Disease prevention
Offered by: Austin Public Health

Prepare your mobile food vendor permit application

Apply for a mobile food vendor operational permit in person.

  1. Gather documents and fees.

    For both unrestricted and restricted permits, you’ll need the following documents and applications:

    • A completed Mobile Food Vendor: Operational Permit Application (PDF, 125 KB). This includes the following documents:
      • Notarized agreement with a registered Central Preparation Facility
      • Central Preparation Facility (CPF) Certification form for any CFPs located outside Austin/Travis County
      • Mobile Food Vendor Itinerary Sheet
      • Mobile Retail Restroom Facility Agreement
    • An active sales and use tax ID number, unless you’re only applying for a Travis County permit.
    • A clear copy of a current and valid government-issued photo identification card for all applicants, including the business owner and any responsible parties.
    • The name and date of birth of the Certified Food Manager for the mobile food unit.

    All applicable fees and appropriate payment.

  2. Bring your application and documents to the Environmental Health Services Division office.

    Mobile food vendors can submit their operational permit applications at Austin Public Health’s Environmental Health Services Division office only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:45 am to 11:00 am. The office is located at 1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX, 78754.

    Generally, you’ll wait less time if you have your application ready for review when you get there. Incomplete applications are not accepted, so make sure yours is complete before you go. If you have any questions or need help filling out the application, call the Environmental Health office at (512) 978-0300.

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.

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