Local permits & fees

Galveston County, TX — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Galveston County Health District (GCHD) - Environmental Health / Consumer Health Services · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Service Establishment Permit (risk-based: high/medium/low)
Defaults to $773/year (per SB 1008/DSHS); discounted rate available on submission of tax filing and income paperwork.

GCHD covers 14 jurisdictions (Galveston County plus 13 cities incl. League City, Texas City, Friendswood, Dickinson, La Marque).

Plan review — required

Fee not published online.

Turnaround: 6-8 weeks from application submission

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit
Fee not published online — contact the department.

Texas moved mobile-food permitting to state DSHS eff. 2026-07-01; historically permitted by GCHD. Verify current state fee/route with DSHS.

Watch out for

  • Fee changes made to align with SB 1008 and DSHS statewide fee ceiling ($773 max).
  • Establishments risk-rated (high/medium/low) based on food handling.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Food Permit (fixed establishment) - priced by gross annual food sales$258 ($0-49,999.99) / $515 ($50,000-149,999.99) / $773 ($150,000+)Distinct TX scheme: fixed establishments priced by gross annual food-sales volume (SB 1008 cap), not by named category. No separate caterer/commissary/bakery/bar/deli categories published.
Temporary Food Permit - Single Event$52Up to 14 consecutive days for a single event.
Temporary Food Permit - Multiple Events (annual)$200Valid 1 year for one booth/unit at multiple events, each event not exceeding 14 days.
Farmers Market - TCS Farmer/Producer vendor (annual)$100Annual permit valid at all farmers markets in Galveston County (HSC 437.0065 / SB 932).
School Food Establishment (for-profit contractor)$258
Group Day Home Inspection$75General sanitation inspection service.
Food Service Establishment Plan Review & Construction (pre-opening)$250
Sources: www.gchd.org · www.dshs.texas.gov · observed 2026-08-07