Documents for mobile food vendors in Austin

To get a mobile food vendor permit for the City of Austin and contracted local cities, or for Travis County, you’ll need to read a few documents and applications.

Operational permit application (English)

Forms that are part of the application

Central Preparation Facility contract (in jurisdiction)

Central Preparation Facility contract (out of jurisdiction)

Mobile food vendor itinerary sheet

Restroom agreement

Food Manager certificate registration (English)

Food Manager certificate registration (Spanish)

Fire safety

Travis County Fire requirements

Austin Fire Department requirements

AFD requirements in Spanish

Propane System Inspection Report

Mobile food vendor permit types and fees

Learn about mobile food vendor permit types, rules, and fees, then fill out the application for the right permit for your business. Bring it to Austin Public Health’s office to apply in person. Afterward, we’ll schedule a separate inspection appointment.

The mobile food vending permit

The mobile food vendor operating permit allows a business to sell, serve, or give away food or drinks to the public from a wheeled unit for one year. The category of “mobile units” includes:

• Motor vehicles,
• Trailers,
• Pushcarts, bikes, or kiosks, and
• Peddlers on foot selling from coolers or hot boxes.

A mobile food vendor may work inside the region listed on the mobile food vending permit. Regions include the City of Austin, rural Travis County, or local cities and towns contracted with Austin Public Health.

The mobile food vending permit does not replace the base fixed food permit. All mobile food vendors must have a Central Preparation Facility (CPF), which is a fixed food business that provides services to the mobile food unit.

Unrestricted and restricted permits

The type of permit you need depends on the food-handling method you’ll be using.

Unrestricted permits

Unrestricted permits are for vendors handling open food, drinks, or both inside the mobile unit. Examples include snow cones, BBQ, any cooking of foods, and staff-handled drinks.

Restricted permits

Restricted permits are for vendors handling only pre-wrapped food, drinks, or both that must be stored hot, cold, or with time control to keep from spoiling. No open food work is allowed, and all food, drinks, and toppings must be pre-packaged or wrapped at a permitted food business. Examples include packaged frozen foods, grab-and-go tacos, and self-serve drink urns.

City of Austin or Travis County

City of Austin mobile food ordinances only apply inside Austin city limits. However, this includes local cities and towns that have contracted with the City of Austin so that vendors can use the same permit. Those cities and towns are:

• Bee Cave,
• Lakeway,
• Manor,
• Rollingwood,
• Sunset Valley,
• Volente, and
• Westlake Hills.

Travis County follows the Texas Food Establishment Rules and Chapter 341 of the Texas Health and Safety code.

Fees

City of Austin

This includes municipalities contracted with the City of Austin (see list above).

*These fees are assessed by Austin Fire Department.

Travis County

Get a central preparation facility

Mobile food vendors in Austin must contract with a central preparation facility and submit the signed, notarized contract to Austin Public Health.

Central Facility requirements

The operator of the central preparation facility must ensure these requirements are met:

1. Maintain a current and valid Fixed Food Enterprise permit.
2. Provide adequate waste disposal facilities for handling waste water, oil and grease, trash, and all other necessary waste, including an adequately sized grease trap. Get a WEIRS number through Austin Water.
3. Provide a sanitary area for distributing potable water to mobile units.
4. Allow the mobile vendor to bring the unit to the facility for servicing as often as needed.
5. Provide sanitary food storage facilities for dry goods and items requiring temperature control.
6. Allow foods to be stored overnight at the facility under approved sanitary conditions.
7. If needed, provide mobile vendors additional storage for equipment and supplies.
8. A central preparation facility must not be a residential home or a daycare facility.
9. Food may not be prepared or handled at the central preparation facility unless the facility holds a separate, valid food permit at that location.

Log sheet

You must keep a log sheet and document all visits to the central preparation facility. Store the log in the mobile food establishment at all times. We may request a review of the central preparation facility log sheet at any time.

Get food handler training and food manager certificates

Food managers must register their certificates with Austin Public Health’s Environmental Health Services Division, and all mobile food unit employees must complete food handler training.

