Environmental Health Services
Environmental Health is important to the Austin community. This division provides food safety inspections, inspections at pools, spas, and interactive water features and fountains, state-mandated inspections at custodial care facilities, vector control and pest investigations, and responds to environmental complaints and public health nuisances.
--> To search for inspection scores and view full inspection reports, visit Home | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
- News and Announcements
Office at 1520 Rutherford Lane Closed April 8, 2026
The office of the Environmental Health Services Division (EHSD) located at 1520 Rutherford Lane, Bldg. 1 will be closed on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 11:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. for an employee event. The office will reopen on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 7:45 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Environmental Health Services Retail Program Changes
We want to inform you of the upcoming changes to food permit fees with Austin Public Health (APH), Environmental Health Services (EHS). On August 14, 2025, Austin City Council approved new fees for mobile vending, temporary food permits, *retail food permits, and mobile fire fees.
- Attention: Please be aware that we have updated our fee schedule.
- For more information visit Environmental Health Services Retail Program Changes | AustinTexas.gov.
- All new fees will take effect on October 1, 2025.
Mobile Vending Onsite Permitting Inspection Pilot Program
We’d like to share an important update regarding the Mobile Vending Onsite Permitting Inspection Pilot Program. City Council has recently approved the fees for onsite permitting inspections as part of the pilot. Our team is currently developing the process to review and schedule appointments for interested vendors. We anticipate the pilot will begin in late summer 2025.
While we move forward with the planning phase, we are also closely monitoring House Bill 2844, which may impact our local program. If enacted, this bill would transfer oversight of mobile vending from the local level to the State, potentially requiring us to discontinue the pilot.
We will continue to keep you informed as we learn more. In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and interest in participating. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 512-978-0300 Option #5 (press twice).
TRAVIS COUNTY INVOICES CAN NOT BE PAID ONLINE
All questions and concerns can be submitted via email to EHSD.Service@austintexas.gov or by contacting 512-978-0300. In addition to our in-person services, you may submit your applications and requests for processing by:
- Mail: Austin Public Health, PO BOX 142529, Austin, TX 78714; along with payment by check or money order, or
- Email: EHSD.Service@austintexas.gov; and you will receive payment instructions to make payment.
- Permit Fee Schedule
- We operate on a cost-recovery fee structure. Permit and inspection fees are set to cover the cost-of-service delivery—developed through cost-of-service analyses—and adjusted via City Council resolutions to maintain program operations without generating surplus revenue.
- My Health Department Customer Portal
My Health Department is a customer portal where you can create an account, update contact information, submit applications, review submitted documents and make payments online. For instructions on how to sign-up, log in, and navigate the customer portal, click on the drop-down options below. To access the customer portal, visit https://myhealthdepartment.com/APH/login.
- How to Sign-up and Login
To access My Health Department, follow the instructions below. If you have any questions, please reach out to our office by phone or visit us in-person.
To get started, visit the My Health Department Customer Portal at https://myhealthdepartment.com/APH/login.
Click Sign Up and follow registration instructions to create an account with My Health Department.
Log in with your Email Address and Password.
- Navigating My Health Department
Once you log in, you will be taken to your My Health Department Dashboard. From here, you have several options:
- Click Dashboard anytime to return to this homepage.
- Click Account to view and edit your account settings.
- Saved Drafts allows you to work on a draft, save it, and finish your work later.
- Click Past Submissions to view any past submissions.
- Pay Invoice allows you to make payments.
- Google Translate will translate the site into the language of your choice.
- Logout when you are finished.
- How to Submit Applications, View Inspection Results, and Make Payments
From the Dashboard, you will also find the option to submit Applications, Requests, and Complaints, and an option to view Inspection Results.
How to Submit an Application
To submit an Application, click on the Application of your choosing.
Some applications are nested, which means you may need to click multiple times to find the type of application that you need.
Click Submit a New Request for Inspection.
Follow the built-in instructions to fill out the application form (*required fields have red asterisk).
Sign the document to acknowledge that the information is true and correct.
Upload any pertinent files.
Save draft (and edit later if needed).
Click Submit.
From the dashboard, click Past Submissions to view and edit the application, attach new files or add messages.
How to Submit a Complaint
To submit a complaint, click Complaint.
You will be re-directed to the 3-1-1 Request page: Submit a 3-1-1 request | AustinTexas.gov.
Follow the instructions provided to submit your complaint request online.
How to View Inspection Results
Click Inspection Results to view an inspection.
Browse all of your inspections or search using specific criteria, such as date range, inspection type, etc.
Click on the Inspection of you choice. You will be re-directed to a different URL to view your inspection.
How to Make a Payment
To make a payment, click Pay Invoice.
Enter your invoice number and click search to find your bill.
Follow the instructions provided to make payment.
