Local permits & fees

Ellis County, TX — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Texas Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS), Retail Food Establishments program (state jurisdiction). Ellis County has no county food-permit program; some cities (e.g., Waxahachie) administer temporary-event permits locally through their Building/Community Services departments. · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment Permit (DSHS)

Tiered by gross annual food sales - $258 ($0-$49,999.99), $515 ($50,000-$149,999.99), $773 ($150,000+). Amendment fees $125 / $250 / $375.

DSHS state-jurisdiction fee, uniform statewide. Fees apply to initial applications, renewals, and change of ownership. Inspection-only application (schools/non-profits) $150 per inspection. Re-verified 2026-08-10 against the DSHS retail food permits fee page.

Plan review — required

null - DSHS reviews construction/remodel plans as part of the new-establishment permitting process and does not publish a separate stand-alone plan-review fee

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Vendor (MFV) License - DSHS statewide (effective July 1, 2026)

Type I $309 (no pre-licensing inspection); Type II $618 + $400 pre-licensing inspection; Type III $876 + $500 pre-licensing inspection. Routine inspection: Type II $400, Type III $500. Complaint/compliance inspection: Type I $300, Type II $400, Type III $500.

As of July 1, 2026 all Texas mobile food units are licensed by DSHS under the statewide MFV system (HB 2844). Prior DSHS mobile permit was $258/unit. Fees re-verified 2026-08-10 against the DSHS Mobile Food Vendors page (application fee + pre-licensing fee both due at submission; application fees include a Texas Online fee).

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

Fully DSHS state-administered; no Ellis County health department food program.
City of Waxahachie handles temporary food establishment permits locally (Building & Community Services, 408 S. Rogers); apply at least 5 days before the event.
DSHS fees are keyed to gross annual food sales volume.
Statewide mobile food vendor licensing moved to DSHS on July 1, 2026.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Temporary / seasonal event	Single-event permit $52 (one booth, one event, max 14 consecutive days); Multiple-event permit $200 (one booth, multiple events over 2 years)	DSHS state schedule; apply at least 30 days ahead. City of Waxahachie administers temporary permits locally (apply 5 days ahead; fee not published).
Pushcart / mobile vending	MFV Type I $309; Type II $618 + $400 pre-licensing inspection; Type III $876 + $500 pre-licensing inspection	New statewide DSHS Mobile Food Vendor licensing effective July 1, 2026 (HB 2844).

Texas statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: www.dshs.texas.gov · www.dshs.texas.gov · www.waxahachietx.gov · observed 2026-08-10