Alcohol Permits

HOW TO OBTAIN A CITY OF SEABROOK, TEXAS, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE PERMIT

Begin the Process with TABC

To start the permitting process, contact the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for assistance or apply online for a license or permit. This packet must be approved by the City Secretary and by other county and state agencies.

Submitting Your Pre-Qualification Packet for City Approval

To obtain the City Secretary’s signature, you may submit your completed packet using one of the following methods:

  • Visit City Hall at 1700 1st Street, Seabrook, Texas 77586. We recommend calling at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability.
  • By Mail: Send your packet to:
    City of Seabrook
    Attn: City Secretary Department
    1700 1st Street
    Seabrook, Texas 77586
    • Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return delivery.
  • By Email: Send a PDF of your packet to citysec@seabrooktx.gov, and it will be electronically signed and returned via email.

There is no fee for obtaining the City Secretary’s signature.

Completing the Process & Obtaining Your City Permit

Once your TABC application is approved and you receive a state-issued permit, the City of Seabrook will issue an invoice for the required city permit. Upon payment, the city permit will be provided. If your establishment has an active food permit, please give a copy to the City before your city permit can be issued.

City Municipal Boundaries & Code of Ordinances Information

Municipal Boundaries

The City of Seabrook processes TABC prequalification packets only for businesses within our municipal boundaries.

If your business is outside the city limits of Seabrook, Texas, you can contact Harris County or the appropriate city for help.

City Codes

No person shall manufacture, sell, distribute, or store any alcoholic beverage, or engage in any other activity with relation to the same for which a permit is required by the state Alcoholic Beverage Code, within the city without first obtaining a license so to do from the city. Additionally, unless state law exempts a permittee or licensee from paying a fee, the permittee must pay the city an annual permit or license fee equal to one-half the amount of the state fee for each permit and license authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages. 

Before any license is issued under the provisions of this division, the applicant shall pay to the city a fee as outlined in the TABC Licenses and Permits maximum local fee schedule.

All taxes, permits, and/or license fees levied by this division shall be paid in advance for one year.

For additional city regulations, please refer to the City of Seabrook Code of Ordinances. 

Important Update: Texas Senate Bill 1008

Effective September 1, 2025, Texas Senate Bill 1008 introduced new restrictions on how local governments assess fees for food and drink establishments. Under the updated law, specifically Section 437.01235 of the Texas Health and Safety Code:

“A county, municipality, or public health district, including an authorized agent, employee, or department, may not charge a fee under Section 11.38 or 61.36, Alcoholic Beverage Code, if the premises is a food service establishment, retail food store, mobile food unit, roadside food vendor, or temporary food service establishment that has already paid a fee to operate to the department or to any county, municipality, or public health district.”

Changes to current processes

The City of Seabrook will no longer charge alcohol permitting fees to the following establishments if they meet one of the following conditions and provide a copy of an active food permit to the City:

  • Food Service Establishments with a valid health permit from the Harris County Public Health & Food Safety Division.
  • Establishments that have already paid a fee to operate as a food service establishment to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Have questions?

Email the City Secretary’s Office or call (281) 291-5663.