How to Get a Food Truck Permit in Houston: Complete Guide (2026)

Starting a food truck in Houston? The city has a thriving food truck scene, but getting properly permitted involves more steps than most people expect. Between your business registration, the mobile food unit medallion, a commissary agreement, and a vehicle inspection, there's a real process to work through.

This guide walks you through every permit you need, what each one costs, how long it takes, and the order you should tackle them in.

Quick Overview: What Permits Does a Food Truck Need in Houston?

Here's the complete list for a food truck operating within Houston city limits:

1. Texas LLC (Certificate of Formation) — $300
2. Employer Identification Number (EIN) — Free
3. Texas Sales Tax Permit — Free
4. Food Handler Cards for all staff — $7-$15 each
5. Certified Food Manager (at least one person) — $100-$150
6. City of Houston Mobile Food Unit Medallion — $258
7. Street Vendor Permit (if vending on public property) — $100-$300
8. TABC Permit (only if serving alcohol) — $900-$6,600

Total estimated cost (no alcohol): $665-$1,025 plus commissary fees. Total timeline: approximately 8-12 weeks from start to serving.

Step-by-Step: The Order That Actually Works

Step 1: Form Your Texas LLC (Week 1)

Before anything else, you need a legal business entity. File a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State through their SOSDirect online portal.

Cost: $300 standard, $325 expedited (same-day or next-business-day processing). Time: 1-12 business days, depending on whether you pay for expediting.

Before you file, search the SOSDirect database to make sure your business name is available. Choose "member-managed" unless you have a specific reason for "manager-managed" — it's simpler for single-owner operations.

Don't forget: your first Texas franchise tax report is due the following May 15, even if you owe $0.

Step 2: Get Your EIN (Week 1)

Apply directly at irs.gov — it's free and you'll receive your EIN immediately. Do this right after your LLC is approved so the entity name matches exactly.

Cost: Free. Never pay a third-party website. Time: Instant (apply Monday-Friday, 7am-10pm Eastern).

Have your SSN, LLC legal name, and business address ready. The session times out after 15 minutes.

Step 3: Get Your Texas Sales Tax Permit (Week 1-2)

Apply online through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Your physical permit arrives by mail in 2-3 weeks. You must have this before your first sale — it's illegal to collect sales tax without it.

Cost: Free. Time: 2-3 weeks for the permit to arrive by mail.

Pro tip: file and pay sales tax on time to earn the 0.5% timely filing discount — it can save up to $500 per month.

Step 4: Get Food Handler and CFM Certifications (Week 2-3)

All food employees need a Texas Food Handler card. You can get this through any DSHS-accredited online course. It takes about 2 hours and costs $7-$15.

Additionally, at least one person per food truck must hold a Certified Food Manager (CFM) certification. This is a more in-depth exam costing $100-$150. Getting your CFM early sends a good signal to the Health Department when you apply for your medallion.

Food Handler cost: $7-$15 per person. CFM cost: $100-$150. Time: Same day for Food Handler; CFM may require scheduling a testing date.

Step 5: Secure a Commissary Agreement (Week 2-4)

This is a requirement that surprises many new food truck owners. Houston requires every mobile food unit to have a signed agreement with a licensed commissary kitchen. This is where you'll store your truck overnight, restock supplies, dispose of waste water, and clean equipment.

Cost: $600-$2,000 per month (ongoing, not a one-time fee).

Start researching commissary kitchens early. They vary widely in price, location, and available hours. Some popular commissary kitchens in the Houston area include commercial kitchen rental spaces and shared-use facilities. Ask other food truck operators for recommendations.

You must have this agreement signed before you can apply for your medallion.

Step 6: Prepare Your Truck (Weeks 2-6)

Your food truck or trailer must meet specific Houston Health Department requirements before it can pass inspection. Key requirements include:

Three-compartment sink for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and utensils.

Separate handwash sink with hot and cold running water, soap, and paper towels.

