According to the Texas Food Establishment Rules, a mobile food unit (such as a food truck) is a vehicle-mounted, self-contained food service operation, designed to be readily moveable and used to store, prepare, display, serve, or sell food.
Sheesh … There is a lot to digest in that one sentence!
Food truck requirements vary greatly throughout the great State of Texas, so be sure to check with your Local Health Department for specific regulations. Below is a general list of items to consider when starting a food truck business and is not intended to be comprehensive.
The Physical Food Truck
Like a fixed establishment, a food truck shall be enclosed and protected from the entry of pests with tight-fitting doors and windows. Walls and ceilings shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and light-in-color. Screens for ventilation points and windows shall be at least 16 mesh to 1-inch. A food truck shall be mobile at all times.
Central Preparation Facility (CPF):
This requirement is often overlooked by those looking to start a food truck business. A food truck shall operate from a CPF or other fixed establishment and shall report to such location for supplies and for cleaning and servicing operations. The CPF must be an approved retail food establishment at which food is prepared, stored, and wrapped. The operator of the food truck must maintain the most recent inspection of the CPF on the unit at all times. If the CPF or servicing area is not owned by the food truck operator, then a notarized letter of authorization is required. Use of a private residence as a CPF is prohibited. Be aware that this requirement adds additional costs to the operation of a food truck business.
Water:
Hot and cold running water must be supplied to all sinks permanently installed inside the food truck. Lack of hot running water is one of the most common reasons why a food truck gets “shut-down” in the field. A potable water tank and a fill hose shall be permanently installed and labeled as “potable water,” and provided with a ¾-inch or less inlet connection. A waste retention tank for liquid waste must be 15% larger than the potable water tank, leak proof, be permanently installed, and labeled as “waste water.”
Food Truck Equipment:
Equipment on a food truck shall be adequate to maintain safe hot and cold Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods at required temperatures (41°F or below for cold foods; 135°F or above for hot foods). Food contact surfaces of equipment, including tables and counters shall be durable, corrosion-resistant, and non-absorbent – meaning no wood allowed!
Warewashing and Handwash Sinks:
At least one handwash sink must be installed and supplied with soap and paper towels at all times. A sink with three compartments for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing of equipment and utensils, along with drain boards for soiled and clean items shall also be present.
Restrooms:
A food truck does not need to be equipped with a restroom, however toilet rooms shall be designated and be conveniently located and accessible to employees during all hours of operation.
More Items Needed to Pass Initial Inspection:
Before you schedule a permitting inspection with a Local Heath Department or with the County or State, be sure to come prepared with the following items:
- Certified Food Manager Certificate and Food Handler Cards
- Notarized Central Preparation Facility authorization (if needed) and most recent facility inspection
- Menu of all food items to be sold
- The food truck must be “turned on” so the inspector can observe and test all aspects of the unit in a real-life scenario
- Proof of vehicle insurance and business registration with the Texas Secretary of State and Comptroller
- A food truck may also require an inspection from the local Fire Marshal, which opens up another can of worms
TEXAS PUBLIC HEALTH SOLUTIONS 
I’m trying to open a mobile food trailer in Austin Co, TX. I live in an unincorporated town with Austin County, so how would I find out who my Local Health Authority would be? I already contacted a county rep and they said they do not handle permitting. Also, we have a separate kitchen on our property that is not attached to our home, could that be used as our CPF? It’s on own public (city) water line and private septic system. There’s a separate restroom and sink that could be used as the mop sink. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi, Brad. Well done research thus far! You are well on your way! The health authority for Austin County is the Texas Department of State Health Services. Please contact Kathleen Goss at Kathleen.Goss@dshs.texas.gov or at 713-767-3309.
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I attended fine arts academy and I’m in a welding program and we’re building a food trailer from the ground up. But we’re trying to figure out the codes and regulations we need to follow but we’re only making the shell so we ain’t going to install the sinks and stoves
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That’s amazing! Hopefully this can turn into a great business venture for you! Here is a great example of what’s required in a food truck from the manufacturer side: https://united-food-truck.com/essential-kitchen-combination/
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I would like to start a fire-oven pizza electric trike. The ingredients handled are pizza dough made from scratch flour/yeast and ingredients store bought like pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce. The oven is propane fired and would be either mounted on trike or with a stand of its own. I would like to operate this in Cameron County and Hidalgo County; Brownsville, TX & Mcallen, TX.
