⚠ HB 2844 IS IN EFFECT — ALL TEXAS MOBILE FOOD VENDORS MUST HOLD A DSHS LICENSE TO OPERATE
HB 2844 DSHS COMPLIANCE · BROWNSVILLE, TX · CAMERON COUNTY · 956

Brownsville & 956
Food Truck Operators —
Get Licensed. Stay Open.

Under HB 2844, every food truck and mobile food vendor in Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley must hold a DSHS Mobile Food Vendor License. We prepare your documentation, identify what Cameron County requires, and get you inspection-ready — in English or Spanish.

$99FLAT FEE
48hrTURNAROUND
956RGV BASED
ESSE HABLA ESPAÑOL
HB 2844 IN BROWNSVILLE AND THE 956

Every Brownsville Food Truck
Now Requires a State DSHS License.

Beginning July 1, 2026, every mobile food vendor operating in Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, and the entire Rio Grande Valley must hold a license issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Your existing City of Brownsville health permit or Cameron County permit does not satisfy this requirement. A separate DSHS license is required for each food vending vehicle.

956 operators with a current local permit — you are a Category 1 applicant. You may keep operating while DSHS processes your application. Carry your local license and DSHS application receipt on your vehicle at all times.

956 operators with no current Texas license — you are a Category 2 applicant. You cannot legally operate until your pre-licensing inspection is completed and your DSHS license is issued.

Cities We Serve in the 956

  • Brownsville
  • Harlingen
  • McAllen
  • Mission
  • Edinburg
  • San Benito
  • Weslaco
  • Pharr
  • All of Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties

RGV Operator Notes

The 956 has one of the highest concentrations of taco trucks and mobile food vendors in Texas. HB 2844 applies to every one of them. If you operate in Cameron or Hidalgo County — including any city in the Valley — you need a DSHS license.

We provide full bilingual service for all RGV operators. Tu revisión y plan de acción completamente en español si lo prefieres.

Type I — Prepackaged

Prepackaged food only. $309 DSHS application fee. Common in the 956: aguas frescas, packaged tamales, bottled drinks.

Type II — Limited Prep

Minimal prep or ROP items. $1,018 total DSHS fees. Snow cone vendors, elote carts, deli-style operations.

Type III — Full Kitchen

Made-to-order food, cooking raw proteins. $1,376 total DSHS fees. Taco trucks, birria, BBQ, smash burgers — most 956 operations fall here.

Cameron County CPF

Cameron County CPF and commissary requirements follow DSHS standards. Your review confirms what applies to your specific operation and location.

BROWNSVILLE PRE-INSPECTION OPERATOR AUDIT

Know What Cameron County DSHS
Inspectors Expect Before They Show Up.

The DSHS pre-licensing inspection covers 28 items. One deficiency means a failed inspection and another $400–$500 fee. We review your 956 operation in advance so you pass the first time — in English or Spanish.

$99
Flat fee · All MFV types · 956 / RGV operators
A REAL AUDIT, NOT A TEMPLATE
  • Determine your MFV type and exact DSHS fees for Brownsville / 956
  • Confirm Category 1 or 2 status for your Cameron County operation
  • Cameron County CPF and commissary requirements for your type
  • Full documentation checklist for your pre-licensing inspection
  • Equipment gaps identified before your inspection appointment
  • Step-by-step action plan delivered within 48 hours
  • Full bilingual service — revisión completa disponible en español →
START TODAY — $99
Built by a Brownsville-based multi-city Texas food truck operator with firsthand knowledge of the 956 market and DSHS requirements. This is a real audit of your specific operation — not a generic checklist. We also notify you ahead of your renewal window, so your truck stays compliant year after year.
ALL SERVICES FOR 956 OPERATORS

Choose the Right Level of Support.

Whether you need a clear action plan or want full-service filing, we work with Brownsville and RGV operators at every stage of the DSHS licensing process.

START TODAY

Pre-Inspection Operator Audit

$99

Full review of your 956 operation. MFV type, Cameron County CPF requirements, documentation checklist, and action plan — in 48 hours or less.

START TODAY
WHITE GLOVE

Full-Service Permit Filing

$1,200

You run your truck. We handle the entire DSHS licensing process for your Brownsville operation — from intake to approved inspection and issued license.

LET US HANDLE IT
PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES — OPERADORES DEL 956

Preguntas Comunes de Operadores
en Brownsville y el Valle.

¿Aplica HB 2844 a mi food truck en Brownsville? +
Sí. HB 2844 aplica a todos los vendedores ambulantes de alimentos en Texas, incluyendo Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen y todo el Valle del Río Grande. Tu permiso actual de la ciudad de Brownsville o del condado de Cameron no satisface el requisito de licencia DSHS.
Does HB 2844 apply to my Brownsville food truck? +
Yes. HB 2844 applies to every mobile food vendor in Brownsville and throughout Cameron County. Your current City of Brownsville or Cameron County health permit does not satisfy the DSHS licensing requirement. You need both.
¿Qué tipo de vendedor ambulante soy — Tipo I, II o III? +
La mayoría de los taqueros, operadores de birria, smash burgers y operaciones de cocina completa en el 956 son Tipo III. Esto significa $876 de tarifa de solicitud + $500 de inspección previa = $1,376 en tarifas gubernamentales. Tu revisión confirma exactamente tu tipo.
What are the CPF / commissary requirements in Cameron County? +
Cameron County CPF requirements follow DSHS statewide standards. Most Type II and III operators must operate from a licensed CPF or qualify for an exemption. Your Pre-Inspection Operator Audit will confirm exactly what your Brownsville operation needs and what documentation is required.
¿Cuánto tiempo tarda en llegar mi revisión? +
Dentro de las 48 horas después de completar tu formulario de admisión. La mayoría de las revisiones de operadores del 956 se entregan el mismo día hábil.
Can I call or text with questions? +
Yes. After payment and intake submission, you can reach us directly at 956-592-2896. Bilingual support available. Business hours Monday through Friday.

956 Built.
Stay Licensed. Stay Open.

We know the 956 food truck scene. We know what DSHS inspectors look for. And we know what it takes to keep a mobile operation running legally in Cameron County.

START YOUR PRE-INSPECTION — WE BEGIN IMMEDIATELY