Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Dallas, TX (2026)
3 verified food trucks & mobile vendors rules for Dallas, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Food Truck Permits
Dallas requires a Mobile Food Establishment permit from Dallas Code Compliance Consumer Health ($380–$675 annually). Per Dallas City Code §17-7, trucks must operate from a Dallas-permitted commissary, may not vend within 100 feet of a brick-and-mortar restaurant entrance, and need property-owner consent for any private-lot location. A Texas Food Manager certificate is mandatory.
Dallas Mobile Food Establishment Permit Rules
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 437.003 (County Authority to Require Food Service Permit, Including Mobile Food Units)
Sec. 437.003. COUNTY AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE PERMIT. Subject to Section 437.0045, to enforce state law and rules adopted under state law, the commissioners court of a county by order may require food service establishments, retail food stores, mobile food units, and roadside food vendors in unincorporated areas of the county, including areas in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality...
Vending Zones
Dallas splits mobile food unit vending into two zones. Inside the Central Business District, a truck needs a CBD concession license plus a state mobile food permit. Outside the CBD, general service mobile food units cannot vend on public property at all, and no unit may vend within 600 feet of a school during school hours.
Dallas Mobile Food Vending Zone Rules
Significant RestrictionsDallas City Code Sec. 50-159
(a) A mobile food unit shall not occupy public or private property in the central business district for the purpose of serving, selling, or distributing any food or beverage unless the establishment is operating under the authority of and in compliance with: (1) a valid CBD concession license issued under this article; and (2) a valid mobile food unit permit issued by the Department of State He...
Sidewalk & Mobile Vending
Selling goods or services on public or private property in downtown Dallas requires a Central Business District concession license from the city's Consumer Health Division, with a separate license for each vending site. Public-property sites cost $600 a year; private-property sites cost $150.
Dallas Street Vendors Need a CBD Concession License
Some RestrictionsDallas City Code § 50-162 (Central Business District Concession License)
The director may issue a central business district (CBD) concession license to enable the holder and the holder's agents to conduct business as street vendors on public or private property in the central business district. ... A separate CBD concession license is required for each vending location site from which a person wishes to conduct business as a street vendor on public or private proper...
Looking for Dallas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dallas city rules.
Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors in Dallas County →