San Antonio's food truck scene has grown fast, from the St. Mary's Strip to Southtown to dedicated food truck parks across Bexar County. For years, that growth ran through San Antonio Metro Health's local mobile food permitting process. HB 2844 replaces that with a single statewide license. Here's exactly what changes for San Antonio operators.
Metro Health Permitting Is Being Replaced by DSHS
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B, the licensing and inspection of mobile food vendors statewide now falls under DSHS authority, preempting local health departments — including San Antonio Metro Health — from issuing their own separate mobile food vendor permits going forward.
If you hold a current Metro Health mobile food permit, that qualifies you as a Category 1 applicant: you can keep operating while your DSHS application processes, provided you carry your existing permit and your DSHS application receipt on your vehicle. Operators with no current Texas license anywhere are Category 2, and cannot legally operate until they pass their DSHS pre-licensing inspection.
San Antonio Fee Breakdown by Type
San Antonio's food truck scene spans all three MFV types — from prepackaged paleta carts to full taco and barbacoa trucks. Per the DSHS fee schedule:
- Type I (prepackaged only): $309 application fee, no pre-licensing inspection fee
- Type II (limited prep): $618 application + $400 inspection = $1,018 total
- Type III (full kitchen): $876 application + $500 inspection = $1,376 total
Most San Antonio trucks serving tacos, barbacoa, puffy tacos, or any made-to-order menu fall under Type III — the classification with the highest fees and the most rigorous pre-licensing inspection.
CPF / Commissary Access in San Antonio
San Antonio has a growing shared commercial kitchen market, which works well for the Central Preparation Facility (CPF) requirement most Type II and III operators face. If your truck is equipped with sufficient cooling, heating, holding, and warewashing capacity to meet the CPF exemption checklist, you may not need a separate commissary — but that determination is made by the DSHS inspector at your pre-licensing inspection, not in advance.
Get San Antonio-Specific Clarity Before You Apply.
We confirm your MFV type, your Bexar County CPF situation, and your full documentation checklist — so you walk into your DSHS inspection ready, not guessing.
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HB 2844 preempts state-level health licensing, not every form of local oversight. Expect San Antonio and Bexar County to continue regulating:
- Zoning and approved vending locations
- Fire department permits for festivals and large events
- Special event permits for things like Fiesta and other organized gatherings
- Private food truck park membership agreements and lot rules
What to Do Right Now
- Confirm your MFV type — most full-prep San Antonio trucks are Type III
- Check your Category status based on your current Metro Health permit, if you have one
- Confirm your CPF arrangement or find out if your equipment qualifies for the exemption
- Apply through DSHS Online Licensing Services before the deadline rush
- Get inspection-ready — a failed inspection means a $400–$500 re-inspection fee and a grounded truck