Mobile food vendor pre-application checklist

Before you fill out your mobile food vendor permit application, it helps to understand the laws and requirements, make a few business decisions, and gather the documents you’ll need.

According to the Texas Food Establishment Rules, any business that sells food, beverages, or both to the public from a mobile unit in Texas must have a permit. A business that only sells beverages still needs a permit. The category of “mobile units” includes:

• Motor vehicles,
• Trailers,
• Pushcarts, bikes, and kiosks, and
• Peddlers on foot selling from coolers or hot boxes.

This checklist covers all the steps you need to take before filling out an application for a mobile food vendor operational permit in the Austin area.

1. Learn about mobile food vendor permit types and fees.
   You’ll need to choose the right permit type for your mobile food business on the operational permit application.
2. Get a Texas sales and use tax ID number.
   You’ll need to include it on your permit application. Learn more about registering for Texas sales tax and start a sales tax ID application on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts’ website.
3. Get a mobile food unit.
   You need to say what type of unit you have on the application. If it’s a motor vehicle or trailer, you’ll also need to provide a license plate number and VIN, plus the make, model, year, and color.
4. File the business documents for your mobile food business.
   You’ll need to indicate what type of business you have on the permit application: proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or LLC.
5. Consider assigning a responsible party to make decisions about your permit.
   If you want anyone other than you to be able to close out, renew, or alter your permit, provide that person’s name, phone number, date of birth, and government-issued ID number. The person’s job title doesn’t matter here.
6. Get one employee per unit to complete a food manager certificate.
   You’ll need to include their name and date of birth on the application.
7. Decide where you’ll operate the mobile food unit.
   A vendor may only work in the jurisdiction or region listed on their mobile vending permit. You can work inside City limits or contracted municipalities, or inside Travis County but not within City limits.
8. Contract with a Central Prep Facility.
9. Decide on your operating hours and locations.
   You’ll need to provide this information to Environmental Health on the itinerary sheet.
10. Decide on restroom arrangements.
    You can arrange to share facilities with a fixed establishment or get a portable restroom. Include a completed Mobile Retail Restroom Facility Agreement in your application.
11. If you use propane, learn about fire inspections and safety requirements.
12. Learn about all other requirements for safely operating your mobile unit.

Food trucks and trailers

If your mobile food unit is a motor vehicle or trailer, you’ll also need to:

• Buy insurance.
  The State of Texas requires that you buy at least minimum coverage.
• Register it with the DMV.
  You’ll need to provide a license plate number and VIN on the operational permit application.

Prepare your mobile food vendor permit application

Apply for a mobile food vendor operational permit in person.

Review the refund policy

City of Austin and contracted municipalities

If you submitted an application for an operational permit within the City of Austin and contracted municipalities, but did not receive a permit because it was denied, you may be eligible for a refund of the permit fee. However, after an application has been processed, the application fee is non-refundable. The fire inspection fee is also non-refundable. There is no prorating, meaning if you get a permit for the full year but only use it for the summer, no portion of the permit’s fee is refundable.

To receive a permit fee refund, fill out a refund request form, then fill it out and send it to Environmental Health office. You can request a refund for any reason.

Travis County

Applications submitted for operation within Travis County are not eligible for a fee refund.

Apply for a mobile food vendor operational permit

Apply for a mobile food vendor operational permit in person at Austin Public Health’s Environmental Health Services Division office.

Protecting public health is a high priority for the City of Austin, so these requirements are very specific. A lot of applicants have questions about some of the steps. You can save time waiting in the lobby by arriving early, as the amount of time you might wait to have your applications reviewed depends on the number of people signed in before you. You can also save time in the review process by having a completed application and reviewing the mobile food vendor permit pre-application checklist. You can also call (512) 978-3000 to ask questions and get help with your paperwork ahead of time.

Fire safety checklist for mobile food vendors

Any mobile food vendor who uses propane or propane accessories and operates in the City of Austin must get an inspection from the Austin Fire Department.

If you use propane or propane accessories on your mobile vending unit inside the City of Austin and contracted municipalities, it must be inspected by the Austin Fire Department (AFD). After your operational permit application is approved, an environmental health officer will schedule the inspection for the same date and time as your mobile unit inspection.

