Houston Health Department outlines risk‑based food permit fees, elimination of some local permits to comply with Senate Bill 1008

Christopher Sparks, bureau chief of Consumer Health Services at the Houston Health Department, presented proposed revisions to Chapter 20 of the Houston Code of Ordinances to implement changes required by Senate Bill 1008 and to align local rules with the FDA model food code and Texas rules.

Sparks told the committee that SB 1008 "requires local jurisdictions to align their food safety regulations with state and federal models" and limits local authorities from imposing requirements that differ from state law. He said the city will move away from an employee‑tiered fee structure and use a risk‑based model consistent with FDA guidance. Under the proposed structure Sparks described, low‑risk permits would be $258 and high‑risk permits $773 (figures…