Texas city permit guide
Austin mobile food vendors need to track health permitting, fire inspections for propane or grease-vapor equipment, Central Preparation Facility support, restroom agreements, Travis County distinctions, and state-level tax requirements.
Last reviewed May 2026. This guide is informational and is not legal advice.
Direct answer
Start with the Austin Public Health Mobile Food Vendor permit, then confirm Austin Fire Department inspection requirements, Central Preparation Facility documents, restroom agreements for locations over two hours, Travis County distinctions, and Texas sales tax registration.
Austin Public Health mobile food vendorsFire answer
Austin Fire conducts mobile food vending inspections, and a fire permit is required for vendors using propane or electric cooking appliances that create smoke or grease vapors.
Austin Fire mobile food vending inspectionsPermit checklist
Start with the address and use of the space. New openings, remodels, ownership changes, alcohol service, mobile operations, and special equipment can each add requirements.
Also seen as: MFV operational permit, mobile food vendor application
Austin Public Health says its mobile food vendor program covers food trailers, motor vehicles, pushcarts, and kiosks, and applications are submitted through its online platform.
Also seen as: AFD fire inspection, mobile food preparation vehicle fire permit
Austin Fire conducts inspections for vendors operating in the City of Austin. A fire permit is required for vendors using propane or electric cooking appliances that create smoke or grease vapors.
Also connected to: CPF contract, CPF certification, restroom agreement
Austin requires Central Preparation Facility documents and says City of Austin mobile food vendors must maintain a current Restroom Facility Agreement for each location where the unit operates longer than two hours.
Also connected to: variance request, HACCP review, Travis County fire inspection
Austin lists separate paths for variance/HACCP review and unincorporated Travis County. Operators should also verify Texas sales tax registration when making taxable sales.
Why it gets missed
AFD fire permitting applies when propane or smoke/grease-vapor cooking equipment is used.
Austin requires restroom agreements for locations where the unit operates longer than two hours.
Austin and unincorporated Travis County have separate fee tables and fire-inspection paths.
CPF contracts and certifications are part of the operating support package.
PermitWatchdog workflow
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