Opening a food truck in the city of Houston, TX requires several permits and licenses. These include a Food Dealers, Handlers Permit, a permit from the Houston Fire Marshall, compliance with the City of Houston Smoking Ordinance, a Commercial Permit, a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), and a permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission if you plan to serve alcohol. Additionally, you must comply with certain requirements such as scheduling a medallion inspection and having an automatic fire extinguishing system over cooking equipment.
1. Food Dealers, Handlers Permit
Purpose: This permit is required for food service businesses including mobile food units.
How to Register: You can apply for this permit from the City of Houston Health Department. More information can be found here.
2. Houston Fire Marshal Permit
Purpose: This permit is needed for handling flammable liquids and combustibles.
How to Register: You can apply for this permit from the Houston Fire Marshall. More information can be found here.
3. Compliance with the City of Houston Smoking Ordinance
Purpose: This is required if applicable to your food truck business.
How to Register: More information can be found here.
4. Commercial Permit
Purpose: This permit is needed for businesses engaged in commercial activities like roadside vending, amusement and game machines, flea markets, dance halls, scrap dealers, mini warehouses, loudspeaker operation, and others.
How to Register: You can apply for this permit from the City of Houston Administration and Regulatory Affairs Department. More information can be found here.
5. Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
Purpose: This certificate is required for your food truck business.
How to Register: You can apply for this certificate from the Department of Public Works & Engineering. More information can be found here.
6. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Permit
Purpose: This permit is required if you plan to serve alcohol.
How to Register: You can apply for this permit by calling 713-426-7900 or 800-622-5991.
7. Mobile Food Unit Medallion
Purpose: This permit applies to all types of mobile food units including food trucks, food trailers, ice cream trucks, fixed location units, and carts.
Estimated Cost: The permit costs $665.29 and is valid for one year. There are also additional fees for plan review ($42.71), inspection ($103.76), and admin costs ($30.51). If an inspection is failed, a reinspection fee of $101.06 is charged along with an admin fee of $29.72.
How to Register: You can apply for this permit from the Houston Health Department. More information can be found here.
8. Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Permit
Purpose: This permit is required for your food truck business.
Estimated Cost: Fees for initial applications, renewals, and change of ownership are $258.00 per unit. Fees for amendments are $125.00.
How to Register: You can apply for this permit from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). More information can be found in this PDF at their website (Download PDF).
More Resources
For more detailed information, you can refer to these guides by the Houston Health Department:
Mobile food unit required documents checklist with forms (Download PDF)
Operating a mobile food unit in the City of Houston (Download PDF)
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