- Find your type: Type I, II, or III.
- Line up a commissary (CPF) or confirm you qualify for the exemption.
- Apply on DSHS Online Licensing and pay the fees: $309 (Type I), $1,018 (Type II), or $1,376 (Type III).
- Pass the DSHS pre-licensing inspection (Type II and III).
- Then handle what stays local: fire marshal permits, where you can park, and event rules.
If you're trying to figure out how to get a food truck permit in Texas right now, you're asking at exactly the right time — and you're almost certainly going to run into outdated information elsewhere. Texas food truck law changed under HB 2844, and a lot of what's online still describes a permit system that no longer applies.
This guide covers the current law from the ground up: what permits you need, what changed, the step-by-step process, what it actually costs, whether you can stay open during the transition, and the mistakes that most often delay applications.
Not Ready to Pay for a Full Review Yet?
The Texas Food Truck Success Kit walks through everything in this guide — plus checklists, document organization, and inspection prep — in one place. $29.99, instant download.
GET THE SUCCESS KIT — $29.99 →Can You Stay Open Through the Transition?
This is the first question every existing operator needs answered. The answer depends on your specific truck, your current local permit status, and your commissary situation.
If you currently hold a local permit, you're a Category 1 applicant — you can continue operating while DSHS processes your application, as long as you carry proof of that local permit and your DSHS application receipt on the vehicle at all times. If you don't have a current local permit anywhere in Texas, you're Category 2 — you cannot legally operate until your pre-licensing inspection is complete.
Don't assume you're fine. Don't assume you're in violation. Confirm it before you spend a dollar on government fees.
Not sure which category you're in, or what's missing from your application?
AUDIT — $99 →What Changed Under HB 2844
Before this law, getting a food truck permit in Texas meant navigating a different process in every city — Houston had its own rules, Dallas had its own, every county health department ran its own system. HB 2844 changed that:
- One statewide DSHS license now covers all of Texas. Apply once, operate statewide.
- No more city-by-city primary health permits for standard mobile food vendor operations — though several major cities still require an additional local business registration (see below).
- Commissary (CPF) requirement clarified. Some fully self-contained trucks may qualify for a CPF exemption, eliminating the need for a commissary kitchen relationship.
- Standardized inspection protocol statewide through DSHS.
- New fee schedule based on MFV type — Type I, II, or III, detailed below.
What Permits You Need in 2026 — Complete Checklist
Every Texas food truck operator needs the following before legally operating under HB 2844:
- 1
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit
Free. Apply at comptroller.texas.gov before anything else — your Sales Tax Permit number may be required as part of your documentation. Processing is typically same-day to 24 hours.
- 2
Food Manager Certification
Required for operations handling TCS foods. Must be current — an expired certification is an automatic problem at inspection.
- 3
Food Handler Cards — All Employees
Every food-handling employee needs a valid Texas Food Handler Card from an approved provider.
- 4
DSHS Mobile Food Vendor License
The primary statewide license under HB 2844. Your truck is classified as Type I, II, or III based on food preparation complexity. Getting this classification wrong means refiling with additional fees and delay. What the Texas food truck license covers →
- 5
CPF Authorization OR CPF Exemption
You need either a signed authorization letter from a licensed Central Preparation Facility, or an approved CPF exemption. Most Type II and III operations need a CPF unless they qualify for exemption — see our CPF Exemption Guide for details.
- 6
Local Fire, Zoning & Food-Handler Rules (Still Local)
Cities and counties no longer issue the mobile food vendor health permit — DSHS does. But fire marshal permits (propane, suppression), where you can park, food handler cards in some cities, and event permits are still local. Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and Corpus Christi all publish something you still have to do. See the city notes below.
Texas Food Truck Permit Cost Breakdown 2026
| Permit / Item | Cost | Paid To |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit | Free | Texas Comptroller |
| Food Manager Certification | ~$100–150 | Approved provider |
| Food Handler Cards (per employee) | ~$15–25 each | Approved provider |
| DSHS Application Fee — Type I | $309 | DSHS |
| DSHS Application Fee — Type II | $618 | DSHS |
| DSHS Application Fee — Type III | $876 | DSHS |
| DSHS Pre-Licensing Inspection — Type II | $400 | DSHS |
| DSHS Pre-Licensing Inspection — Type III | $500 | DSHS |
| Routine re-inspection after corrections | No additional fee (DSHS, by phone) | — |
| Annual routine inspection — Type II / Type III | $400 / $500 | DSHS |
| Commissary / CPF (if not exempt) | Set by the facility (monthly) | Private commissary |
| Local fire marshal permit (most large cities) | Varies by city — see your city page | City fire department |
DSHS fee figures verified against the official DSHS Mobile Food Vendor fee schedule, July 2026; Type I has no pre-licensing inspection fee under the current published table. Re-inspection: DSHS told us by phone (July 23, 2026) that a routine re-inspection after normal corrections carries no additional fee — the $400/$500 figures apply to complaint-triggered inspections after licensing and to the annual inspection. Full fee breakdown →
Want your exact total cost based on your specific truck and type?
