Apply for a mobile food vendor operational permit in person.
1. Call to get an appointment.
The Special Permitting Unit is excited to announce a new system to schedule appointments for mobile vending application reviews. The new system, called Bookings, is effective now.
Mobile food vendors can schedule, reschedule, and cancel their own appointments. Before scheduling your permitting inspection, you will need to provide your name, business name, phone number, and email address. Appointments are available for 30-minute time slots from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The online scheduler will automatically send you an appointment confirmation to your email. The confirmation email will include information on how you can reschedule or cancel your appointment. Each mobile food vendor permit requires its own appointment. Each person is limited to four appointments a day.
To schedule your mobile food vendor application review, go to the below links:
If you have any problems scheduling in Bookings, please call 512-978-0300 and tell them you need assistance scheduling your mobile food vendor application review appointment.
2. 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 (CPF) for City of Austin applicants (not required for Travis County)
- CPF certification form for any CPFs located outside Austin city limits or Travis County
- Mobile food vendor itinerary sheet
- Mobile retail restroom facility agreement for City of Austin applicants (not required for Travis County)
- 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. As part of any new permit application, the food manager certificate must be registered with the City of Austin.
- All applicable fees and appropriate payment.
3. Bring your application and documents to your previously scheduled appointment at 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 by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
If you or your business representative is late or misses the appointment time, you will have to reschedule. 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, email the Environmental Health Services Division at ehsd.service@austintexas.gov to ask for a refund request form. Fill it out, sign, scan, and email it to the same address. You can request a refund for any reason.
Travis County
Applications submitted for operation within Travis County are not eligible for a fee refund.