Is it possible to do this as an electric trike? Which license would I need: roadside food vendor license or mobile food unit license?
Is catering to homes and businesses a different license?
If I order a truck from Alibaba (China) are these compliant with regulations in your experience?
See the image of what that trike looks like: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Custom-Pizza-Food-Cart-Ice-Cream_1600746132870.html?spm=a2700.9114905.0.0.NhbJkV
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Hi, Elliott. TexasPHS doesn’t think you’ll be able to get an annual permit for the food trike, but it’s best to check with your Local Health Authority first. They will have the final say. Good luck!
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I’m trying to open up a lemonade stand and everything I’m reading is referring to children under 18, I need to know what I need to do for licensing and permits to get this thing going
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Hi, Robin. Please tell us more about the lemonade stand. Where do you plan to operate? How often? Any details you can provide will allow us to better answer your question. Thanks!
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Hello, I’d like to sell coffee. It’s not a cart or truck, just a table to sell hot coffee and hot chocolate. I want to attend pop ups throughout fall and winter. I also have a hand washing station with soap and paper towels. What do I need to do to be legal?? Thank you!!
Angela-Van Zandt county-East Texas
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Hi, Angela! This is a great idea for the Fall and Winter! In order to gain approval, you would need to obtain a Temporary Event Permit in the jurisdiction where you plan on operating.
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I am in the process of trying to open a BBQ food trailer in Krum Texas Denton County and trying to figure out what all I have to have done in order to get this up and running. Can you please let me know if possible.
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Hi, Nick! Please contact the City of Krum for assistance at adzioba@krum.tx.us or at 940-482-3491. Best of luck!
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We are converting a camper to a food trailer. The holding tanks are located underneath, if they are marked correctly would that suffice to pass inspection? I know most trailers have tanks inside the trailer.
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TexasPHS thinks that will be okay, but as always, your local health authority will have the final say.
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I’m a baker in Burnet County under the Texas Cottage Food Laws. Can I sell my goods in a concession trailer? All goods are produced in my home kitchen. The trailer is a converted vintage RV. Do I need all the things a food truck would need. Trailer is parked outside of my warehouse on private property.
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HELLO IM IN THE MIDDLE OF OPENING A FOOD TRUCK IN HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS I HAVE MY TRUCKS INSURANCE ALREADY MY QUESTION IS (DOES MY FOOD TRUCK ALSO NEEDS INSURANCE AND IF SO WHAT KIND OF INSURANCE ?)
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Hi, Sana. Yes, your food truck needs auto liability insurance! Also, you should have business insurance too!
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Hello, the wife and I are trying to open our food trailer in Bandera, Texas and Bandera County area. I would like to get help in finding what is and is not required to be in a food service trailer. The rules Regulation etc., we want to start, but we want to start correctly and be able to pass Health inspections without any issues. Can you help please.
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Please contact you local health authority directly for details! For Bandera County, it’s Jean Carlos at Jeancarlos.moracolon@dshs.texas.gov or at 512-963-7213.
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Who would I contact for Rains Co, TX? No one around can tell me.
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Inspector Contact: Mark Wamble
Email: Mark.Wamble@dshs.texas.gov
Phone: 903-533-5351
People in Texas can always find their food regulatory inspector using this interactive map: https://txdshsea.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=52506ccc6cfb4722b2d65860fa1387ab
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I have a restaurant in Fort Worth and a non-restaurant facility in Arlington, can I use my Fort Worth kitchen as the CPF and park a truck at my Arlington facility? Does the truck need to move or return to the Fort Worth facility? Can I use another vehicle to transport product and supplies to and from the truck?
