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 Code Compliance Services Consumer Health Division regulates food trucks under Dallas City Code Chapter 17, Article II. Annual permit fees are tiered: Class A (prepackaged) ~$380, Class B (limited prep) ~$520, Class C (full prep) ~$675. Each Mobile Food Establishment must operate from a Dallas-permitted commissary or commissary that has been verified by Dallas Consumer Health, with a current commissary agreement letter on file. The truck must pass a plan review and on-site inspection at 7901 Goforth Road before the permit is issued. Dallas City Code §17-7.4 prohibits operation within 100 feet of the entrance to any brick-and-mortar food establishment while that establishment is open, and requires written owner consent for any private property location. Vending on city right-of-way requires a separate Special Events / Sidewalk Vendor permit. Vendors must designate a Certified Food Manager and hold a Texas Sales Tax Permit.
Operating an unpermitted Mobile Food Establishment in Dallas is a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $2,000 per day under Texas Health & Safety Code §437.025. Violating the 100-ft buffer or operating without written property-owner consent carries city citations starting at $250. Use of an unapproved commissary results in permit suspension and potential food impoundment.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Dallas, TX
Dallas treats a vehicle as abandoned under Dallas City Code Chapter 28 and Texas Transportation Code §683 when left on public right-of-way more than 48 hours...
Dallas, TX
Dallas collects brush and bagged yard trimmings monthly through its brush/bulky trash program, with weekly garbage day also accepting bagged leaves. Brush pi...
Dallas, TX
Dallas enforces the federal Tobacco 21 minimum age and Texas SB 21 (2019), prohibiting all tobacco and vape sales to anyone under 21. Texas preempts local to...
Dallas, TX
Dallas Park & Recreation Department prohibits drone operation in city parks without an Aerial Activity Permit under Dallas City Code §32-7 and Park Board rul...
Dallas, TX
Dallas permits recreational drone flight under federal FAA rules with park restrictions. Pilots must register drones over 0.55 lbs ($5/3 years), pass TRUST, ...
Dallas, TX
Dallas enforces one of Texas's strictest juvenile curfews: minors under 17 banned from public places 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday-Thursday and 12:01 AM to 6:00...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Dallas County.
See how other cities in Dallas County handle food truck permits.
See how Dallas's food truck permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.