Order your free copy now and learn all you need to know about living the good life in the nation's fourth largest city!
| Need to Know Information About Houston and the Region |
Registering to Vote in Texas
To be eligible to register to vote in Texas, any U.S. citizen residing in Texas must meet these requirements:
In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters. You may obtain an application from the county Voter Registrar’s office, the Secretary of State’s Office, libraries, many post offices or high schools. You can also visit sos.state.tx.us/elections where you can request an official, postage-paid application. Or, you can download an informal application that will need a stamp before mailing. You can also register to vote when you apply for or renew your driver’s license.
Property Taxes
While there is no personal income tax in Texas, there are property taxes, also called ad valorem taxes, which are locally assessed. Your county appraisal district appraises property located in the county, while local taxing units set tax rates and collect property taxes based on those values. Property taxes provide more tax dollars for local services in Texas than any other source – they help pay for public schools, city streets, county roads, police, fire protection and many other services. In Houston, the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar collect, record and disburse property taxes.
Sales and use Tax
State sales and use tax is imposed on all retail sales, leases and rentals of most goods, as well as taxable services. Texas cities, counties, transit authorities and special purpose districts have the option of imposing an additional local sales tax for a combined total of state and local taxes of 8.25 percent. In Harris County, the sales rate is 8.25 percent, but the rate can vary in different areas. To find out the tax rate for a specific area, visit www.window.state.tx.us and click on Texas Taxes.
Pet Licensing
The state of Texas requires that dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and on a 1-year or 3-year basis thereafter depending on the vaccine used. Additionally, when traveling with a dog or cat, have in your possession a rabies vaccination certificate that was signed by a veterinarian. Check with your veterinarian about other vaccines that are available for a wide range of diseases.
All dogs and cats over 3 months of age that are being transported into Texas must have been vaccinated against rabies within the last 12 or 36 months depending on the vaccine used.
In Houston, the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC) enforces city ordinances that encourage annual rabies vaccination and licensing of pets and requires that all dogs are confined in a yard or on a leash. BARC investigates animal bites and encourages spaying/neutering to control the unwanted animal population. The kennel is open to the public 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. (houstontx.gov/health/BARC)
In Houston, cats and dogs must be licensed. City license tags cost $10 if the animal has been spayed or neutered. If the pet owner is more than 65 years old, the first-year fee is $5. Tags cost $50 for animals that have not been spayed or neutered. Any veterinarian can vaccinate animals and provide license tags. Licenses must be renewed annually. For more information, call 713-229-7300.
Annual vaccinations can prevent several fatal animal diseases such as distemper and parvovirus in dogs and upper respiratory viruses and feline leukemia in cats. Dogs also are susceptible to heartworms, a disease carried by mosquitoes. All dogs should be tested and then given daily or monthly heartworm tablets.
Houston has a “pooper scooper” ordinance that makes it illegal to be out in public with your pet without carrying a pooper scooper, plastic bag or some other kind of disposal device. Violation of this section is punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than $75 or more than $500. Each violation of this section is a separate offense. For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov/health/quicktips/scooperlaw.html.
If you have an exotic animal, need general information or need details for such issues as dog kenneling and horse restrictions, contact the City of Houston Animal Control at 713-238-9600. For Harris County, call Animal Control at 281-999-3191.
Liquor Laws
In Texas, 21 years old is the minimum age to buy or consume liquor. You can buy alcoholic beverages in a liquor store Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; liquor stores are closed on Sunday. There are no sales of liquor on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day or Thanksgiving Day. In the event that Christmas Day or New Year’s Day is on a Sunday, stores are closed the following Monday. Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores from 7 a.m. to midnight on Monday through Friday, on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. and on Sunday from noon until midnight.
To be eligible to register to vote in Texas, any U.S. citizen residing in Texas must meet these requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old on election day
- Not be a convicted felon (unless sentence, probation and/or parole are completed)
- Not be declared mentally incapacitated by a court of law
In most Texas counties, the Tax Assessor-Collector is also the Voter Registrar. In some counties, the County Clerk or Elections Administrator registers voters. You may obtain an application from the county Voter Registrar’s office, the Secretary of State’s Office, libraries, many post offices or high schools. You can also visit sos.state.tx.us/elections where you can request an official, postage-paid application. Or, you can download an informal application that will need a stamp before mailing. You can also register to vote when you apply for or renew your driver’s license.
Property Taxes
While there is no personal income tax in Texas, there are property taxes, also called ad valorem taxes, which are locally assessed. Your county appraisal district appraises property located in the county, while local taxing units set tax rates and collect property taxes based on those values. Property taxes provide more tax dollars for local services in Texas than any other source – they help pay for public schools, city streets, county roads, police, fire protection and many other services. In Houston, the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar collect, record and disburse property taxes.
Sales and use Tax
State sales and use tax is imposed on all retail sales, leases and rentals of most goods, as well as taxable services. Texas cities, counties, transit authorities and special purpose districts have the option of imposing an additional local sales tax for a combined total of state and local taxes of 8.25 percent. In Harris County, the sales rate is 8.25 percent, but the rate can vary in different areas. To find out the tax rate for a specific area, visit www.window.state.tx.us and click on Texas Taxes.
Pet Licensing
The state of Texas requires that dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies by 4 months of age and on a 1-year or 3-year basis thereafter depending on the vaccine used. Additionally, when traveling with a dog or cat, have in your possession a rabies vaccination certificate that was signed by a veterinarian. Check with your veterinarian about other vaccines that are available for a wide range of diseases.
All dogs and cats over 3 months of age that are being transported into Texas must have been vaccinated against rabies within the last 12 or 36 months depending on the vaccine used.
In Houston, the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC) enforces city ordinances that encourage annual rabies vaccination and licensing of pets and requires that all dogs are confined in a yard or on a leash. BARC investigates animal bites and encourages spaying/neutering to control the unwanted animal population. The kennel is open to the public 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. (houstontx.gov/health/BARC)
In Houston, cats and dogs must be licensed. City license tags cost $10 if the animal has been spayed or neutered. If the pet owner is more than 65 years old, the first-year fee is $5. Tags cost $50 for animals that have not been spayed or neutered. Any veterinarian can vaccinate animals and provide license tags. Licenses must be renewed annually. For more information, call 713-229-7300.
Annual vaccinations can prevent several fatal animal diseases such as distemper and parvovirus in dogs and upper respiratory viruses and feline leukemia in cats. Dogs also are susceptible to heartworms, a disease carried by mosquitoes. All dogs should be tested and then given daily or monthly heartworm tablets.
Houston has a “pooper scooper” ordinance that makes it illegal to be out in public with your pet without carrying a pooper scooper, plastic bag or some other kind of disposal device. Violation of this section is punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than $75 or more than $500. Each violation of this section is a separate offense. For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov/health/quicktips/scooperlaw.html.
If you have an exotic animal, need general information or need details for such issues as dog kenneling and horse restrictions, contact the City of Houston Animal Control at 713-238-9600. For Harris County, call Animal Control at 281-999-3191.
Liquor Laws
In Texas, 21 years old is the minimum age to buy or consume liquor. You can buy alcoholic beverages in a liquor store Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; liquor stores are closed on Sunday. There are no sales of liquor on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day or Thanksgiving Day. In the event that Christmas Day or New Year’s Day is on a Sunday, stores are closed the following Monday. Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores from 7 a.m. to midnight on Monday through Friday, on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. and on Sunday from noon until midnight.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
