Local permits & fees

Fort Bend County, TX — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Fort Bend County Health & Human Services - Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Permit (Category A/B/C, annual)
Category A (unpackaged TCS food prepared/processed) $550; Category B (only prepackaged TCS and/or limited non-TCS) $275; Category C (Farmers' Market food producer) $100. Schools $300 (two $150 inspections/yr); Servicing Area $300; Mobile Unit Park $300.

Late fee $75; Replacement permit $50. Temporary Food: Single Event $75, Multiple Event $150.

Plan review — required

Plan Review Initial Inspection $150 (assessed at application; also applies to change of ownership); Plan Review Additional Inspection $150; Re-Inspection $150; optional Expedite Fee $550.

Turnaround: null - no turnaround published; a plan-review application is valid one year from submittal (covers application, Authorization to Construct, completion, and permitting).

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit (county-issued through June 30, 2026; DSHS-issued from July 1, 2026)
County Mobile Food Unit $258 (valid until July 1, 2026). From July 1, 2026 mobile food vendors are licensed by Texas DSHS statewide (Type I $309; Type II $618 + $400 inspection; Type III $876 + $500 inspection).

Effective July 1, 2026 Texas moved mobile-food permitting to state DSHS under HB 2844; the county's $258 mobile line is explicitly marked 'Until July 1, 2026.'

Watch out for

  • Since March 24, 2024 plan-review applications are accepted ONLY online via myhealthdepartment.com/fbceh.
  • Uses A/B/C risk categories rather than the DSHS gross-annual-sales tiers; category fees sit below DSHS SB 1008 caps.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
commissary / central kitchen (Category A)$400Food Establishment Category A: any place where unpackaged TCS or non-TCS food is processed/prepared, OR a commercial kitchen provided for use by multiple food establishments (i.e., commissary/shared kitchen). Full-service restaurants also fall in Category A. From Exhibit A of the May 23, 2023 Order Setting Fees; a Sept 23, 2025 order may update amounts.
market/grocery - prepackaged/limited (Category B)$200Category B: any place where only prepackaged TCS foods are sold and/or limited non-TCS foods (e.g., citrus garnishes, crushed-ice syrup drinks) are served/sold - convenience/grocery limited retail.
farmers' market vendor (Category C)$100Category C: a farmer or food producer operating at a Department-approved farmers' market (market must be 51%+ farmers/producers).
food sample / cottage food (Category D)$200Category D (Food Sample Permit): annual permit for a state-licensed food manufacturer or cottage food operation providing samples or selling prepackaged TCS foods at an approved Fort Bend temporary event.
roadside food vendor$200Exhibit A fee.
educational institutions / schools$250Exhibit A fee.
mobile unit park$300Permit for a park/lot hosting mobile food units.
commissary servicing area$300Servicing area supporting mobile food units.
temporary/special-event food establishment$75 (timely application) / $150 (untimely or on-site issuance)Temporary Food Establishment permit.
conditional 30-day permit$240Optional permit issued to a business during a change of ownership.
Sources: www.fortbendcountytx.gov · www.fortbendcountytx.gov · www.fortbendcountytx.gov · observed 2026-08-07