Fixed Food Establishments
This program works with operators to ensure food safety within fixed food establishments. These establishments undergo routine inspection to ensure they meet safety standards and employ staff that are properly trained and credentialed. Types of fixed food establishments include restaurants, warehouses, convenience stores, food manufacturers, and food wholesalers.
View the full permit fee schedule here: Permit Fee Schedule | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.
Plan Review
A Food Enterprise Plan Review Application is required for all new constructions and remodeled food establishments. This physical plan review ensures the facility is compliant with state and local health & safety codes.
The plan review application process differs depending on where your food business is located. Businesses located in the City of Austin will go through Austin Development Services. Businesses in Unincorporated Travis County or Inter-Local Municipalities submit applications through Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department. For more information, click the drop downs below.
- City of Austin
- How to Submit an Application
Plan review submissions for the City of Austin go through Austin Development Services. To get started, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit Commercial Plan Review | AustinTexas.gov.
Step 2: Submit your application online through Austin Development Services.
- Please include the completed Food Enterprise Plan Review Application (PDF) with all other required documents when submitting your application through Commercial Plan Review.
Step 3: Once the application is reviewed and approved, you are ready for the next step - to submit the Pre-Opening Inspection Application and the Operational Permit Application.
- City of Austin Plan Review Fees
Plan review fees for applications within the City of Austin:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Event Health & Safety Review $265 New Construction $312 Remodel of Permitted Facility: >10,000 sq. ft. $312 2,500 - 10,000 sq. ft. $266 <2,500 sq. ft. $221 - Helpful Phone Numbers
Health One Stop Shop: (512) 974-3325 | Austin City Information: 311 or (512) 974-2000
Organization Phone Number Organization Phone Number Alcoholic Beverage Licenses (City Clerk)(512) 974-2210 Plan Review, Food Enterprise (512) 974-3325 Alcohol Beverage Commission General: (512) 206-3333
App: (512) 451-0231Automated Inspection Request Line (512) 480-0623 Commercial Building Inspections 974-2380 LCRA On-site Sewage Facility Licenses (512) 473-3216 Food Manager Certification (512) 978-0313 Plan Review, Commercial Construction (512) 974-2949
(512) 974-3469Fire Marshal – Fire Code Inspections (512) 974-0160 Environmental Health Services Division (Food
Enterprise Operating Permit)(512) 978-0300 Inspections – Building (512) 974-2027 Texas Comptroller Office (512) 463-4600 Industrial Wastewater (512) 972-1060 Utility Customer Service (512) 494-9400 Water & Wastewater Inspection Recorder (512) 972-0002 Travis County On-site Sewage Facility Licenses (512) 854-9383 Water & Wastewater 311 or (512) 972-0000
- Unincorporated Travis County and Inter-Local Municipalities
- How to Submit an Application
For plan review submissions in Bee Cave, Lakeway, Manor, Pflugerville, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, Volente, West Lake Hills and Unincorporated Travis County, follow the steps below:
- Visit Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
- Create an account online.
- Choose a Plan Review Application.
- Submit the required information.
If you have trouble navigating the online portal, please visit our office at 1520 Rutherford Ln, Bldg. 1 Ste 205, Austin, TX 78754. Our staff will help you to submit your application online. Please review the Food Enterprise Plan Review Application (PDF) to better understand the application requirements.
- Plan Review Submission and Payment Information
Submission: Plan review submissions may be completed in-person or online. Payment must accompany your application submission.
- Office Address: 1520 Rutherford Ln, Bldg. 1 Ste 205, Austin, TX 78754
- Online: Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department
Payment: Customers may pay in-person, online, or over the phone.- Payment options for Bee Cave, Lakeway, Manor, Pflugerville, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, Volente, West Lake Hills: Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX (in-person or by phone)
- Payment options for unincorporated Travis County: Cash, Check, Money Order
- Make checks and money orders payable to: Austin Public Health
- DO NOT MAIL CASH PAYMENTS
- Plan Review fee may be refundable upon request within 180 days from date of payment
- Fees for Unincorporated Travis County and Inter-Local Municipalities
Fees for plan review submissions in Bee Cave, Lakeway, Manor, Pflugerville, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, Volente, West Lake Hills:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Event Health & Safety Review $265 New Construction $312 Remodel of Permitted Facility: >10,000 sq. ft. $312 2,500 - 10,000 sq. ft. $266 <2,500 sq. ft. $221 Fees for plan review submissions in Unincorporated Travis County:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Event Health & Safety Review n/a New Construction $10 Remodel of Permitted Facility: >10,000 sq. ft. $10 2,500 - 10,000 sq. ft. $10 <2,500 sq. ft. $10
- How to Submit an Application
Pre-Opening applications must be submitted through our My Health Department Customer Portal. To get started, follow the steps below:
- Visit Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
- Create an account online.
- Choose a Pre-Opening Application.
- Submit the required information.
If you have trouble navigating the online portal, please visit our office at 1520 Rutherford Ln, Bldg. 1 Ste 205, Austin, TX 78754. Our staff will help you to submit your application online. Please review the Pre-Opening Inspection Application (PDF) to better understand the application requirements.
