Food Establishments

Hays County Mobile Food Permits Expire June 30, 2026


 Effective July 1, 2026, Texas is transitioning to a statewide permitting system for mobile food units, with all Hays County Mobile Food Permits expiring June 30, 2026. 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 4, 2026. Vendors who already hold a mobile food unit permit will have a streamlined process according to DSHS.

 

Please be aware that vendors selling prepackaged foods that do not require refrigeration such as chips, candy bars, and soda from a manufactured source will be required to get a mobile food unit permit under this new law. New rules and requirements were adopted on May 19, 2026, by DSHS. For more information on these requirements please refer to Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 437B or Title 25 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 226. 

 

While health permits are becoming statewide, vendors must still comply with local fire codes, zoning laws, parking, and other applicable local laws. Additional permitting information from DSHS can be found here.

 

For general questions about new processes, procedures, or Hays County’s authority, please contact foodpermits@hayscountytx.gov.


Los permisos para puestos de comida ambulantes del condado de Hays vencen el 30 de junio de 2026

 

A partir del 1 de julio de 2026, Texas implementará un sistema estatal de permisos para puestos de comida ambulantes. Todos los permisos del condado de Hays vencerán el 30 de junio de 2026. Una sola licencia estatal reemplazará los permisos individuales de cada ciudad o condado, con el objetivo de simplificar las operaciones de 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 indicado que los vendedores ambulantes pueden comenzar a registrarse para obtener un permiso estatal para puestos de comida ambulantes el 4 de junio de 2026. Los vendedores que ya cuenten con un permiso para puestos de comida ambulantes tendrán un proceso simplificado, según el DSHS.

 

Tenga en cuenta que los vendedores de alimentos preenvasados ​​que no requieren refrigeración, como papas fritas, barras de chocolate y refrescos de origen industrial, deberán obtener un permiso para puestos de comida ambulantes según esta nueva ley. El 19 de mayo de 2026, el Departamento de Servicios de Salud y Seguridad de Texas (DSHS) adoptó nuevas normas y requisitos. Para obtener más información sobre estos requisitos, consulte el Capítulo 437B del Código de Salud y Seguridad de Texas o el Título 25 del Código Administrativo de Texas, Capítulo 226.

 

Si bien los permisos sanitarios se están extendiendo a todo el estado, los vendedores aún deben cumplir con los códigos locales de incendios, las leyes de zonificación, las normas de estacionamiento y demás leyes locales aplicables. Puede encontrar información adicional sobre permisos del DSHS aquí.

 

Para preguntas generales sobre los nuevos procesos, procedimientos o la autoridad del Condado de Hays, comuníquese con 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.