During the fire inspection, AFD personnel will complete a propane system inspection report. Keep the report in your records and bring it with you to each annual permit renewal inspection.

Austin Fire Department inspection checklist for mobile food vendors

To prepare for your inspection, check off this list of conditions in and around your mobile unit to make sure it meets minimum safety requirements. Because all mobile units are different, following this checklist does not guarantee you’ll pass inspection, but it will help you stay safe.

Location of mobile units

• Units shall not be closer than 20 feet to any structure.
• All mobile units must remain at least 15 feet away from any fire hydrant.
• Mobile units shall not block access to a Fire Department Connection (FDC).
• Mobile units shall not obstruct any entrances or exits from a structure.
• Exits of mobile units shall not be obstructed.

Electrical

• Mobile units must supply their own electricity, not use it from a nearby structure.
• No excessive use of extension cords.
• Breaker boxes and junction boxes shall have proper cover.
• All wiring must be in conduit.
• No improper use of electrical accessories and overloading of circuits.

Propane cylinders

• A maximum of two 100-lb propane cylinders are allowed. One is allowed for use and one as a spare. The cylinders cannot be manifolded together.
• Propane cylinders need to be requalified every 12 yrs. A current date of manufacture if new or requalification stamp is required on all cylinders.

Propane cylinder location

• Propane cylinders (including spares) shall not be located:
  • On rear bumpers, on exterior sides of vehicle, or roofs
  • Below the lowest part of the vehicle frame o Inside improperly vented or unvented trunks or beds of vehicles
  • Inside passenger compartments of vehicles
  • On ground.
• The propane storage compartment shall be ventilated with at least two vents(one top of compartment and one bottom of compartment), each vent having an aggregate area equal to at least .5 square inches for each 7 lb of the total propane fuel capacity of the maximum number of the largest cylinders the compartment can hold.
• Vendor will be required to have propane cylinders on vehicle to demonstrate how cylinders are secured to vehicle. Propane cylinders must be secured as to prevent propane bottle from leaving mount or cage in the event of vehicle crash or rollover.
• The relief valve discharge from the propane cylinder shall not be less than 3 ft measured horizontally along the surface of the vehicle to:
  • Openings in the vehicle
  • Propane burning appliance intake or exhaust vents
  • All internal combustion engine exhaust terminations

Propane cylinder equipment

• All cooking appliances shall be listed for use with propane.
• Propane piping cannot be located on sides, rear or roof of unit.
• All appliances must be properly modified for use with propane.
• Appliances required to be vented (by the manufacturers recommendations, usually greater than 40,000 BTUs) must be converted for use with propane by a Master Plumber licensed by the Texas Railroad Commission. Documentation of proper conversion by a plumber must be provided at the time of inspection.
• Piping systems, including fittings and valves shall comply with NFPA 58
• Maximum of 60 inches of metal flex hose allowed for each appliance to connect to the propane hard pipe.
• Metal flex hose must not penetrate through walls, floor or ceiling to the interior of the vehicle. Rigid pipe must be used to penetrate solid assemblies.
• Piping shall be tested annually at not less than 3 psig for 10 minutes before appliances are connected and at system pressure after connection by a licensed LP Gas technician. Documentation of test, within 90 days of inspection, must be provided at the time of inspection and must include:
  • The original document at inspection (not a copy),
  • Pressure and duration of test,
  • Name, address, license number, and phone number of the technician who performed the test, and
  • The mobile vending unit’s license plate number.
• Documentation must include the date of test, pressure and duration of the test, name and license number of the technician, and the vehicle’s license number.
• Manual shutoff valves on gas lines are required at the point of use(the appliance) and at the supply.

Fire extinguishers

• Each mobile unit will be required to have a proper fire extinguisher inside their vehicle (2A10BC fire extinguisher).
• Each fire extinguisher will need to be mounted in a conspicuous location where it can be located quickly.
• Each fire extinguisher will need to be serviced annually and maintain a current tag confirming its status.
• Mobile units using a deep fryer will be required to have a Class K fire extinguisher in addition to the 2A10BC.
• Solid fuel appliances with a fire box are required to have one 2.5 gallon or two 1.5 gallon K type extinguishers.

