A Texas food truck permit costs $309 to $1,376 in state DSHS fees, depending on your unit type: $309 for Type I (prepackaged only), $1,018 for Type II (limited prep), and $1,376 for Type III (full cooking). That's the application fee plus the pre-licensing inspection, paid once to get licensed.
Most trucks that cook with propane also need a local fire permit or inspection, from $50 to about $400 depending on the city. A Type III truck with propane in San Antonio, for example, pays about $1,685 in government fees in year one. Calculate your total →
Prepackaged Vendor
Packaged food only — no open preparation on vehicle
Limited Preparation
ROP foods, minimal prep, snow cones, hot dogs, deli
Full Food Preparation
Tacos, burgers, BBQ, made-to-order, full kitchen
The Four Fee Types — What Each One Actually Means
DSHS charges four distinct fees under HB 2844. They are not the same thing and they don't all happen at the same time. Understanding each one matters.
| Fee Type | Type I | Type II | Type III | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $309 | $618 | $876 | Paid once at initial application. Non-refundable. |
| Pre-licensing inspection fee | — | $400 | $500 | Paid once at initial application. One-time only. Required before your license is issued. |
| Year 1 total to apply | $309 | $1,018 | $1,376 | What you pay upfront to get licensed. |
| Routine inspection fee | — | $400 | $500 | Charged while you are licensed and operating — randomized, statewide, no advance notice required. DSHS has not published a fixed annual frequency for this inspection in its current guide; confirm your exact schedule directly with DSHS. |
| Complaint / compliance inspection fee | $300 | $400 | $500 | Triggered when anyone files a complaint against your operation. You pay this fee regardless of whether the complaint has merit. DSHS investigates. Keeping documentation current is your only protection. |
| Failed pre-licensing re-inspection | — | No additional fee — reschedule only | No additional fee — reschedule only | No fee for a routine re-inspection after normal corrections — DSHS reschedules and works with you through it. |
Verified by phone with a DSHS compliance representative, July 23, 2026. Reflects verbal guidance, not published policy.
Source: DSHS Mobile Food Vendor Guide, Updated May 2026. Fees include a Texas Online processing fee. Verify current fees at dshs.texas.gov before applying.
Local Fire Permit Costs by City
HB 2844 moved the health permit to the state, but fire rules stayed local. If your truck uses propane or cooks, budget for your city's fire permit or inspection on top of the DSHS fees.
| City | What's required | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Fire Marshal LP-gas permit for propane use | $225.14 |
| Dallas | Dallas Fire-Rescue: mobile food prep vehicle, plus LP-gas on the vehicle | $205 + $195 (re-inspections $171–$255) |
| San Antonio | SAFD inspection, yearly, for propane, generator, or gas/charcoal/wood grill | $300 + 3% surcharge |
| Austin | AFD inspection for propane or grease-producing units (not no-cook carts) | $222 (charged again after a failed or missed inspection) |
| El Paso | Annual Fire License Inspection for cooking units | $125/yr ($72 re-inspection) |
| Corpus Christi | CCFD annual MFV permit, plus LP-gas permit | $50 per inspection + $100/yr |
| Brownsville | Fire Marshal: LP-gas tank permit; fixed-pipe extinguishing inspection | $50 + $40 |
| McAllen | City fire inspection before the city processes your application | Not published; call the Fire Marshal |
| Fort Worth, Laredo | No published food truck fire permit program | Call before operating with propane |
Verified on official city pages, September 29, 2026. Some events also set their own vendor requirements.
What a Food Truck Permit Really Costs: Year-One Examples
Government fees only (DSHS + local fire), before any business setup, equipment, or our service fee:
| Truck | DSHS | Local fire | Year-one total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type III taco truck with propane, San Antonio | $1,376 | $300 + 3% (about $309) | about $1,685 |
| Type III BBQ trailer with propane, Houston | $1,376 | $225.14 | $1,601.14 |
| Type II, Dallas (prep vehicle + LP-gas) | $1,018 | $205 + $195 | $1,418 |
| Type II coffee trailer with propane, Austin | $1,018 | $222 | $1,240 |
| Type I prepackaged cart | $309 | Usually none (no cooking) | $309 |
Every vehicle needs its own DSHS license, so a second truck means a second set of fees. Run your own numbers in the calculator →
Year Two: What It Costs to Stay Permitted
- Your DSHS license expires one year from your completed pre-licensing inspection, then annual renewal applies.
- Routine inspections while you're licensed: $400 for Type II, $500 for Type III. DSHS hasn't published a fixed frequency; confirm your schedule with DSHS.
- Local fire permits renew too: San Antonio and El Paso inspect yearly, Corpus Christi's permits are annual, and Houston's L1 LP-gas permit is annual.
- Complaint inspections ($300 / $400 / $500 by type) only if someone files a complaint.
Costs That Aren't the Permit
These come up when you're getting licensed, but they aren't DSHS or fire fees:
- Texas LLC, if you form one: the state charges $300 to file. The IRS EIN is free.
- Food manager certification and food handler cards for you and your staff, where required.
- Commissary (CPF) rent, unless your truck qualifies for the CPF exemption. See what your commissary agreement needs.
- Equipment fixes to pass inspection. The most common: an undersized sink and gaps or missing screens.
The full startup budget, truck included: how much it costs to start a food truck in Texas.
Our Fee Is Separate from DSHS.
The fees above go directly to the State of Texas. Our $99 Pre-Inspection Review is what makes sure your application and vehicle pass — so you're not losing operating days to a preventable failure.