foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Nueces County, TX — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District - Food & Environmental Inspections · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Annual Permit (by gross annual food sales; eff. Mar 2, 2026)
$0-$49,999.99 sales $258; $50,000-$149,999.99 $515; $150,000+ $773 (SB 1008-aligned; previously $125-$880 employee-based). Schools $258.

Restructured from employee-count to gross-annual-sales tiers under SB 1008 (effective Mar 2, 2026), matching DSHS statewide caps. Amendment fees: $0-$49,999.99 $125; $50,000-$149,999.99 $250; $150,000+ $375. District located at 1702 Horne Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78416, 361-826-7222.

Plan review — required

Initial inspection $100 (city-adopted; state minimum $150); Re-inspection $150 (city-adopted; state $200). Previously free.

Turnaround: null - not published

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit Permit (district through June 30, 2026; DSHS from July 1, 2026)
District mobile fees rose under SB 1008: mobile health permit $140 -> $250; mobile vending permit $120 -> $250; mobile amendment free -> $125. From July 1, 2026 mobile food vendors licensed statewide by Texas DSHS (Type I $309; Type II $618 + $400 inspection; Type III $876 + $500 inspection).

Effective July 1, 2026 all mobile food vendors operating in Corpus Christi and Nueces County must hold a Texas DSHS license under HB 2844; DSHS Type I application fee $309 with no pre-licensing inspection for prepackaged-only.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • SB 1008 forced a shift from employee-based to gross-annual-sales fees effective Mar 2, 2026, and added previously-free inspection charges.
  • Uses a demerit-based inspection system compliant with the Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER).

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
temporary/special-event - single event$52Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health District fee schedule (submitted to DSHS registry 3/10/2026). Single event up to 14 consecutive days.
temporary/special-event - multiple events (2 years)$200Multiple events, valid 2 years.
school-based food establishment - public schools$150 per inspectionTwo (2) inspections required per calendar year.
school-based food establishment - private/for-profit schools$150For-profit/private school permit.
farmers' market$50Farmer's Market Fee.
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.corpuschristitx.gov · www.kristv.com · www.dshs.texas.gov · observed 2026-08-07