FREE COST CALCULATOR →Step-by-Step: The Texas Food Truck Permit Process
Sequence matters — submitting out of order is one of the most common reasons applications get delayed:
- 1
Get your Sales Tax Permit
Apply at comptroller.texas.gov early in the process.
- 2
Secure your Food Manager Certification
If expired, renew before applying — DSHS checks this.
- 3
Determine your truck classification
Type I, II, or III, based on your food preparation activities. Getting this wrong means refiling and extra fees.
- 4
Resolve your CPF status
Confirm whether you need a Central Preparation Facility or qualify for exemption — and get the documentation in order before you submit.
- 5
Compile your complete menu
DSHS requires every item listed — not a sample. Incomplete menus cause delays.
- 6
Submit your DSHS application
Online via the DSHS portal, with your documentation, certifications, menu, and CPF status all included.
- 7
Prepare for and pass inspection
Truck must be fully operational and movable — no permanent connections, all equipment properly labeled and installed, certifications physically present.
- 8
Receive your license and open
DSHS issues your MFV license once you pass inspection — valid statewide for one year. Keep it posted visibly in your truck.
Want This Whole Process Laid Out Step by Step?
The Success Kit organizes every stage of this process into one guide you can work through at your own pace — checklists, document tracker, and all.
GET THE SUCCESS KIT — $29.99 →Common Mistakes That Delay Applications
These issues come up again and again with operators we've worked with:
- Wrong truck classification — Type I, II, or III misidentification means refiling fees and weeks of delay.
- Incomplete menu — any missing item can trigger a return for correction.
- Missing CPF documentation — no authorization letter or an incomplete exemption filing.
- Inspection failure — truck not fully operational, unlabeled equipment, improperly sized water tanks. DSHS told us routine re-inspections carry no extra fee; what it costs you is weeks back in the queue while your truck sits.
- Expired or unapproved certifications — outdated Food Manager cert or unapproved Food Handler Cards.
City-Specific Notes for Texas Operators
Under HB 2844 your DSHS license is the health license everywhere in Texas. What each city still handles itself is different — we pulled the current rules from official city pages (read September 29, 2026) and built a page per city:
Houston →
Medallion retired July 1, 2026. Fire Marshal LP-gas permit (L1 annual / L3 event) still required if you use propane; restroom letter within 500 m; no temporary permits for trucks.
Dallas →
Dallas County's MFU permit replaced (not grandfathered). City still handles the Fire-Rescue propane permit, DFR-approved suppression, and where you can park.
San Antonio →
Metro Health inspections ended June 30, 2026. SAFD fire inspection required yearly for units with propane, a generator, or a grill; published location rules still apply.
Austin →
APH program transferred to DSHS. AFD fire inspection still required for propane / grease-producing units (not for no-cook carts). Travis County Fire Marshal outside city limits.
Fort Worth →
City says permit with DSHS, "not with the City of Fort Worth." Mobile Vendor Certificate of Occupancy (zoning, 50-ft residential setback) still local.
El Paso →
City permit replaced — and El Paso Fire added a new annual Fire License Inspection (LFIR) for cooking units, effective July 1, 2026.
Corpus Christi →
Health District permit replaced. CCFD annual mobile food vehicle + LP-gas permits and the local food handler card still apply.
Brownsville / RGV →
City: "local jurisdictions are no longer issuing permits for mobile units." Fire Marshal for propane; food truck parks need a Specific Use Permit.
McAllen →
City website not yet updated for HB 2844. Location ordinance (no residential/street vending, restaurant-entrance distance, plaza consent) and food handler permits still local.
Laredo →
City website not yet updated for HB 2844; local food handler certificate still a city program. Fire/zoning could not be verified online — call first.
Texas Food Truck Permit — Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that isn't here? Call or text (956) 592-2896 — you'll talk to a Texas operator who deals with DSHS every week. En español también.
Do You Still Need a Commissary Kitchen?
Maybe not. Some fully self-contained trucks can qualify for a CPF exemption — potentially saving a monthly commissary rental. Qualification depends on your specific equipment and operation. Read the full breakdown: CPF Exemption Guide →
Your Operation Is On the Line. So Is Ours.
The $99 Audit confirms your status under HB 2844 — including whether you can keep operating through the transition. The $497 Guided Application gets you to inspection day with us beside you. The $1,200 Full-Service handles everything until your license is in hand.
START YOUR PERMIT PROCESS — $99 →
Last Verified: July 14, 2026
Verified Against: Official DSHS Mobile Food Vendor fee schedule, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B (direct source review)
Updated By: Texas Food Truck Permits Editorial Team
Update — September 29, 2026: city notes rebuilt from current official city pages; re-inspection fee row corrected to match DSHS phone guidance (July 23, 2026); local-rules section added; FAQ added.