City of Keller, TX
Home Menu- What is Economic Development?
Through our core values of Excellence, Integrity, Service, Creativity, and Communication, the City of Keller Economic Development Office's mission is to improve the quality of life for residents and the business community of Keller through the recruitment and retention of targeted businesses that will increase property value and sales tax within the city.
- Does the city have a plan for Economic Development?
The City of Keller’s Economic Development Strategic Business Plan can be found here.
- Where can I find information for businesses in Keller?
Information on local businesses can be found at www.keepitinkeller.com, and in our local Shopping & Dining Guide.
- This is my first time opening a business in Keller. Where do I start?
The City of Keller’s New Business Guide can be found here.
For additional assistance, contact Economic Development at economicdevelopment@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4020
- Can I open a business in my home?
In the City of Keller, home-based businesses are referred to as Home Occupations, which are defined as activities that are secondary to the use of the home as a dwelling, and which are, in general, incidental uses of the property which will not be a nuisance for the neighborhood.
Uses that are not considered Home Occupations include:
- Beauty and barber shops
- Tearooms or restaurants
- Rest homes or clinics
- Bed and breakfast facilities
- Cabinet repair shops
- Metalworking shops
- Auto repair shops
Home Occupations are not permitted in multi-family residential zones or the Town Center District.
For more information on opening a Home-Based Business, contact Economic Development at economicdevelopment@cityofkeller.com, or call 817-743-4020
- Can I have a food truck in Keller?
All food trucks must be permitted and inspected by the Keller Fire Department before operating for business. For information on this process, click here.
You can contact the Fire Department at firerescue@cityofkeller.com, or by calling 817-743-4400.
- Do I need a permit or license to open my business?
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) is required before a business can operate. To apply for CO, sign permit, or to schedule an inspection, click here. For state licensing and permit requirements, see the guide below.
A permit is required for signage.
For additional permit information, click here.
- What is a Certificate of Occupancy?
When a new business goes into an existing building, and/or a new owner buys an existing business, a Certificate of Occupancy is required. The following inspections must be passed in order to receive the CO:
- Permanent Power (if the electricity is not already on)
- Fire Inspection
- Building Inspection
- How do I apply for permits?
Information on applying for a permit can be found here.
For additional information, contact Building Services at buildingservices@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4110.
- What is a Specific Use Permit (SUP)?
Formal permission to allow a specific exception to the zoning regulations from a list of acceptable exceptions for a particular parcel of land in a district of a particular zoning character.
*May also be referred to as a Special Use Permit.
- How do I apply for a Specific Use Permit?
Applications for a Specific Use Permit must go before the Planning & Zoning Commission and be approved by City Council. A public hearing is held at both meetings.
The application for a Specific Use Permit can be found here.
For additional information on the application process, contact Community Development at communitydevelopment@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4130.
- Do I need inspections to open my business?
The following inspections must be passed in order to receive a Certificate of Occupancy:
- Permanent Power (if the electricity is not already on)
- Fire Inspection
- Building Inspection
- How do I schedule an inspection?
Commercial Inspection Guidelines can be found here. Inspections can be scheduled via our online portal, www.cityofkeller.com/css.
For additional information, contact Building Services at buildingservices@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4110.
The 2022 Business Licenses & Permits Guide is now available!
This guide offers information on licenses and permits that may be required for more than 300 business types, including direct links to appropriate state resources that can help address permitting needs.
For more information contact the Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance at smallbusiness@gov.tex.gov.
- Where can I find locations for sale or lease in Keller?
To view our list of available commercial properties, click here.
- How do I find out who owns a particular building or lot?
Visit the Tarrant Appraisal District (www.tad.org)
- Does the City of Keller offer incentives for business development?
The City of Keller is committed to the attraction, expansion, and retention of high-quality projects to enhance the quality of life for all citizens. To that end, the City of Keller will consider economic development incentives on a case by case basis.
Visit our Economic Development Incentives page here.
- How does the city help small businesses?
The City of Keller is committed to supporting local businesses through a variety of programs.
- View the Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program here.
- View the Keep it in Keller shop local program here.
- To visit the Keep it in Keller Facebook page, click here.
- View the City of Keller Shopping & Dining Guide here.
- For additional information, contact Economic Development at economicdevelopment@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4020
- What programs or resources are available to local businesses?
Information on the City of Keller’s Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program can be found here.
A full list of resources for local businesses can be found on pages 15 & 16 of our New Business Guide.
- What are zoning districts?
Zoning districts designate permitted uses of land based on mapped zones which separate one set of land uses from another. Zoning helps protect property values and the overall quality of the community by controlling density of construction, intensity of land use, and setting development standards.
To view the City of Keller Zoning District Map, click here.
- What zoning district is my business allowed in?
Information on which uses are permitted in each zoning district can be found here.
Contact Community Development at communitydevelopment@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4130 for additional assistance.
- The business I want to open isn’t allowed in my zoning district. What can I do?
The City of Keller’s Unified Development Code allows for a property to be rezoned. Zoning changes must go before the Planning & Zoning Commission, and be approved by City Council. A public hearing is held at both meetings.
View the Zoning Change Application here.
For more information on the rezoning process, contact Community Development at communitydevelopment@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4130.
- I want to develop land for my business. How do I start that process?
Information on the development process in the City of Keller can be found here.
For more information, contact Community Development at communitydevelopment@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4130
To view available commercial land sites in the City of Keller, click here.
For assistance in finding a suitable location for a commercial development, contact Economic Development at economicdevelopment@cityofkeller.com or call 817-743-4020.
- How can I advertise my business in Keller?
Businesses can be advertised through our shop local program, Keep it in Keller.
Business events can also be sent to our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/keepitinkeller.
For more information, contact Economic Development at economicdevelopment@cityofkeller.comor call 817-743-4020.
- Does the City have a shop local program?
The City has a shop local program called Keep it in Keller to promote and support local businesses. Visit www.keepitinkeller.com, and like us on Facebook.
- What kind of signage is allowed for my business?
- A permit is required for all signage.
- The Town Center Zoning District and Old Town Keller District both have their own sign regulations.
- Typically, one monument sign is permitted per lot.
- One attached sign is allowed per building elevation. For multi-tenant buildings one sign is permitted per business, except businesses occupying the corners of the building, in which case two attached signs are allowed.
- Pole signs are not allowed in the city limits of Keller.
To view sign regulations, click here.
Economic Development, Keller Town Hall
Physical: 1100 Bear Creek Pkwy., Keller, TX 76248
Mailing: PO Box 770, Keller, TX 76244
817-743-4020, economicdevelopment@cityofkeller.com