- Payment Information
Mail or Walk-in Payments: Payment must accompany applications submitted by mail (Environmental Health Services Division, PO BOX 142529, Austin, TX 78714) or in person at the walk-in location (1520 Rutherford LN, Suite 205).
Phone Payments: For customers submitting via My Health Department Customer Portal, payment instructions may be emailed to you to make credit card payment over the phone for City of Austin and ILA jurisdictions.
Online payments: For online payments, visit https://austinpay.healthinspections.us/index.cfm.
Payment Forms Accepted:
- City of Austin and ILA Jurisdiction: Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX (in-person or by phone), online
- Unincorporated Travis County Jurisdiction: Cash, Check, Money Order
- No Travis County Online payments accepted
- Make checks and money orders payable to: Austin Public Health
- Pre-Opening Inspection Fees
Fees for Pre-Opening Inspection in the City of Austin and Inter-Local Municipalities:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Pre-Opening Inspection $178 Fees for Pre-Opening Inspection in Unincorporated Travis County:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Pre-Opening Inspection n/a
Pre-Opening Inspection
This inspection is required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy after a new or remodeled construction to ensure the approved plans were followed, or before the ownership of an establishment is transferred to another entity or individual. The facility must pass this inspection before a permit can be issued.
Operational Permit Application
This approval is required to complete the permitting process. Once approved, the owner will receive a physical permit and permission to operate a Food Enterprise. Establishments conducting new/remodel construction must undergo a building plan review prior to submitting an operational permit application. See Plan Review application for further details regarding plans.
- How to Submit an Application
An operational permit application may be submitted online or in-person. Please review the printable Operational Permit Application: Food Enterprise (PDF) to better understand the application requirements.
- Applicants must submit all necessary paperwork and payments to Austin Public Health and receive approval before obtaining a permit.
- Approval is based on compliance with State & Local Health Ordinances; application does not guarantee a permit will be granted.
Online: To get started with an online application, follow the steps below:
- Visit Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
- Create an account online.
- Navigate to the Operational Permit Application.
- Submit the required information.
In-person: To submit an application in-person, please visit our office at 1520 Rutherford Ln, Bldg. 1 Ste 205, Austin, TX 78754. Applications must include:
- A completed Operational Permit Application: Food Enterprise form
- Ownership Documentation
- A completed “Inspection Frequency Analysis” form
- Payment Information
For City of Austin and ILA jurisdictions, you will receive an email with your invoice, total amount due, and instructions on how to make payment.
- Payment Forms Accepted in the City of Austin and Inter-Local Municipalities: Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX (in-person or over the phone)
- High-Quality Child Care Providers in the City of Austin, please see Fee Waivers for High-Quality Child Care Providers in Austin. (Word document, 70 KB).
For Travis County, fees will be determined based on an Inspection Frequency Analysis, and the customer will be notified of fee amount due. Applicants will be instructed to submit payment via in-person or mail. Due to the fee assessment process, Travis County applicants that choose to email their applications will see a delay in the process.
- Payment Forms Accepted in Unincorporated Travis County Jurisdiction: Cash, Check, Money Order
- Make checks and money orders payable to: Austin Public Health
- The Permit Application fee may be refundable upon request within 180 days from date of payment.
- Operating Permit Fees
Operating Fees for City of Austin and ILA jurisdictions
Food Service, Retail Food, Food Processing Plant or Warehouse. Operating Permit Fees are based on gross annual volume of food sales:
Gross Annual Volume of Food Sales Permitting Fee $0 - $49,999.99 $309 $50,000 - $149,999.99 $618 $150,000 or more $927 Food Enterprise Operating Permit Fees for Child Care Facilities:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Child Care Facility $309 Qualified High-Quality Childcare Facility (COA Only) $0 Operating Permit Fees for Unincorporated Travis County
Food service, retail food. Fees are based on food safety risk level and number of employees:
Risk & Size Category* Permitting Fee Low Risk/Small - 1C $250 Low Risk/Medium - 1B $275 Low Risk/Large - 1A $300 Medium Risk/Small - 2C $275 Medium Risk/Medium - 2B $300 Medium Risk/Large - 2A $300 High Risk/Small - 3C $275 High Risk/Medium - 3B $300 High Risk/Large - 3C $300 Explanation of risk and size categories:
Risk Categories Size Categories 1 (low risk) A (>50 employees) 2 (medium risk) B (26-50 employees) 3 (high risk) C (1-25 employees) Food Enterprise Operating Permit Fees for Child Care Facilities:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Child Care Facility $309 Qualified High-Quality Childcare Facility n/a - Food Enterprise Inspection Fees
Inspection Fees for City of Austin and ILA jurisdictions
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Pre-Opening Inspection $178 Food Re-Inspection $134 Food Inspection outside of normal work hours $173 Central Preparation Facility Registration $150 Permit Late Fee $120 Variance Request/HACCP Review $337 Inspection Fees for Unincorporated Travis County
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Pre-Opening Inspection n/a Food Re-Inspection n/a Permit Late Fee n/a Variance Request/HACCP Review n/a - Permit Renewal Process
Permits expire one (1) year from the date issued. 45 days prior to operational permit expiration, the department will mail a renewal notice to the mailing address listed on the application. The renewal form must be completed and returned to the department along with a payment for the permit renewal fee.
