How much does a food truck permit cost in Austin?

The Austin Public Health (APH) Mobile Food Vendor Permit is $309/year. Add fire department inspection ($222), food handler certification ($4-8), and certified food manager exam ($35-80). Commissary agreements typically run $200-500/month separately. Total upfront: roughly $600 in permits + $200+/month commissary. This changes July 1, 2026 when Texas HB 2844 takes effect with a new statewide DSHS license ($300-$1,350 depending on tier).

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Austin?

Yes. You must have a notarized Central Preparation Facility (CPF) agreement before applying for your permit. The commissary provides food storage, refrigeration, potable water, wastewater disposal, grease disposal, equipment storage, ware-washing, and parking when not operating. Local commissaries include PREP ATX and Capital Kitchens.

What is HB 2844 and how does it affect Austin food trucks?

Texas HB 2844 (the Food Truck Freedom Bill) takes effect July 1, 2026. It replaces city-level mobile food vendor permits with a statewide DSHS license in three tiers: Type I (prepackaged, $300), Type II (limited cook-to-order, $600 + $400 inspection), Type III (complex multi-step prep, $850 + $500 inspection). Your statewide license works in every Texas city. Local ordinances on parking, hours, and noise remain enforceable.

How long does it take to get a food truck permit in Austin?

Typically 14-30 days from application to approval if you have all prerequisites ready. Critical path: food handler certificate (same day), certified food manager exam (1-7 days), commissary agreement (1-2 weeks depending on availability), then APH review and on-site inspection (1-2 weeks).

Austin, TX • Food Truck

How to Get a Food Truck Permit in Austin, TX (2026 Guide)

Last updated: April 2026 • ~12 min read

Opening a food truck in Austin in 2026 means navigating a regulatory landscape that's about to change dramatically. Texas HB 2844 — the Food Truck Freedom Bill — takes effect July 1, 2026, replacing city-level permits with a statewide DSHS license. This guide walks you through the complete permit process for both the current system and the new one.

⚠️ If you're applying after July 1, 2026

The process changes. Skip to HB 2844: The New Statewide Food Truck License.

The full list of permits and licenses you need

Permit / License	Cost	Issuer	Renewal
Federal EIN	Free	IRS	Never
TX Business Entity Registration	$300	TX Secretary of State	Annual report
TX Sales Tax Permit	Free	TX Comptroller	Ongoing
Food Handler Certificate	$4-8 per person	DSHS-accredited providers	Every 2 years
Certified Food Manager	$35-80	ANSI-CFP provider (e.g., ServSafe)	Every 5 years
APH Mobile Food Vendor Permit	$309	Austin Public Health	Annual
Austin Fire Department Inspection	$222	Austin Fire Department	Annual
Central Preparation Facility (commissary) Agreement	$200-500/mo	Third-party commissary	Ongoing
Right-of-Way Permit (if using public streets)	Varies	Austin Transportation Dept	Per-event

Minimum upfront cost: roughly $600 in permits + commissary deposit.

Step 1: Form your business entity (Week 1)

Most food truck operators form an LLC for liability protection. File with the Texas Secretary of State ($300). Then get your federal EIN at irs.gov (free, instant).

With your EIN in hand, register for a Texas Sales Tax Permit at comptroller.texas.gov — it's free and usually issued within 1-2 weeks.

Step 2: Get your Food Handler + Food Manager certs (Week 1)

Every employee handling food needs a Texas Food Handler Certificate ($4-8 online, valid 2 years). Beyond that, at least one person in your operation must be a Certified Food Manager — that's an ANSI-CFP accredited exam (~$35-80 through ServSafe or similar).

💡 Austin-specific requirement

If you operate within Austin city limits, your CFM certificate must be registered with Austin Public Health, not just with the state. Do this before applying for the mobile vendor permit.

Step 3: Secure a commissary (Weeks 1-2)

You cannot get a Mobile Food Vendor Permit in Austin without a notarized Central Preparation Facility (CPF) agreement. The commissary must provide:

Food storage and refrigeration
Potable water supply
Wastewater disposal
Grease disposal
Equipment storage
Ware-washing facilities
Parking when not operating

Common Austin commissaries: PREP ATX, Capital Kitchens, and various shared commercial kitchens. Expect $200-500/month depending on included amenities and access hours.

You also need a separate restroom facility agreement if you'll operate for more than 2 hours at a single location.

Step 4: Apply for the Mobile Food Vendor Permit (Weeks 2-3)

Apply through the Austin Public Health portal. You'll need:

Business entity documentation (LLC formation)
Food Manager Certificate registered with APH
Notarized commissary agreement
Vehicle specifications and photos
Menu
Wastewater disposal plan
$309 fee

⚠️ Do NOT drive your food truck to APH without an appointment

Their guidance is explicit: "Do NOT bring in your mobile vending unit without an appointment." They'll turn you away. Schedule your inspection appointment in advance.

Location restrictions you need to know

50 feet from brick-and-mortar restaurants (unless you have permission)
300 feet from schools during school hours
Public right-of-way (streets, sidewalks) requires a separate permit from Austin Transportation

Step 5: Fire Department inspection

All mobile food units with propane or electric appliances producing smoke/grease-laden vapors need an Austin Fire Department inspection ($222 standard, $592 for on-site). This has been mandatory since October 2023.

HB 2844: The New Statewide Food Truck License (effective July 1, 2026)

Texas HB 2844 replaces city-by-city permitting with a single statewide DSHS license. One license, valid in every Texas city. This is the biggest change to food truck regulation in Texas history.

The three license tiers

Tier	What You Can Cook	Application Fee	Pre-License Inspection	Annual Renewal Inspection
Type I	Prepackaged, non-TCS foods (chips, bottled drinks)	$300	—	—
Type II	Limited cook-to-order (burgers, tacos, hot dogs)	$600	$400	$400
Type III	Complex multi-step prep (cooking, holding, cooling, reheating)	$850	$500	$500

What HB 2844 eliminates

City-level mobile food vendor permits (APH's $309 permit goes away for trucks)
The state-level commissary requirement is relaxed (though you'll still need operational facilities in practice)
Duplicative fees across jurisdictions

What HB 2844 does NOT eliminate

Local ordinances on parking, hours, noise, and zoning remain in full force
Austin Fire Department inspections still apply
Food Handler and Certified Food Manager requirements are unchanged
Sales tax permits and business entity registration still required

A new wrinkle: the 7-day location itinerary

Under HB 2844, operators must submit a list of planned locations with dates and times to DSHS at least 7 days in advance. Plan ahead or risk violations.

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This is not legal advice. Verify all requirements with the official sources linked throughout before acting. Regulations change; this page was last verified in April 2026.