Food trucks must operate under a valid City of Austin and/or Travis County Mobile Vending permit in accordance with all the rules and regulations of Public Health. Food truck operators may not expand operations to areas outside of the mobile food establishment.
If you plan to have a food truck at your event, you are not required to obtain additional health permits. However, it is your responsibility to ensure those trucks have the proper permits onsite.
Effective October 1, 2023, all food trucks (MVUs) equipped with propane, as well as MVUs using electric appliances that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors, will require an inspection from the Austin Fire Department before being allowed to work within Austin city limits. This includes local MVUs as well as MVUs visiting from outside of Austin that are applying for either temporary or annual Mobile Food Vending permits issued by Austin Public Health. MVUs operating without an inspection from the Austin Fire Department will be shut down, and a citation will be issued. Visit the AFD Mobile Vending webpage for more information.
Additionally, the permit issued by the City of Austin’s Public Health Department doesn’t allow for vending on the right-of-way (parking space, sidewalk, and/or street). A Special Event Closure permit from the Austin Transportation Department is required for food truck vending in the right-of-way.
Food trucks temporarily operating in the Austin area and not in compliance with the above must contact Public Health’s Environmental Health Services division at 512-978-0300.
For all questions specific to Austin Fire Department requirements, please email AFDMobileVending@austintexas.gov.