Austin officials brief vendors on state takeover of mobile-food permits under House Bill 2844

Austin officials told a crowded town-hall audience that House Bill 2844 transfers mobile food-vendor licensing from local health departments to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) effective July 1, 2026, and explained how that will change inspections, fees and where vendors must apply.

Todd Mears, public health program manager with Austin Public Health, opened the meeting and told vendors the state will be the licensing authority beginning July 1. "There is another cook in the kitchen now," Mears said, adding that DSHS "began accepting applications online just this month." He urged vendors to gather documents, payment information and a photograph of their local permit before starting the state application so they can complete the online form without interruption.

The city will not stop supporting vendors, Mears said: Austin Public Health signed an interlocal agreement with DSHS to provide prelicensing inspections under contract for an initial 13-month term beginning July 1, and vendors will receive a scheduling letter from the state. "Once you receive the Texas Department of State Health Services letter, contact Austin Public Health at (512) 978-0300," he said.

Why it matters: vendors who already hold a local health permit must still apply to DSHS and carry the state application summary and payment receipt as temporary proof of authorization. New vendors who lack a local permit cannot operate until they pass a state-required prelicensing inspection, which APH said the state requires to be scheduled and completed within 14 days of application.

Fire and county roles: assistant chief Andre Del Arreza of the Austin Fire Department said the department will continue to perform city fire inspections and work to reduce duplicative steps with the new state process. "Our ultimate goal is for you and your workers to be safe and for the people who are purchasing food from y'all to be safe," Del Arreza said. He and Travis County Fire Marshal Gary Howe advised vendors to begin with the state health application because a valid health license is the starting point for a fire inspection. Howe added that vendors operating in unincorporated Travis County must obtain county permits and register through county systems.

Temporary permits, refunds and fees: multiple vendors asked whether cities will continue to issue temporary permits for out-of-state mobiles and whether already paid local fees will be refunded. Officials said fire jurisdictions do not offer temporary fire permits and that DSHS is not issuing temporary mobile licenses for short-term use. Mears recounted earlier confusion: city staff had initially thought the state would honor local permits through their expiration, but after state guidance APH learned local permits are null and void as of July 1. To mitigate the burden, Austin began offering prorated local permits as a transitional measure; APH advised vendors to check the state portal for fee amounts (the city cited a $309 example for a basic Type 1 proposal on the DSHS site).

Risk-based types and examples: Michelle Miller, who leads APH’s mobile-food vending work, summarized the state’s risk-based types: Type 1 covers prepackaged goods (lowest risk), Type 2 covers cook-and-serve operations, and Type 3 covers vendors that cook, cool and reheat food (higher risk). She told vendors the classification depends on the food processes they use, not only vehicle type.

Operational details vendors asked about included: whether a 45-foot trailer could be inspected on-site (city/ county may accommodate on a case-by-case basis), whether University of Texas campus operations require separate approvals (UT’s fire marshal controls campus fire inspections), and how central preparation facilities must meet Austin Water grease-trap and manifest requirements. Jay Porter, division manager for utility compliance services at Austin Water, advised vendors to hire permitted liquid-waste haulers and to require manifests so waste disposal is traceable.

What vendors should do now: apply to DSHS via the online portal immediately, retain the payment receipt and application summary as temporary proof of licensing, and contact Austin Public Health after they receive the state scheduling letter to arrange their prelicensing inspection. APH provided an email for follow-up questions: ehsd.service@austintexas.gov and posted resources and FAQs on its website.

The town hall closed with staff offering to remain to answer questions and to publish updated guidance on city web pages and social media as coordination with DSHS, Austin Fire and Travis County continues.