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Travis County, TX Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors: Food Truck Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permit required
Before commencing operations, § 247.016(a)
Issuing authority
Austin Public Health, as county Director
Permit term
One year from issuance
Transferable
No, void if transferred (§ 247.013)
Applies in
County and Austin's ETJ, not incorporated cities

Summary

Chapter 247 of the Travis County Code requires every mobile food unit and roadside vendor operating in the unincorporated county, including the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction, to hold a valid permit before starting operations. Austin Public Health, acting as the county's designated Director, issues, inspects, and can suspend or revoke that permit.

City-specific rules exist: Austin has its own food truck permits rules that differ from Travis County's county-level regulations. If you live in Austin, check the city-specific page instead.

Commencement of Operations. A Person shall not commence operations of or operate a Food Outlet within the County unless that Person has a valid, subsisting Permit issued pursuant to this Chapter. ... Applicability. This Chapter shall apply to all of the areas of the County (including areas in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality) except for the areas within the boundaries of the incorporated cities and towns of the County.

Full Breakdown

016(a) is direct: a person shall not commence operations of or operate a Food Outlet within the County unless that person has a valid, subsisting Permit issued pursuant to this Chapter. 002 to include catering trucks, trailers, push carts, and roadside vendors, is one of the outlet types this permit requirement covers, alongside restaurants and retail food stores. 005 spells out where that reach extends: the chapter applies to all areas of the county, including areas in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality, except for land inside the boundaries of the county's incorporated cities and towns.

That means a food truck parked in Austin's ETJ, land outside city limits but subject to some city control, still needs the county permit rather than an Austin one, while a truck operating inside Austin's city limits does not. 012 before it must be renewed. 013; a transferred permit is void as of the transfer date. 017 before operating. Fees are set by the fee schedule in Attachment A to the chapter and are waived from January 15 each year until the Auditor files its required annual statement with the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Violations & Fines

Operating a mobile food unit without a valid Chapter 247 permit, or failing to keep it posted in plain view, exposes the operator to suspension or revocation of the permit under 247.021, with a right to a hearing on denial, suspension, or revocation under 247.022. The Director enforces the chapter and Texas Food Establishment Rules requirements under 247.023, and can order re-inspection of any applicant found out of compliance before a permit issues or renews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do food trucks need a county permit in unincorporated Travis County?
Yes. Section 247.016(a) bars anyone from commencing or operating a Food Outlet, which includes mobile food units and roadside vendors, in the county without a valid, subsisting permit issued under Chapter 247. The permit must also be posted in plain view on the unit at all times.
Does the county permit apply inside Austin's extraterritorial jurisdiction?
Yes. Section 247.005 applies Chapter 247 to all areas of the county, including a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction, except land inside the boundaries of an incorporated city or town. A truck operating in Austin's ETJ needs the county food permit, not a city one.
Can a food truck permit be sold or transferred to a new owner?
No. Section 247.013 says a permit cannot be transferred from one person, location, or unit to another, and any attempted transfer makes the permit invalid as of that date. The new operator must apply for its own permit from Austin Public Health before starting service.
How long does a Travis County mobile food unit permit last?
One year from the date it is issued, under Section 247.012. The operator can renew a valid, subsisting permit before it expires, but a temporary food establishment permit for events of 14 days or fewer is not renewable and simply expires on its stated date.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Travis County

All Travis County rules

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