Travis County Fire Department guidelines for mobile food vendors

Unrestricted mobile vending units operating inside the unincorporated areas of Travis County must be inspected by Travis County Fire. The inspection fee is $125.00. Review Travis County’s checklist of fire safety guidelines before your inspection.

Bring your mobile food unit to your inspection appointment

Environmental health officers will schedule an appointment for a physical inspection of your mobile food unit only after approving your operational permit application.

Changes or upgrades to your mobile unit

If you make structural changes or upgrades to the sink, water system, or propane lines in your mobile unit, you will need to get it inspected again. In general, changing or relocating the same features of your mobile unit, such as equipment, appliances or storage, does not require a new inspection. If you’re not sure, call our office to ask. If you can, we recommend timing any upgrades that require a new inspection with your annual permit renewal.

Requirements to safely operate your mobile food business

Learn the rules, laws, and ordinances that mobile food vendor permit holders in Austin must follow.

Mobile food vendor operational permit holders must follow these laws and requirements. We enforce them to keep you and your customers safe. Not following these requirements can entail reinspection fees, closures, and legal charges in court.

Do:

• Follow state and local laws and ordinances while operating your mobile food business. Here is the full list of state, county, and city laws and ordinances about mobile food vending:
  • City code on food and food handlers: Food Code (Chapter 10-3)
  • City code on the food permit application: Food Permit Application (Chapter 10-3-91)
  • City code on smoking in public places Smoking in Public Places (Chapter 10-6)
  • City code on dogs permitted in outdoor dining areas: Dogs Permitted in Outdoor Dining Areas (Ordinance No. 20151008-011)
  • County policy on food establishment permits: Chapter 47, Travis County Food Order
  • State food business inspection manual: Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER) - Field Inspection Manual 10.11.15
  • State regulations on food, drugs, alcohol, and hazardous substances Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Title 6, Chapter 431)
  • State code on mobile food businesses: Mobile Food Units (§228.221)
• Use the appropriate permit for your operation, whether restricted or unrestricted.
  • Temporary event permits cannot be used in lieu of mobile food vendor permits without prior authorization from Austin Public Health.
  • Mobile food vendors who expand their operations outside of their permitted mobile unit may apply for a temporary permit as long as their mobile food vending permit is both current and for the appropriate jurisdiction.
• Sell from the unit only on approved sites. For sites inside Austin city limits, contact City of Austin Planning and Zoning (PAZ) and Right-of-Way (ROW) departments to determine if the city approved the site for vending.
• Operate your mobile food business only in the jurisdiction your permit allows. Multiple permits are required in order to operate in more than one jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction requires a separate permit. Austin Public Health services the following jurisdictions:
  • City of Austin
  • Unincorporated Travis County
  • Sunset Valley
  • Manor
  • Bee Cave
  • Lakeway
  • Rollingwood
  • Volente
  • Westlake Hills
• Maintain a safe and secure water supply. Hot and cold water must be available under pressure for use to all sinks at all times of operation.
• Install permanent, properly sized holding tanks for fresh water and wastewater in each unit. Fresh water tanks must hold 30 gallons or larger. Wastewater tank must be 15% larger than the fresh water tank. Tanks must allow valve access to the outside of your mobile food establishment for operators to empty and fill the tanks.
• Use food grade hoses for potable water tank refilling.
• Make sure emptying and filling the tank doesn't contaminate the ground surfaces or the mobile food establishment.
• Keep all service items inside the mobile unit or at a central preparation facility at all times. This includes coolers, propane tanks, generators, BBQ pits, grease disposal bins, and cash registers.
• Keep your mobile food unit in a state of ready mobility at all times.
• Report any changes to your mobile food business to Austin Public Health. This can include paperwork like the Central Preparation Facility contract, restroom arrangements, or itinerary sheet, or upgrades or changes to your mobile unit.
• Use your registered Central Preparation Facility (CPF) to service your unit. Keep a separate, valid Food Establishment permit at the CPF location in order to prepare or handle food at the CPF. Maintain a CPF log sheet, documenting all visits to the CPF. The Health Department may request a review of the CPF log sheet at any time.
• Keep all required documents and permits in and on your mobile unit.