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Hi, Nettie. Great question. What exactly is the “non-restaurant facility?” Is it your home, is it a business, is it a commissary??? Per the book, a food truck should return to it’s approved CPF everyday to properly dispose of wastewater and obtain fresh water. As we all know, this doesn’t happen in “real life.”
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Good afternoon,
It is an entertainment facility that has an onsite kitchen where patrons can purchase food. Both locations are entertainment facilities and owned by the same parent company, but one does not have any kitchen facilities and we’d like to offer food at both locations without building a kitchen because I was told our city is not accepting permit applications at this time.
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Just to confirm — you are looking to park the food truck at the Arlington location and sell food there? If so, you need to check with the City of Arlington on their permitting process and zoning regulations.
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Hello, I have a dessert food trailer that I plan to sell cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and coffee out of. Who can I speak to about all of the requirements for this. I am located in Plano, Texas.
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Hello, I want to open a food tent (not a truck or trailer) that operates only at events like farmer’s markets, fairs & festivals, and the like. Since I would like to attend events in Dallas, Austin, Waco, and Houston, among others, do I need special permission for each location or is there a method for approval that does not require individual permits at each location? Thanks in advance for your help!
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Hello I have a food truck operating in California but plan to move to Texas how can I go about running the food truck there?
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Hello, we are thinking of opening a food truck for BBQ. Until we get a food truck our plan is to cook and prepare the food at home then use or RV to transport and keep food hot to a designated location. We plan on selling the food off a table not from within the RV such as you would see at a fair. The food will only be kept in the RV for transport. What type of permit would that be?
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Hi Pete. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but in Texas, you cannot cook any TCS foods in your home kitchen.
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we are planning to open a static food truck’s in a residential location.
Can we have that food truck in residential land where we have a house and a small warehouses? we have enough land for parking. What kind of permissions is it required and where and how should I start?
Do you know any agencies who can work with us in getting all the required permissions for setting up our business.
Thank You.
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Hi, Ankush! Thanks for visiting teaxphs.com and asking your question! The biggest hurdle you will face is the zoning regulations in the area where you live. The first step is to contact the municipality and determine the zoning of your desired location.
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Hi I have a trailer and live in Collin county. I’m looking to sell tacos. What permits do I need?
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Hi, Christine! You will need to reach out to the specific municipality within Collin County where you want to sell tacos.
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Hi, I want to open a mobile coffee cart! Would strictly sell coffee, tea, Red Bull infusions and some baked pastries.
What all permits do I need to obtain? The same ones listed? Wasn’t sure if anything would be different than what’s stated in the article since we aren’t cooking any food.
Thanks!
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Hi, Taylor. Great question! You would still need to meet all of the requirements for a Mobile Food Unit to be granted an annual permit. The definition of “food” also includes beverages and ice. The requirements for a Temporary Event Permit are less stringent, so you may want to consider that in the beginning.
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Hello,
What is required for a mobile bar? I will not be selling any food. Thanks
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I will be having a coffee trailer and will be at events all around Texas. As far as Sale tax permit that need to get for the city/county your operating and fire inspection also for the location , whats best way to do this when your going to be in many different cities and counties? As an example if im doing a event in Dallas 4hrs away from me i cant just schedule with fire marshal inspection and drive that far and back for one event which cuts into precious funds for gas and time, or is that the only way. Thanks
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Pleas provide some direction. We are a vegetable rural vegetable farm considering operating a Refrigerated delivery to ensure fresh and safe vegetables. We intend to use it for vegetable deliveries and farmers markets.
Will we need a health certificate for the refrigerated truck deliveries or to operate at various farmers markets? Please advise.
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Great question … very nuanced! Are you planning on cutting, slicing, or in-any-way preparing the vegetables before delivery? If the answer is “no” and your vegetables are a raw agricultural commodity, you do not need any permit for this!
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Hello, we moved to Austin County 2 years ago from Tennessee and are trying to open a shaved ice trailer selling shaved ice, lemonade, iced tea and iced coffee (no food and nothing hot). I’m told the inspection requirements pertain to doing an event inside city limits only but should I still get my trailer inspected in the local surrounding cities just in case I do future events? Also what sort of food handling management card is required for our particular line of mobile trailer? Also besides our vehicle insurance what other insurance is required by the state? Thank you for your advice
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looking to start a food truck in bell county…who do I need to go to??