Food Safety Programs
The division ensures food safety for all food establishments. Click the links below to visit the selected program page:
--> Charitable Feeding Organizations
--> Farmers Markets
--> Vending Machine Application
Pool, Spas, Interactive Water Features & Fountains
The division ensures the health and safety of all public and semi-public aquatic facilities to reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases and accidental drownings and injuries. Click the link below to visit the pool, spa, and interactive water features and fountains page:
--> Pools, Spas, Interactive Water Features and Fountains
Custodial Care Facilities: Childcare, Foster Care, and Adoption Housing
The division performs state-mandated inspections required for custodial care facilities, such as childcare, foster care and adoption housing.
- How to Apply for a Custodial Care Inspection
To apply for a Custodial Care Inspection online, see the instructions below - or complete and return the Custodial Care Inspection Application (PDF) to our office.
To apply for a permit online, follow the steps below:
- Visit Login | Austin Public Health | My Health Department.
- Create an account online and log-in using your account information.
- Click Child Care/Adoption/Foster Care Inspection Request.
- Click Submit a New Child Care/Adoption/Foster Care Inspection Request.
Follow the built-in instructions to fill out the application form (*required fields have red asterisk).
Sign the document to acknowledge that the information is true and correct.
Upload any pertinent files.
Save draft (and edit later if needed).
Click Submit.
From the dashboard, click Past Submissions to view and edit the application, attach new files or add messages.
- Inspection Fees
City of Austin/Inter-Local Fees for Custodial Care Facilities:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Custodial Inspection $110 Qualified High Quality Childcare Facility (COA Only) $0 Fee Waivers for High-Quality Child-Care providers in Austin
As a support for high quality child-care providers that accept child-care subsidies, Austin Public Health’s (APH) Environmental Health Services Division offers fee waivers for Custodial Care Inspections and Food Enterprise Permits for facilities within the City of Austin.
--> For more information, please see Fee Waivers for High-Quality Child-Care providers in Austin information (PDF).
Unincorporated Travis County Fees for Custodial Care Facilities:
Permit Fee Type Permitting Fee Custodial Inspection n/a - Report a Nuisance, Smoking Violation or a Problem with Rodents
--> To submit a complaint or report a nuisance, visit 311 | AustinTexas.gov.
--> To report a smoking violation in the City of Austin, visit Report a smoking violation | City of Austin Services | AustinTexas.gov.
--> To report a problem with rodents, visit Report a problem with rodents | City of Austin Services | AustinTexas.gov.
- City of Austin Municipal Code
Within the city limits, we investigate Animal Enclosures/Setback Limits, Smoking in Public Places, Minors' Access to Tobacco, food handling, and reports of foodborne illness (food poisoning). To learn more about these city ordinances, click the links below:
For more information on Smoking in Public Places, visit Smoking in Public Places | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.
- Public Health Regulations Unincorporated Travis County
Outside the city limits, we investigate nuisances related to trash, rubbish, debris, junked vehicles, tall weeds/grass, mosquito harbors, unmaintained pools, and substandard structures.
For more information, visit Public Health Regulations for Unincorporated Areas of Travis County | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.
- Phone: (512) 978-0300 and select option 5.
- Email: ehsd.service@austintexas.gov
- Mailing Address: Environmental Health Services, PO Box 142529, Austin, TX 78767
- Physical Address: Environmental Health Services, 1520 Rutherford Lane, Building One
- Lobby Hours: 7:45am - 3:30pm | Office Hours: 7:45am - 4:45pm
Complaints and Public Health Nuisances
We respond to environmental complaints within the City of Austin and Unincorporated Travis County. To submit a complaint or report a nuisance, visit 311 | AustinTexas.gov, or check out the additional options in the drop-down menus below.
Mosquito and Rodent Control
The division provides on-site assessments and responds to complaints about rodents, mosquitoes, and stinging insects. The program also performs mosquito surveillance (trapping) to identify the source of mosquito borne diseases and applies limited control measures. Click on the links below for more information:
--> Environmental Vector Control | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov
--> Mosquito | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov
Contact Us
How can you get in touch with us? Fill out the contact us form. Reach us via phone, email, by mail or in-person at the address below. View a map of our location.
Resources
- Food Handler and Food Manager Requirements
For more information on food personnel requirements, visit Food Personnel Requirements | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.
- All employees handling food must be trained in a state-certified training program to ensure knowledge of food safety practices.
- All food establishments must have a state Certified Food Protection Manager Certificate.
- Food Safety Resources
Printable signage for Food Enterprises can be found at our Food Establishments Resource Library | Austin Public Health | AustinTexas.gov.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- Foodborne Outbreaks
- FDA and USDA Food Safety Information and Recalls
- Conditional Employee and Food Employee Interview: FDA Form 1-A (PDF)
- Conditional Employee or Food Employee Reporting Agreement: FDA Form 1-B (PDF)
- Conditional Employee or Food Employee Medical Referral: FDA Form 1-C (PDF)
- Full List of Services
The Environmental Health Services Division (EHSD) promotes public health and safety to ensure compliance with state and local health codes. View a complete list of services.
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