Since July 1, 2026, every mobile food vendor in Texas must hold a state DSHS license under HB 2844. A Brownsville or Cameron County health permit alone no longer covers a food truck.
HB 2844, signed May 26, 2025, moved mobile food vendor licensing from local health departments to the Texas Department of State Health Services, effective July 1, 2026. DSHS sets three risk tiers: Type I for non-TCS foods at $309, Type II for limited preparation at $618 plus a $400 pre-inspection, and Type III for full preparation such as taco trucks at $876 plus a $500 pre-inspection. Each vending vehicle needs its own license. Brownsville's Public Health Department still runs preliminary inspections and controls where units operate, and the Fire Marshal must sign off. Operators need a Certified Food Manager and food handler on site during all hours.
Operating without the DSHS license, fire approval, or an approved location draws citations from the police department and public health director under Sec. 22-152, fined per Sec. 1-13 for each offense.
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