- Did you not receive your renewal notice?
Establishments that do not receive a notice are still responsible for completing the renewal application and submitting a renewal payment.
For additional information or assistance please contact our customer service representatives by phone, email, in-person.
- Phone: (512) 978-0300
- Email: ehsd.service@austintexas.gov
- Walk-in Location: 1520 Rutherford LN, NE corner of Rutherford LN @ Cameron RD, Building 1 East Entrance
- Variance / HACCP Plan Submission
Plan Submission: Submit a HACCP Plan and/or Variance Request along with any supporting documentation to the department. The department must review and approve all plans before the process/condition under review can be used or implemented. Failure to provide required supporting documentation may result in additional review fees.
Plan Modifications: Any modifications to an approved Variance Requests of HACCP Plan are subject to additional review fees and must undergo another review / approval by the department.
View a printable version of the application here: Variance Request / HACCP Review (PDF, 195 KB)
- Payment Information
Mail or Walk-in Payments: Payment must accompany applications submitted by mail (Environmental Health Services Division, PO BOX 142529, Austin, TX 78714) or in person at the walk-in location (1520 Rutherford LN, Suite 205).
Email: For customers submitting payment via email (ehsd.service@austintexas.gov), payment instructions will be emailed to you to make credit card payment over the phone for City of Austin and ILA jurisdictions.
Payment Forms Accepted:
- Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX (only in-person or over the phone)
- Online payments: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, e-check
- Make checks and money orders payable to: Austin Public Health
- Credit cards not accepted for Travis County payments. Payment types are subject to change.
Review Fee Information
- HACCP (May include Variance) - $337.00 Per Review (1st resubmission gratis)
- Variance Request (W/O HACCP) - $337.00 Per Review (1st resubmission gratis)
- *Not limited to Bee Cave, Lakeway, Manor, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley, Volente, Westlake Hills, Pflugerville*
- How to Apply
Central Preparation Facility Registration applications must be submitted through our My Health Department Customer Portal. To get started, follow the steps below:
- Visit Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
- Create an account online.
- Choose a Central Preparation Facility Registration.
- Submit the required information.
- Fees for Central Preparation Facility Registration
Fees for Central Preparation Facility Registration:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Central Preparation Facility Registration $150 - Guides
- How to Start a Food Business: View this guide if you are a prospective food enterprise operator.
- Food Establishment Inspection Report: View the form used to inspect a food establishment.
- Sample Floor Plan: View a physical kitchen floor plan example.
- Food Manager/Food Handler Requirements: Learn about the training and certification requirements for food enterprise personnel.
- Waste: Learn about waste and how to do your part to reduce it.
- Food Donation Facts: Learn about donating food for human consumption.
- Food Donation Guide: View the guidelines pertaining to food donation.
- Frequently Asked Questions
- General FAQ: View frequently asked questions concerning fixed food establishments.
- Cottage Food Production: View information concerning cottage food industry.
- Laws and Policies
- Federal Drug Administration: 2017 Food Code
- State Regulations: Texas Food Establishment Rules (TFER)
- State Regulations: Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Title 6, Chapter 431)
- State Regulations: Food Manufacturing and Food Warehouse Regulations
- Austin City Code: Food Code (Chapter 10-3)
- Austin City Code: Minors Access to Tobacco (Chapter 10-4)
- Austin City Code: Smoking in Public Places (Chapter 10-6)
- Austin City Code: Dogs Permitted in Outdoor Dining Areas (Ordinance No. 20151008-011)
- County Regulations: Travis County Code, Chapter 247 -- Food Establishment Permits'
Renewing a Permit
Food Enterprises that already have an operational permit must renew their permit on an annual basis.
Variance Request / HACCP Review
Use this application to request a variance, allowing your establishment to deviate from the approved standards, and/or submit a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan showing how you will mitigate risks to food safety.
Central Preparation Facility Registration
A Central Preparation Facility (CPF) is a centralized hub where products, components, or food items are assembled, processed, packaged, and prepared for distribution or service. This registration is only necessary if the establishment provides kitchen space for mobile food vendors or grease traps.
Resources for Operators
For more information on food business operations, click the drop-down menus below.
--> Printable signage can be found at our Food Establishments Resource Library | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.
Have Feedback?
To help us better serve our customers, please provide feedback through the online survey below. To address a concern or request a second opinion regarding an inspection result or complaint, contact us at 512-978-0300 between 7:45 am to 4:45 pm Monday - Friday.
--> Feedback Survey: Austin Public Health Environmental Health Services
To return to our Environmental Health Services Division page, visit Environmental Health Services | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.