Local permits & fees

Travis County, TX — Commercial Kitchen Permits

Austin Public Health, Environmental Health Services Division · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.

Restaurant / food-facility permit

Food Enterprise Operating Permit

$309 (gross sales $0-$49,999.99); $618 ($50,000-$149,999.99); $927 ($150,000+). Child-care facility $309; qualified high-quality childcare $0.

City of Austin adopted FY25-26 schedule; tiered by gross annual sales, matching the DSHS gross-sales tier structure. Applies within the City of Austin; other Travis County areas may fall under DSHS or a city.

Plan review — required

New construction $312; remodel >10,000 sq ft $312; remodel 2,500-10,000 sq ft $266; remodel <2,500 sq ft $221; event health & safety review $265.

Turnaround: Not published on the page.

Plan-review details & forms →

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Vendor permit - Texas DSHS statewide license (HB 2844)

DSHS: Type I $309; Type II $618 (+$400 pre-licensing inspection); Type III $876 (+$500 pre-licensing inspection)

Austin Public Health held mobile jurisdiction through 2026-06-30; from 2026-07-01 vendors must hold the DSHS statewide Mobile Food Vending permit. APH's prior mobile fees were $309/unit/yr (restricted) or $239/unit/yr (unrestricted). Local fire/zoning still applies.

How to apply

Apply / county portal →Forms & applications

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Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
commissary/central kitchen	$150	Central Preparation Facility Registration.
food processing/wholesale	$309 ($0-49,999.99) / $618 ($50,000-149,999.99) / $927 ($150,000+)	'Food Processing Plant or Warehouse' operating permit; tiered by gross annual sales volume (same tiers as Food Service / Retail Food).
market/grocery	$309 ($0-49,999.99) / $618 ($50,000-149,999.99) / $927 ($150,000+)	'Retail Food' operating permit; tiered by gross annual sales volume.
temporary/seasonal/special-event	$62 per booth	Temporary Food Events, 1-14 days per booth (effective 2025-10-01).

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.austintexas.gov · www.austintexas.gov · www.dshs.texas.gov · www.dshs.texas.gov · observed 2026-08-06