City workshop: Certificate of occupancy required; paperless permitting to launch Aug. 1

Eduardo Pineda, the City of Eagle Pass community development director, said a business certificate of occupancy is the local authorization required before occupying a commercial space. “A business certificate of occupancy is an official document issued by the local authority confirming that a building or tenant space complies with applicable building, fire, zoning, life and safety codes for its intended use,” he said.

Pineda told attendees that applications require a sales tax certificate and a site plan, and that a lease agreement is typically requested only at final approval to avoid premature commitments. He described the inspection sequence and fees: plan review and inspections involving building, fire and environmental health; a CO application fee the staff cited as $75 and a separate business license fee of $25. Pineda also emphasized that a single passing building inspection does not substitute for required fire or environmental checks: “you need to pass at least 2 inspections, sometimes 3, to get a certificate of occupancy.”

City staff announced a move to a paperless permitting platform on Aug. 1 and a training session led by Claudia Talamantes to help users register and navigate the new system. Pineda encouraged prospective entrepreneurs to use the community development booth and other informational booths at the event for guidance and said the department’s goal is to help businesses comply and reduce liability risks.

The workshop framed the CO as a safety and legal requirement: operating without one can trigger stop‑work orders and lost revenue while owners remedy deficiencies. Staff invited attendees to submit complete applications, contact departments in advance for courtesy inspections when possible and attend the August training to prepare for the new online workflow.