Open a Small Storefront

Thinking about opening a small storefront in Gainesville? Here are the public desks to talk to, in order, and what to confirm before you spend money.

This is a routine public process, not a special hurdle. The same public desks handle this for everyone, and you can ask them to walk you through it. You don't have to get everything right at once — take it one step at a time, and confirm as you go.

As of 2026-06-27. Public requirements can change; confirm current details with the public desk.

Steps

Step 1: Before you start (your own prep)
Write down exactly what you want to do and where (the address or area).
Confirm: Be ready to describe the use, the location, and whether it's inside Gainesville city limits or the ETJ.
Where this comes from: See 'Who to contact first' on this page.
Step 2: Gainesville Planning and Zoning
Ask Gainesville Planning and Zoning whether your intended use is allowed at that location.
Who you'll talk to: Community Development Services Director / Building Official Mike Doughty — (940) 668-4799 — info@gainesville.tx.us
Confirm: Whether the use is allowed, and any special-use permit, change-of-use, or overlay rules that apply.
Where this comes from: Gainesville Planning and Zoning — official page: https://www.gainesville.tx.us/169/Planning-Zoning (as of 2026-05-26, aging)
Step 3: Gainesville permitting / certificates desk
Ask the Gainesville permitting / certificates desk what permits, certificates, or inspections your plan needs.
Who you'll talk to: Community Development Services Director / Building Official Mike Doughty — (940) 668-4799 — info@gainesville.tx.us
Confirm: Which permits or certificates apply, the forms and fees, and the order of steps before you open.
Where this comes from: Gainesville permitting / certificates desk — official page: https://www.gainesville.tx.us/583/Permits-Issued (as of 2026-04-30, aging)
Step 4: Confirm with public staff
Before signing a lease or spending build-out money, confirm everything directly with the public desk.
Confirm: Current requirements, deadlines, and the next accountable step — get it in writing if you can.
Where this comes from: See 'Who to contact first' on this page.

Questions to ask

Is my intended use allowed at this address today?
Do I need a certificate of occupancy, building permit, trade permit, inspection, or change-of-use review?
Which forms, fees, drawings, inspections, or public meetings most often come before opening?
Which public desk should I recheck this week before signing a lease or spending buildout money?

Before you spend money

Start with Gainesville Planning and Zoning and ask: Can you confirm whether this use is allowed at this location and what review comes first?
Confirm current responsibility, jurisdiction, and process sequence with the public desk or body.
Confirm city-limit, ETJ, special district, utility, fire, floodplain, access, and right-of-way boundaries if relevant.
Confirm forms, fees, deadlines, inspection steps, agenda paths, and public-hearing triggers before relying on the journey.

Something look wrong? See something here that is wrong, out of date, or about you? You can ask us to correct it. Corrections are tied to public sources and reviewed by a person — records are never silently changed.

Tell us the public record or desk this is about.
Describe the specific correction you are requesting.
Point to supporting public documentation or the responsible public office.
Leave contact information so a person can follow up.