Houston, TX — Food truck permit
Houston's mobile-food permitting is being handed to the State of Texas. As of May 15, 2026 the Houston Health Department no longer accepts new Mobile Food Unit plan-review applications, City of Houston medallions stop being valid after June 2026, and the statewide DSHS permit under HB 2844 takes over July 1, 2026. The legacy city process: a $708 Mobile Food Unit medallion, a fire LP-gas certificate, and a mandatory Central Preparation Facility (commissary).
Texas HB 2844 is moving Houston food-truck permitting to the State of Texas (DSHS). The Houston Health Department stopped accepting new Mobile Food Unit plan-review applications on May 15, 2026, and City of Houston medallions are not valid after June 2026. The statewide DSHS permit takes effect July 1, 2026 — we'll update this page for the new process then.
Medallion + fire cert are minor; commissary rent ($150–$800/mo) dominates. The city permit itself is being phased out — see the notice above.
Licenses
| License | Who needs it | Fee | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
Mobile Food Unit Medallion (City of Houston) | Food trucks operating under the City of Houston before the July 1, 2026 state transition. | $708 Legacy city permit — not valid after June 2026 | 1 year |
Houston Fire Code Certificate of Compliance (LP-Gas) | Nearly all cooking trucks — any open-flame cooking (propane, natural gas, solid fuel). | $225 | Annual |
Statewide DSHS permit (from July 1, 2026) | Every Texas food truck once HB 2844 takes effect. Tier depends on how much you cook on board. | Varies Three tiers: $300–$1,350 initial + up to $500 inspection; $300–$850 annual renewal | 1 year |
Requirements
- Central Preparation Facility (commissary) agreement
Houston requires every mobile food unit to operate from a licensed Central Preparation Facility — prep, storage, cleaning, and daily wastewater disposal. You report to the CPF daily for supplies and servicing. Without a signed commissary agreement, the MHFD application is not approved. Budget $150–$800/month.
Cost: $150–$800/month
- Fire suppression + Class K extinguisher
An Ansul (or equivalent) automatic fire suppression system over all cooking appliances (NFPA 96 compliant), a Class K portable extinguisher, and propane tanks secured and ventilated (100-lb max on most trucks).
- Commercial-grade equipment + plumbing
Residential appliances are prohibited. Inspectors check a dedicated handwashing sink, a 3-compartment sink, temperature control, and adequate water-system capacity.
- Full document set at inspection
Bring the commissary agreement, food handler certs, food manager cert, and vehicle registration — even if not explicitly requested. Missing documents are a top cause of re-inspection delays.
- Texas business registration, sales tax, insurance
Entity + EIN, Texas sales tax permit, and general liability insurance.
Realistic timeline
| Phase | Duration | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm which system applies | Before anything | New city plan-review intake closed May 15, 2026. If you're not already in the city pipeline, you're applying under the statewide DSHS permit (July 1, 2026). Confirm before spending money. Stall: Assuming the city still takes new applications — it stopped May 15, 2026. |
| Business + commissary setup | Week 1–4 | Entity, EIN, Texas sales tax, and a signed Central Preparation Facility agreement. Stall: Commissary waitlists; not budgeting the $150–$800/mo fee. |
| Build to code + fire prep | Week 2–6 | Commercial equipment, fire suppression, LP-gas system; get the Houston Fire Code Certificate of Compliance. Stall: Buying the truck before permitting — it may not meet code and need costly modifications. |
| Inspection + permit | Week 4–8 | Schedule early — COHD inspection slots fill 2–3 weeks out, especially in spring. Pass to get the medallion. Stall: Waiting for equipment to be 'perfect' before booking the inspection slot. |
Common rejection / stall reasons
- Not realizing the city stopped taking applications
Houston Health Department closed new MFU plan-review intake on May 15, 2026; permitting moves to Texas DSHS July 1, 2026.
- No signed Central Preparation Facility agreement
Houston won't approve the MHFD application without a verified commissary; daily CPF check-in is required.
- Residential appliances or undersized plumbing
All equipment must be commercial-grade; handwashing sink, 3-comp sink, temp control, and water capacity are checked.
- Buying the truck before permitting
A truck that doesn't meet code means expensive rework or denial.
- Operating without a permit
Fines of $500–$2,000, truck impoundment, and permit denial.
Official sources
Contacts
- Houston Health Department
- Bureau of Consumer Health Services
- Harris County food portal
- fsp.hcphtx.org
FAQ
- Can I still get a City of Houston food truck permit?
- Not as a new applicant. The Houston Health Department stopped accepting Mobile Food Unit plan-review applications on May 15, 2026. City medallions are no longer valid after June 2026. Beginning July 1, 2026, permitting moves to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) under HB 2844.
- What did the legacy Houston permit cost?
- A Mobile Food Unit Medallion was $708/year, plus a $225.14 annual Houston Fire Code Certificate of Compliance for LP-gas (open-flame) cooking, plus commissary rent of $150–$800/month.
- Do I need a commissary in Houston?
- Yes. Houston requires every mobile food unit to operate from a licensed Central Preparation Facility for prep, storage, cleaning, and daily wastewater disposal. The permit won't issue without a signed, verified agreement, and you report to the CPF daily.
- What does the new Texas statewide permit involve?
- HB 2844 creates a single DSHS permit (effective July 1, 2026) replacing city permits statewide. It has three tiers ($300–$1,350 initial, $300–$850 renewal, up to $500 per inspection), drops the state commissary requirement, and creates a public database of trucks and inspection results.