Most of what's written about the HB 2844 inspection is guesswork — recycled from old city health department rules that don't apply anymore. Here's what we're actually seeing from operators who've been through it, checked against DSHS's own written requirements.
If you're a Category 2 applicant with no current Texas license, you can't operate until this inspection is done. Knowing what to expect makes it a lot less stressful.
The Inspector Meets You at a Designated Location
In practice: if you operate from a set spot, that's usually where they'll meet you. If you move around and don't have one fixed location, DSHS designates somewhere convenient — a public parking lot works fine. Bringing an accurate itinerary matters here: it's part of how they confirm where to meet you and that your operation can actually travel.
How scheduling works: DSHS emails first, then calls to set a time. You'll know roughly when they're coming, even without an exact hour.
Power and Water at the Time of Inspection
In practice: we've now heard from two separate confirmed operators showing the same pattern — one who moves around ran on a generator, another who operates from a fixed spot was allowed a hard electrical connection, and both were licensed. That doesn't override the written rule above; it appears to come down to inspector discretion for stationary operators. Don't count on being allowed a permanent hookup. Show up able to run fully self-sufficient, and treat anything beyond that as a possible allowance, not a guarantee.
- Water system has to be live — hot water and refrigeration temps get checked while it's running, not powered down.
- Bring your variance letter — this covers your water fill-up and wastewater disposal setup.
If your truck is actively serving during the inspection, expect them to watch you handle food and water in real time. If you're closed, they'll check the systems without the live run-through.
Want to Make Sure Your Food Truck Is Ready Before Inspection?
Get the Food Truck Success Kit — a practical preparation guide with checklists, document organization, and inspection preparation tips created for Texas food truck operators.
GET THE SUCCESS KIT FOR $29It's Thorough — Plan for Two Hours
DSHS inspectors document everything. Real numbers from a recent inspection:
- About 100 photos of the inside and outside of the unit
- Roughly two hours, start to finish
- Every piece of required paperwork gets checked — display it, don't just have it in a folder somewhere
Where Does the Allergy Notice Go?
You need one posted. Placement isn't strict — anywhere visible is fine. Don't overthink where it goes; just make sure it's up and readable.
Quick-Reference Checklist
This covers the physical setup. For the exact documents DSHS says to bring and the questions they'll ask, see our complete official checklist — pulled directly from the DSHS Mobile Food Vendor Guide.
- Power ready — generator fueled and able to run the full inspection on its own
- Water system operational — hot water and fridges at safe temps
- Variance letter for water fill-up and wastewater disposal
- Allergy notice posted and visible
- Food handler / manager certifications on board and current
- All required permits and documentation displayed, not just stored
- Menu and any required signage matches what's actually on the truck
Want to Make Sure Your Food Truck Is Ready Before Inspection?
Get the Food Truck Success Kit — a practical preparation guide with checklists, document organization, and inspection preparation tips created for Texas food truck operators.
GET THE SUCCESS KIT FOR $29Don't Walk In Guessing.
Our Permit Readiness Review checks your specific setup against the full DSHS checklist before your appointment.
START YOUR REVIEW — $99 · WE BEGIN IMMEDIATELYThe Takeaway
This isn't a pass/fail guessing game — it's a detailed, document-heavy process, but a predictable one once you know what's being checked. Every deficiency found on inspection day means a re-inspection fee, so the goal is simple: walk in with everything already matching what DSHS expects to see.