculate occupancy load (the maximum number of people permitted in a building or space at any one time)

Ensure the building is safe to occupy

  • Does the roof leak? Is the space secure and protected from the elements?
  • Was there any trade work done without a permit?
  • Is there broken glass?
  • Are there other obvious, reasonable life safety hazards?

Check for egress components, where required or applicable

  • Exit lighting in place and illuminated, with battery backup
  • Emergency lighting
  • Stairways, handrailing, and ramps
  • Exit doors and landings, exit door hardware

Fire safety

  • Portable fire extinguishers, every 75 feet with current inspection tags
  • Fire alarm and fire sprinkler, where applicable, with current inspection tags
  • Type 1 hood, where applicable, with current inspection tags
  • Separated from adjacent lease space(s) by a fire resistive assembly
  • Check fire wall assemblies penetrations (openings in fire-rated walls for pipes, cables, or ducts must be sealed with tested firestop systems to maintain the wall's ability to stop fire, smoke, and heat spread)

Plumbing

  • Verify required number of restrooms and restroom fixtures for occupancy type
  • Verify all plumbing fixtures are functioning, including hot and cold water, and are proper for type of business (for example: food service, salon)
  • Ensure water heater is properly installed
  • If equipped, verify fuel gas piping, venting, and combustion air components are in place and functioning
  • Check for backflow prevention devices where required, including on kitchen/food service equipment, and verify current testing; if there is not a backflow device, a licensed plumber will need to pull a permit to install one and provide the test report

Electrical

  • Electrical service should only serve the building or lease space being inspected
  • All electrical equipment, including those serving plumbing appliances and HVAC components, must have required working clearances
  • Verify service equipment is functioning, devices are installed and secure, and lighting is installed and secure
  • Panel boards should have no unused openings, and the front/cover must be installed and secure
  • No open/hazardous or any type of unsafe wiring
  • No electrical room/area hazards- Storage of items cannot block electrical room or panel or cause fire hazard

HVAC Components

  • Confirm that heating, ventilation, exhaust and cooling is in place that is required per occupancy type and is functioning
  • Verify ductwork and HVAC system components are in place and functioning
  • Must have appropriate ventilation/exhaust for occupancy type (note: nail salons and barber shops/beauty salons have specific ventilation requirements)

Kitchen/Food Service Area (where applicable)

  • Grease interceptor or automatic grease removal device is required; submission of a grease interceptor sizing calculation worksheet is required
  • Check that three compartment sink, food prep sink, and dishwasher are properly installed
  • Check that three compartment sink, mop/service sink, food prep sink, and floor drain(s) are plumbed to the grease interceptor
  • Verify reverse osmosis system is functional and properly installed, if present
  • If type 1 or 2 commercial kitchen hood is in place, verify proper installation, current inspection tags are posted, and type "K" portable fire extinguisher is installed

After a Commercial Check

A successful commercial check results in a Certificate of Occupancy for a specific business at a specific location. A commercial check inspection may identify other necessary work to be permitted and completed by a licensed trade professional.

If power release authorization is needed, the City will issue a power release to the utility provider (Oncor or HOTEC) when the space passes inspection. The utility provider can then restore service or activate your new account.

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