Local permits & fees

Smith County, TX — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) - Environmental Health / Retail Food Protection Program (serves Smith County incl. Tyler) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Retail Food Establishment permit (annual, risk-based)
Very Low Risk $345; Low Risk $405; Medium Risk $505; High Risk $665; Very High Risk $773 (annual). A full-service restaurant is typically High or Very High Risk. Effective 9-1-2025 (NET Health Retail Food Permit Fee Schedule, Amendment 1, Exhibit A dated 09-25-2025).

Locally administered by NET Health (a public health district covering Smith County / Tyler). The new risk-based schedule took effect 9-1-2025 and aligns with Texas SB 1008 (2025), which sets a statewide sales-tier fee chart used as a cap (Tier 1 $258 / Tier 2 $515 / Tier 3 $773, biennial state amounts). Nonprofit organizations meeting the district definition are exempt from the permit fee.

Plan review — required

Retail Food Establishment Plan Review by size: 0-999 sq ft $175; 1,000-4,999 $200; 5,000-24,999 $400; 25,000+ $600. Remodel $175. Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review $200. (Change of ownership with no menu/concept/equipment change is fee-exempt.)

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit permit (flat fee)
$258 flat annual fee (effective 9-1-2025). NET Health will permit Mobile Food Units only through 6-30-2026; from 7-1-2026 mobile units are permitted by the State (Texas DSHS) under SB 1008. Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review $200; Food Truck Park Plan Review $75 (2-4 units) / $125 (5-10) / $175 (11+).

Texas SB 1008 moves mobile food unit permitting to the state DSHS effective 7/1/2026 - after that date NET Health no longer issues the local mobile permit. A commissary/base of operations is required.

Watch out for

  • Locally administered - Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) runs the retail food program for Smith County / Tyler (not state-administered for fixed establishments).
  • New risk-based fee schedule effective 9-1-2025: Very Low $345, Low $405, Medium $505, High $665, Very High $773 (annual).
  • MOBILE TRANSITION: NET Health permits Mobile Food Units only through 6-30-2026; beginning 7-1-2026 Texas DSHS permits mobile units statewide (SB 1008).
  • Texas SB 1008 (2025) standardizes food permits statewide and caps local fees at the state's biennial sales-tier chart (Tier 1 $258 / Tier 2 $515 / Tier 3 $773); it prohibits duplicate fees for businesses already holding a valid Texas permit.
  • Temporary Food Vendor $52 (annual schedule line); a separate temporary event permit runs $75 for the first 3 days plus $15 each additional day; Farmers Market Vendor Low $25 / Medium $50 / High $100; Self-Service Market $50.

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
Caterernull - NET Health permits a caterer as a risk-based retail food establishment (Very Low $345 to Very High $773 annual); there is no separate 'caterer' line. Confirm the assigned risk level with NET Health.Priced on the risk-based retail food schedule effective 9-1-2025.
Commissary / central preparation kitchennull - not a separate line; a commissary is a permitted risk-based retail food establishment that serves as the base for mobile units.Fee follows the establishment's assigned risk level.
Bakery / food processingnull - a retail bakery is permitted by NET Health as a risk-based retail food establishment; wholesale/manufactured-food processing is licensed by Texas DSHS (Manufactured Foods), not NET Health.Split authority: retail bakery = NET Health; wholesale food manufacturing = Texas DSHS.
Bar / limited food servicenull - a bar serving food is a risk-based retail food establishment (Very Low $345 to Very High $773); alcohol permitting is separate via TABC. No distinct NET Health 'bar' line.Alcohol licensing via Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Grocery / market with deliSelf-Service Market $50; a grocery/market with a deli is otherwise a risk-based retail food establishment ($345-$773 by risk).Self-Service Market is a fixed $50 line on the NET Health schedule.
Temporary / seasonal eventTemporary Food Vendor $52 (annual schedule line); temporary event permit $75 for the first 3 days plus $15 each additional day. Event Coordinator plan review: 1-5 vendors $25; 6-10 $75; 11+ $175.Nonprofits meeting the district definition are exempt.
Pushcart / mobile vendingMobile Food Unit $258 flat (through 6-30-2026; then Texas DSHS statewide from 7-1-2026 under SB 1008). Mobile Food Establishment Plan Review $200; Food Truck Park plan review $75 (2-4 units) / $125 (5-10) / $175 (11+).Commissary/base of operations required; local mobile permitting ends 6-30-2026.
Sources: www.mynethealth.org · www.dshs.texas.gov · www.mynethealth.org · capitol.texas.gov · observed 2026-08-07