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I am looking into renting a food trailer. How does the inspection process work if you are renting? Does the owner have to sign for inspection or file for it? Thanks in advance.
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Hello! We’re creating a mobile Drink Trailer to sell sodas where we will mix in flavoring syrups. Do we require a CFM Certificate? Also because there is no cooking do we require the 3 bin sink or just a hand washing sink. Would we be considered a Concession Stand? Are there different regulations for Concession stands? We are located in Williamson County, City of Round Rock. Thank you!
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Hi, I am trying to open a food truck in houston/Katy area, my question is: do I need a physical address for the business? or can be a virtual address?
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Me and my wife live in Texas and would like to know all information for the start up of a food truck. All the requirements needed to pass all inspections and information for all required certifications
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Hello, live in Tarrant county. We have a 16ftx6ft double axle homemade utility trailer, and intend to refurbish it to be a food concession trailer. We are on the framing process. How tall can the trailer be from the ground? In Tarrant county, where can we take it to inspection after its refurbished?
Thank you
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wife is building a food truck from scratch, we are looking for more information on what is required to be approved and pass inspection. We would operate out of Denton county
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Im wanting to open a food truck in Tarrant county but I can’t find any information about what the requirements are for a vent hood. What are the size requirements?
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Great question! The best first step for anybody in your position is to contact the Local Health Authority for specific regulatory requirements. In your case, please reach out to the Tarrant County Public Health Environmental Health Division here:
https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/public-health/health-protection-and-response/environmental-health-promotion/inspections.html?linklocation=About%20Us&linkname=Respiratory%20Diseases%20Data%3C
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Hello, I am in the process of building a pizza trailer business plan to operate in Waco, Tx. I am wondering if I will need a hood vent? The pizza oven Im looking at purchasing has a single vent chimney that runs out of the top. Will it suffice to just run that directly out of the top of my trailer?
thank you!
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Hi I am looking to open a food trailer with porch. This is a Bbq style of food trailer. I am in travis county Austin. Within travis county limits, I want to know the permissions , food safety certifications that is required in this county ? It is a 20feet trailer
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Hi Vinay, please start by contacting the Texas Department of State Health Services sanitarian in Travis County.
Steve.Benson@dshs.texas.gov or 512-557-5950.
Best of luck and much success!
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in front of my nail salon have 12 food truck and it get so loud and they take all parking lot inlcue handicap parking . what can i do with them . please help me
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Thanks for your comment, Tom. This sounds like the food trucks are definitely impacting your business. TexasPHS recommends speaking with your city’s Health Department and Code Compliance Department to start. There are a lot of variables at play here — did your landlord provide permission for the food trucks to be there? Does zoning laws allow for the food trucks to be there? Let us know how your research goes.
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Hello,
I have a small cottage food business which sells scones and cinnamon rolls. If I were to open a truck to sell the premade and packaged pastries, what requirements would I need to meet?
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Hi, Nicolas! In general, a cottage food production operation is exempt from the requirements of a licensed food establishment and does not have to comply with the FDA Food Code. Health departments do not have regulatory authority to conduct inspections of a cottage food production operation.
Read more here: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/retail-food-establishments/texas-cottage-food-production
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Hello,
I am looking to open a cafe out of a shipping container in Travis County. Before anything, I’d like to know if this is possible and how to classify this business so I can start looking into permits/licenses. Any help is greatly appreciated!
-Saray
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Hi, Saray. Yes, before you start purchasing anything, please contact the Travis County Health Department for assistance.
echu.service@ci.austin.tx.us or 512-978-0300
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I am opening a food truck business in order to get the health department inspect do I have to take it there or they go where the food truck is going to be park?
thank you
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Hi Estrella … best of luck in your new food business! Most of the time, you will arrange a time with the health department where it will be inspected at City Hall, but every city is different, so call first. Thanks!
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