Texas Decorators: You Can Do Business From Your Garage!
Business By jewelykaye Updated 14 Jul 2007 , 3:05am by sweetcakes
Okay, I know this applies to me, here in Houston. I'm also aware of one other CC member in the Austin area that is able to do this as well. So, I'm assuming this is all of Texas.
I was reading through the Health Department Rules (Texas Administrative Code) and it seemed to have some discrepancies. So I contacted the corporate office in Austin. They referred me to the inspector that would actually cover my area in Houston.
When I spoke with him, Ruben, he stated (to make this short) that it is okay to build out your garage for this business!!! (I think it may have to be a detached garage) Of course, you have to go through the whole process of getting everything approved through your County's Health Department, the Fire Marshall and the Water District. But at least you don't have to buy or rent a building from someone else!!!
I have the man's name and number, if anyone would like it, to question him further (just PM me). Or you can ask me some questions and I'll tell you what he said. I warned him that I would be giving his number to some friends. He was very nice and quite knowledgable.
I'm so excited. I don't even own a house yet but I love this option as I don't have to throw money away every month to a rental and I don't have to save up to buy a shop AND build it out!
I hope this excites other people as much as myself! 
The garage would have to have a separate entrance and meet all health department standards. But the major roadblock for (I'm guessing) a lot of us is our neighborhood's zoning and restrictive covenants. My homeowner's association will never, never permit me to do this. 
you're both right, yes you can convert your garage to a commercial kitchen only if your city allows a home business. i am one of the lucky ones to have done this. i had a builder give me an estimate to build a wall, place a door, tile walls and floors, build custom cabinets and counters, that was it, no plumbing and no appliances, and that estimate was 12K, so hubby and i did it ourselves. im sure i spent less then that for the whole thing. you can see my pictures on my website. if you can get the permits approved and can afford it, go for it.
thanks kelleye
i still haven;t signed in for cakeboss yet. i had a new pc that is vista, but i think i will do it on the house pc.
Thanks for sharing you new kitchen. It is beautiful and now I am really jealous! Did you convert the full garage or 1/2? I am going to look into it but am pretty sure San Antonio won't let you. I made a call a long time ago and if it isn't zoned for business it is not allowed. Can anyone tell me if the Food Handler's license you can test for on-line is accepted by San Antonio? The city is not listed on the approved and accepted list and it tells me to check the State of Texas.
I just showed the pics to my husband and asked him to see what you and yours had built yourself. He wanted to know where you purchased the cabinets? They look like IKEA. Are they?
yes there came from ikea, love that place. since cabinets need to be 6" off the floor ikeas kitchens were just right, and i wanted smooth white, so its easy to clean, they were a snap to put together. its just 1/2 the garage, 10x23ft plenty of room for me. i now have an AC window unit that keeps it plenty cold in there. the other half of the garage is going to hold all our exercise equipment.
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