Planning Permits & Licenses

The planning department issues various types of permits and licenses.

To apply for permit: Apply online

To apply for a license: Download the PDF application and submit to Planning Department planning@wacotx.gov or 401 Franklin Ave, Waco, TX 76701

If you have specific questions on obtaining a permit or license, please schedule an appointment with planning services zoning inspector or planning permit tech.
(254) 750-5650 or planning@wacotx.gov

Fee Schedule(PDF, 142KB)


Food Trucks

Checklist and Required Forms for License:

Private open air vending means the sale, bartering or exchange of a good or service which is conducted exclusively outside of a permanent structure and not at a flea market as that term is defined in section 28-1, by an individual or to an individual, either of which is within or upon real property which is privately owned, is zoned for commercial use, and is not within or upon real property or easements or other property controlled, in part or in whole, or required to be maintained, in part or in whole, by the city within the corporate limits of the city.

Public open air vending means the sale, bartering or exchange of a good or service which is conducted exclusively outside of a permanent structure, by an individual or to an individual, either of which is within or upon real property or easements or other property controlled, in part or in whole, or required to be maintained, in part or in whole, by the city within the corporate limits of the city.

Farmer's Market

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).

Community Garden

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).

Street Furnishing

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.