foodservicenerd
Local permits & fees

Tarrant County, TX — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Tarrant County Public Health - Environmental Health · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Establishment Permit (annual)
Tiered by gross annual food sales: $0-$49,999.99 = $258; $50,000-$149,999.99 = $515; $150,000 or more = $700

Amendment fee $258 (requested additional permit same location $125). Required reinspection $200. Food establishment/mobile late fee $100. Verified from Tarrant County Environmental Health Fee Schedule (DSHS Local Ordinance Registry). County permits unincorporated areas plus contracting cities; some cities set own fees.

Plan review — required

Fee not published online.

Turnaround: Plans must be submitted and approved before construction/remodel of a new or converted food establishment

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit (MFU) Permit
County schedule lists Mobile Unit (food preparation) $258; Mobile Unit (prepackaged) $150; MFU amendment $75

NOTE: Effective 2026-07-01 Texas moved mobile food unit permitting to the STATE (Texas DSHS); DSHS now issues statewide MFU permits (reported tier-based annual fees ~$258-$773). Local MFU fees above may be legacy/pre-transition - verify current authority with DSHS and Tarrant County before relying on them.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

Watch out for

  • Establishments typically inspected twice a year (unannounced); low-risk may drop to once, high-risk/repeat violators more often
  • County working toward uniform fees across contracting cities; walk-in EH office moved to 2500 Circle Dr, Fort Worth (after Oct 1, 2025)

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

CategoryAnnual feeNotes
market/grocery$100Farmers Market permit.
temporary/seasonal/special-event$35 (1-5 days) / $60 (6-14 days)Temporary Food Establishment; 1-5 days $35, 6-14 days $60.
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.tarrantcountytx.gov · www.tarrantcountytx.gov · www.dshs.texas.gov · observed 2026-08-06