Hot and cold running water supply with adequate pressure.

Proper food storage — cold holding at 41°F or below, hot holding at 135°F or above.

Fire suppression system for any cooking equipment that produces grease-laden vapors.

Adequate ventilation over cooking areas.

Smooth, cleanable surfaces on all food contact surfaces and interior walls and ceilings.

If you're buying a used truck, budget for modifications to bring it up to code. If you're building out a new truck, work with a builder who knows Houston Health Department specs.

Step 7: Apply for the Mobile Food Unit Medallion (Week 6-8)

This is the main permit. Apply to the Houston Health Department with:

• Your signed commissary agreement
• Proof of LLC registration
• EIN documentation
• Food Handler and CFM certifications
• Floor plan / layout of your truck
• Equipment list

Cost: $258. Time: 4-8 weeks including inspection.

A health inspector will inspect your truck to verify it meets all requirements. Common reasons for failing: no hot water at the handwash sink, missing thermometers, improper food storage temperatures, or missing fire suppression documentation.

Step 8: Street Vendor Permit (If Needed)

If you plan to vend on public streets, sidewalks, or city-owned property, you need an additional street vendor permit from the City of Houston.

Cost: $100-$300 (confirm with the city, as this fee is subject to change). Time: 2-4 weeks.

This is separate from vending on private property (like parking lots with the owner's permission), which doesn't require a street vendor permit.

How Much Does It All Cost? Full Breakdown

If you're serving beer and wine, add $900-$1,800 for a TABC Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit. If you're serving liquor and cocktails, that jumps to $5,300-$6,600 for a TABC Mixed Beverage Permit plus months of additional wait time.

Food Truck vs. Food Trailer: Does It Matter for Permits?

From a permitting standpoint, Houston treats food trucks and food trailers the same — both are "mobile food units." The same medallion, commissary requirement, and health inspection apply to both.

The difference is operational: a food trailer needs a vehicle to tow it, so factor in the cost and logistics of a tow vehicle if you go that route.

Common Mistakes That Cost Food Truck Owners Time and Money

Not securing a commissary first. Your medallion application requires a signed commissary agreement. If you haven't found one, your whole timeline stalls.

Truck not meeting health department specs. The handwash sink is the number one failure point — it must have hot and cold running water, soap, and paper towels, completely separate from your three-compartment dish sink.

Paying for free permits. The EIN and sales tax permit are free from the government. Don't pay a filing service.

Forgetting annual renewals. Your medallion, food handler cards, and franchise tax report all have renewal dates. Miss them and you could face fines or have to shut down while you sort it out.

Starting without insurance. While not a permit, general liability insurance and commercial auto insurance are essential. Many commissary kitchens and event venues require proof of insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the whole process take? If you already have a truck ready to go, plan for 8-12 weeks from LLC formation to receiving your medallion. If you need to build out or modify a truck, add the construction time on top of that.

Do I need a different permit for each location I park? No. Your Mobile Food Unit Medallion covers you throughout Houston city limits. However, you need the property owner's permission on private property, and a Street Vendor Permit for public streets.

What if I operate outside Houston city limits? If you're in unincorporated Harris County, you'll need a Harris County Public Health food establishment permit instead of the Houston medallion. The requirements are similar but the agency is different.

Can I cook on the truck or do I have to prep everything at the commissary? You can cook on the truck. The commissary is for overnight storage, restocking, water filling, waste disposal, and thorough cleaning. Your daily cooking happens on the truck itself.

Do I need a food truck permit for private catering events? If you're using your food truck to cater a private event on private property, you still need your Mobile Food Unit Medallion. If you're doing a public festival or event, you may also need a Temporary Food Dealer's Permit ($52-$104).

What to Do Next

Every food truck's permit situation is slightly different depending on whether you serve alcohol, vend on public streets, or operate outside Houston city limits. Use our free permit navigator to get a personalized checklist of exactly which permits you need, with costs, timelines, and step-by-step instructions for each one.