In short
- Since July 1, 2026, the state (Texas DSHS) licenses mobile food vendors. Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio say their own mobile food permits ended.
- You still register the business, get a sales tax permit and line up a commissary or an exemption.
- Your city can still set rules on fire inspections and where you park.
- This is a list of what to look up. It is not legal advice, and it lists no fees or timelines.
On this page
Planning a food truck? This Texas food truck permits checklist lists what owners usually need to look up, in a sensible order, with a link to the official page for each. The state changed how trucks are licensed in 2026, so older blog posts may describe permits that no longer exist. Each agency is the source of truth.
Not legal advice. Requirements depend on your menu, truck, city and county. Confirm every item with the agency named, and ask an accountant or attorney about your own case.
The usual order of operations
- Read the state's mobile food vendor page
The DSHS mobile food vendor page explains who needs a license, the three vendor types (I, II, III, by how you prepare food) and how to apply.
- Register the business
Choose your structure, get an EIN and, if needed, file an entity or assumed name.
- Open your tax accounts
Sales tax with the Comptroller, and unemployment tax with TWC if you will have employees.
- Line up a commissary
Or check whether your truck can use the exemption. Details are in the DSHS guide.
- Apply to DSHS and pass the pre-licensing inspection
DSHS says an initial inspection happens before the license is issued.
- Ask your city about fire and location rules
Before you park or book events.
State license and inspection
| Item | What to look up |
|---|---|
| Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) license | Texas DSHS mobile food vendors. The page lists the vendor types and says it publishes the current fee schedule, so check it there. |
| Pre-licensing inspection | DSHS inspects before it issues the license. Some local health agencies help DSHS inspect: see local agencies helping conduct inspections of MFVs. |
| Food manager and food handlers | Certified food manager programs and food handler programs. The DSHS guide says what the inspection asks for. |
Commissary and servicing area
The DSHS Mobile Food Vendor Guide (PDF) covers the central preparation facility (commissary), the exemption checklist and the servicing area where you fill water and empty waste.
- Commissary agreement. If the facility is not yours, the guide says a signed authorization letter is needed.
- Servicing log. Keep a record of when you filled water and disposed of waste.
- Not at home. The guide says a private residence cannot be used as a commissary or servicing area.
Ask DSHS one question: "Given my menu and truck, which vendor type am I, and do I qualify for the commissary exemption?" The answer shapes your build-out and your monthly costs.
Business and tax registrations
- Entity or assumed name. The Secretary of State forms page shows which form matches an LLC, corporation or a name you trade under.
- EIN. Apply through the IRS page on getting an employer identification number.
- Sales tax permit. The Comptroller explains the sales and use tax permit. Ask how it applies to your menu and where you sell.
- Unemployment tax account. Employers register through Texas Workforce Commission unemployment tax services.
City pages for the four big metros
Each city's page said, when we checked, that the state license replaced its own mobile food permit. Read them for what the city still handles.
| City | Official page |
|---|---|
| Houston | Houston Health Department: mobile food units |
| Austin | Austin Public Health: mobile food vendors. Mentions fire inspections through Austin Fire or the Travis County Fire Marshal. |
| Dallas | Dallas Consumer Health: mobile food units |
| San Antonio | San Antonio mobile food vending. Mentions a fire department inspection for propane, generators and grills, a separate downtown permit, and permission for city parks. |
Another city? Look up its mobile food vending page on the city's own website, or call the permitting office.
Local items to ask about
- Fire inspection. Ask your city fire department or county fire marshal whether propane, a generator or cooking equipment triggers one.
- Where you may park. Downtown districts, city parks, residential property and private lots can each have their own rules. Get lot owners' permission in writing.
- Event applications. Festivals and markets set their own vendor requirements and deadlines.
- Vehicle and insurance. Ask your county tax office about registration and your insurance agent about commercial auto and general liability.
- Alcohol. Only if you plan to sell it: see TABC's license and permit types.
Confirm with each agency
We checked these pages on 2026-10-25. Rules, forms and fees change, and trucks differ. Start from the agency's own website, and ask the person who will inspect your truck what they will look for.
A spreadsheet to track it
We sell a Food Truck Launch Planner spreadsheet (permit tracker, startup budget, commissary log, daily sales and break-even). It is a planning tool, not advice, and the link is coming soon. If you would rather start free, our food truck break-even calculator and food cost calculator work for trucks too. Selling from home instead? See the Texas cottage food checklist.
Many of the filings above leave public records, and TX Openings tracks new Texas restaurants and bars for vendors. If you want to take orders without an app commission, we also build direct ordering pages.
Frequently asked questions
Who licenses food trucks in Texas now?
Per the Texas DSHS mobile food vendor page, beginning July 1, 2026 all mobile food vendors must be licensed by DSHS to operate a food vending vehicle in Texas. Previously you needed a license from each local health department where you operated.
Does my city still have a say?
Often yes, on other topics. City pages we checked mention fire inspections (for example when you use propane, a generator or a grill), downtown vending districts, parks and residential-property limits. Ask your city before you park.
Do I need a commissary?
The DSHS mobile food vendor guide says a truck that does not meet the central preparation facility exemption must operate from a commissary or other fixed establishment. It also covers a servicing area for water and waste. Read the guide and ask DSHS about your truck.
Do I need a TABC permit?
Only if you plan to sell alcohol. Most food trucks do not, so it is not on this list. If you do, start from the TABC license and permit types page.
Is this list complete?
No. Requirements depend on your city, county, menu and where you sell. This is a starting list of what to look up, not legal advice, and it lists no fees or timelines.