Unrestricted permits:

• Display your permit in a clearly visible location on your mobile food unit. Fly that flag!
• Keep in the mobile unit at least one employee’s original, valid City of Austin Food Manager Certificate at all times.

Restricted permits:

• Display your permit in a clearly visible location on your mobile food unit. Fly that flag!
• Keep all required documentation for your records.

Unrestricted permits:

• Maintain documentation showing all employees have completed a state approved Food Handler Training Course within the last two years, except for the one or more employees per unit who are certified Food Managers.
• Keep Austin Fire Department’s propane system inspection report from your mobile unit’s fire inspection, if applicable. Bring it with you to each annual permit renewal inspection.

Restricted permits:

• Maintain documentation showing all employees have completed a state approved Food Handler Training Course within the last two years, except for the one or more employees per unit who are certified Food Managers.

Don’t:

• Do not create or attach permanent utility gas, electrical, water, plumbing, or any other connection, hose, or wiring that prevents your unit from being in a state of ready mobility.
• Do not move the unit to a place, remove something from it, or make any alteration or attachment that reduces or prevents mobility.
• Do not use external equipment. All equipment must be properly enclosed and located in or on the mobile unit at all times, including propane tanks.
• Do not store or leave any service items on the ground.

Safe food and beverage handling requirements

Do:

• Follow the Texas Food Establishment Rules. These are the same rules environmental health officers follow when they do unscheduled inspections at your mobile unit during operating hours.
• Carry out all food and beverage activities inside your permitted mobile food establishment.
• Provide adequate mechanical temperature control equipment for hot and cold food storage that maintains food at the required temperatures:
  • Hold hot foods at 135 °FoF or above.
  • Store cold foods at 41°FoF or below.
• To check food temperatures, provide metal-stem, dial thermometers with a range of 0-220°F and accurate to +/- 2°F in all units that prepare food. Place other thermometers in all refrigeration or cold-hold units.
• Properly label all prepackaged, self-service food items.
• For employee hand washing, supply soap, single-use towels, and hot water to hand sinks at all times.

Don’t:

• Do not serve food prepared at a home to the public.

Other requirements by mobile unit type

Pushcarts

Pushcarts must be non-motorized and maneuverable by one person when fully loaded. Pushcart dimensions cannot exceed 4 feet by 5 feet. Pushcart construction must be smooth and durable with cleanable surfaces.

Unrestricted pushcarts are vendors handling or cooking open food, drinks, or both inside the mobile unit, such as coffee, hot dogs, sausages, snow cones, or ice cream. All other foods need specific approval from Austin Public Health. Unrestricted pushcarts must:

• Provide an overhead, mounted covering for the entire food preparation and service area.
• Provide three completely enclosed sides of protection to the food preparation and service area. This protects food from contamination.
• Provide a 3-compartment sink with hot and cold water supplied under pressure.
• Provide a separate hand sink.
• Meet the physical requirements for fresh/wastewater holding tanks (10 gallon minimum) and fill/clean-out valves.

Restricted pushcarts are vendors handling only food or drinks that were pre-wrapped at a permitted food business. Examples include packaged frozen foods, grab-and-go tacos, and self-serve drink urns. These pushcarts must meet the same requirements as all restricted permits.

Vendors selling from coolers or hot boxes on foot or bike

Vendors selling food or beverages out of coolers or hot boxes must follow the same requirements as restricted permits. You can only provide prepackaged food items from an approved source.

All item storage and vending must occur from the ice chest or hot box. Vendors may not use tables or stands with this type of operation.

Kiosks

Kiosks must be on wheels and connected to move as one solid unit. Kiosks must meet the same requirements as all mobile food establishments. Kiosks cannot have direct plumbing. Kiosks cannot be too large to exit through the doors of its building site.

Renew your mobile food vendor permit

Report changes to your mobile food business

To maintain a valid City of Austin mobile food vendor permit, report any changes to the information on your application to the Environmental Health Services Division of Austin Public Health.