As of July 1, 2026, every food truck, trailer, and cart in Arlington needs a DSHS Mobile Food Vendor License. Arlington stopped issuing its own mobile food vendor permits back in September 2023, and the health license is now the state's. What is still local: Arlington Fire Prevention requirements, city zoning rules, and the temporary event permit used in the Entertainment District. Verified from official arlingtontx.gov pages.
Yes — one state license, plus whatever Arlington still handles locally. Since July 1, 2026 the health license for every Texas mobile food vendor is the DSHS Mobile Food Vendor License (House Bill 2844, Health & Safety Code Chapter 437B). Cities and counties no longer issue the health permit. Fire, zoning, and event permits are still local in Arlington. Here is how that breaks down in Arlington:
Required for every mobile food unit. Type I, II, or III — apply through DSHS Online Licensing.
Arlington stopped issuing its own mobile food vendor permits in September 2023. Since July 2026 the health license is the state's.
Fire-code requirements for mobile food units are handled by Arlington Fire Prevention, 817-459-5539. Verify before your first service.
Follow all city zoning and ordinance rules (Planning, 817-459-6502). Events use a Temporary Food Truck/Mobile Food Unit Permit.
Not sure which box you fall in? Call or text (956) 592-2896 — you'll talk to a Texas operator who deals with DSHS every week, not a call center.
Opening a new truck in Arlington means two separate processes: the state health license and the city's fire, zoning, and event rules. New operators who mix them up call the wrong office and lose weeks. Do it in this order:
Beginning July 1, 2026, every mobile food vendor operating in Arlington and Tarrant County must hold a license issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services. One license is valid everywhere in Texas, and a separate DSHS license is required for each food vending vehicle. Arlington stopped issuing its own mobile food vendor permits back in September 2023, and since July 2026 the health license is the state's.
Health licensing and inspections are handled by Texas DSHS, statewide. If a local inspector conducts an inspection, they are acting under a DSHS agreement — your license, fees, and health requirements come from the state.
Sells prepackaged food only. $309 DSHS application fee. No pre-licensing inspection fee. Examples: packaged snacks, bottled drinks, prepackaged meals.
Minimal food prep or ROP items. $618 application + $400 inspection = $1,018 in government fees. Examples: snow cones, hot dogs, deli items.
Cooks and serves made-to-order food. $876 application + $500 inspection = $1,376 in government fees. Examples: taco trucks, burger rigs, BBQ trailers.
CPF (commissary) rules are DSHS rules — the same statewide. Most Type II and III units need a licensed CPF or must qualify for the exemption. Read the CPF requirements →
HB 2844 moved the health license to the state. It did not touch fire codes, zoning, or event permits. This is what the City of Arlington still runs itself — pulled from official pages, with the source on every item.
The DSHS license says nothing about fire. In Arlington, fire-code requirements for mobile food units are handled by Arlington Fire Prevention, and the city directs operators with fire-code questions to 817-459-5539. Verify current inspection requirements before your first service, and keep your fire paperwork on the truck.
Arlington is clear that operators must follow all city zoning and ordinance requirements regardless of who issues the health license. Zoning questions go to Arlington Planning at 817-459-6502. Everywhere: stay out of residential zones, don't block traffic, driveways, fire lanes, or hydrants, and get written permission from the property owner.
The Entertainment District (around AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field) is the city's most active food truck area and runs largely on event-based permits. A Temporary Food Truck/Mobile Food Unit Permit for events is applied for at ArlingtonPermits.com, in addition to your DSHS license. Some of the city's permit pages still carry pre-July 2026 health-permit references, so confirm the current event-permit process with the city before you book.
Everything about food safety — the license, the health inspection, the sinks, the tanks, the commissary, the Certified Food Manager — is handled by DSHS. The DSHS license does not cover Fire Prevention requirements, zoning, or event permits; those stay with the City of Arlington. If anyone in Arlington tells you that you need a City of Arlington or Tarrant County mobile vendor health permit for your truck in 2026, that's outdated information.
Verified against official City of Arlington / DSHS pages on 2026-10-05. Local rules change without notice — if you were told something different, call us and we will check it with the source. See also: why the state permit doesn't cover fire inspections · how to get your Texas food truck permit, step by step · also in Tarrant County: Fort Worth food truck permit rules.
The DSHS pre-licensing inspection covers 28 items. One deficiency means a failed inspection — and DSHS confirmed there's no re-inspection fee for routine corrections, so what it really costs you is time. Back in the queue while your truck sits, and operators are already reporting waits of several months. We review your operation in advance so you pass the first time.
Questions before you buy? Call or text (956) 592-2896 — you'll talk to an actual Texas operator, not a call center.
Whether you need a clear action plan or full-service filing, we work with Arlington food truck operators at every stage of the DSHS process.
Full review of your Arlington operation. MFV type, Tarrant County CPF requirements, documentation checklist, and action plan within 48 hours.
START TODAYWe guide you through every step of the DSHS application — document collection, form preparation, inspection prep, and submission confirmation.
START YOUR APPLICATIONYou run your Arlington truck. We manage the entire DSHS licensing process from intake to approved inspection and issued license.
LET US HANDLE ITNot sure which level you need? Call or text (956) 592-2896 and describe your truck — we'll tell you straight which one fits, or if you don't need us at all.
Every confirmed client so far called first. Tell us what you run, where in Arlington you park, and what the city has told you — we'll tell you exactly what applies, in English or Spanish.
A failed inspection or an unlicensed operation can shut your Arlington truck down. We make sure that doesn't happen.
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