Food Establishments

All County Issued Mobile Food Unit Permits Expire June 30, 2026


New Texas mobile food unit rules are set to be adopted by May 1, 2026


Effective July 1, 2026, Texas is transitioning to a statewide permitting system for mobile food units, with many local permits set to expire June 30, 2026. Under HB 2844, a single state license will replace individual city/county permits, aiming to simplify operations for food trucks. Local jurisdictions will continue current permitting until that date.


The Department of State Health Service (DSHS) has stated that mobile vendors can begin registering for a statewide mobile unit permit on June 1, 2026. Vendors who already hold a mobile food unit permit will have a streamlined process according to DSHS.


While health permits are becoming statewide, vendors must still comply with local fire codes, zoning laws, and parking

Permitting your mobile unit with DSHS (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/retail-food-establishments/permitting-information-retail-food-establishments)


For general questions about new processes and procedures, please contact foodpermits@hayscountytx.gov.


Todos los permisos de unidades móviles de alimentos emitidos por el condado expiran el 30 de Junio de 2026

 

Se prevé que las nuevas reglas de Texas para unidades móviles de alimentos se adopten para el 1 de Mayo de 2026

 

A partir del 1 de Julio de 2026, Texas está haciendo la transición a un sistema estatal de permisos para unidades móviles de alimentos, con muchos permisos locales que expirarán el 30 de Junio de 2026. Bajo la HB 2844, una sola licencia estatal reemplazará los permisos individuales de ciudad/condado, con el objetivo de simplificar las operaciones para los camiones de comida. Las jurisdicciones locales continuarán con el sistema de permisos actual hasta esa fecha.

 

El Departamento de Servicios de Salud del Estado (DSHS) ha declarado que los vendedores móviles pueden comenzar a registrarse para un permiso estatal de unidades móviles a partir del 1 de Junio de 2026. Los vendedores que ya cuentan con un permiso de unidad móvil de alimentos tendrán un proceso simplificado según el DSHS.

 

Aunque los permisos de salud pasarán a ser estatales, los vendedores aún deben cumplir con los códigos locales de incendios, las leyes de zonificación y el estacionamiento

Permitir su unidad móvil con el DSHS (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/retail-food-establishments/permitting-information-retail-food-establishments)



Para preguntas generales sobre nuevos procesos y procedimientos, por favor contacte a foodpermits@hayscountytx.gov



Overview

All retail food establishments, mobile food establishments, temporary event food vendors, farmer's market food vendors, and yard egg producers which operate in the unincorporated areas of Hays County and/or in the cities of Buda, Kyle, and Wimberley are required to obtain a Food Permit from Hays County Development Services.


Do I need a food permit? A food permit is required for anyone conducting the following operations including, but not limited to, stores, prepares, packages, serves/vends food, use of ice as an ingredient, or washing dishes for public use.


A Food Establishment Permit can be applied for online at MyGovernmentOnline. Click on “Customer Portal" then enter "Texas" as the State followed by "Hays County as the "Jurisdiction". Next, click "GO". Log into your account or create an account, if you are a new user.


To view the department's Fee Schedule or the Online Application & Payment Guide, please visit the General Documents   page.



Legislative Activity & Changes

89th Regular Session (SB 1008, HB 2844, and SB 541):

  • Limits on inspection and permit fees for certain types of food businesses
  • Elimination of food permits for some child care centers
  • Statewide mobile food vendor permitting (The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will permit mobile food units beginning July 1, 2026)
  • No permit required for approved cottage food sales
  • Required notification procedure for all rule and fee changes.
  • Become a stakeholder with our county today by signing up at the bottom of the page


These new statutes require local authorities to coordinate with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), including how fees are charged, how inspections are conducted, and the oversight of mobile food establishments.

Authority & Regulations

Complaints

Below are three (3) options to file a complaint about a food establishment.

  1. Call 512 – 393 – 2150.
  2. Email the food inspectors with as much detail as possible.
  3. Online Reporting: visit MyGovernmentOnline. Click on “Customer Portal" then enter "Texas" as the State followed by "Hays County as the "Jurisdiction". Next, click "GO". On the left side, select "File/Submit a Complaint about a Food Establishment". Lastly follow all the on-screen prompts. Please be as detailed as possible, including any photos, documents, location information, and any other information you believe will assist our investigators.
Resources
Contact A Food Inspector

For more information about food establishments, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

Did not find the information you need? Please reach out to our dedicated staff by emailing foodpermits@hayscountytx.gov or by calling 512-393-2150.

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Stakeholder Notice

Per Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 437.0127, A county, municipality, or public health district that charges fees, requires permits, or conducts inspections under this chapter shall provide an opportunity for stakeholders to sign up for email updates.


Hays County will email all stakeholders who have signed up for email updates at least 60 days before a fee, permit, or inspection protocol or procedure is revised.


By submitting the information below, you are granting permission / voluntarily subscribing to receive email messages from Hays County Development Services about the aforementioned food establishment fees, permits, or inspection procedures.