Mobile Food Units (For this information in Spanish click here.)
General Information:
Definition:
A mobile food unit is defined by the Houston Food Ordinance as “a food service establishment that is vehicle-mounted or wheeled and is capable of being readily moveable.” A trailer without wheels would not be considered a mobile unit and is therefore ineligible for a medallion.
Mobile Food Unit Classification:
Mobile food units are classified in the following ways:
“Unrestricted” vs. “Restricted” (refers to the type of food service).
A restricted mobile food unit is one that serves only foods that were prepared and packaged in individual servings at an approved commissary and kept at required temperatures on the unit until served. Non-potentially hazardous beverages (coffee, tea) from protected equipment or pasteurized, individually packaged milk products can also be served from a restricted unit. Examples of restricted units are ice cream trucks, push carts, and cold trucks, which serve packaged sandwiches and burritos. The requirements for obtaining a medallion for a restricted unit are fewer than in the case of an unrestricted unit.
An unrestricted unit serves food prepared or portioned on the unit.
Examples of this type of unit are mobile taco stands, barbeque trucks or trailers, mobile snow cone stands, and catering trucks.
“Conventional” vs. “Fixed Location” (refers to whether the unit can operate at multiple locations or must operate on the premises of one food establishment for the life of the account.)
A “conventional” mobile food unit may operate at one  location or multiple locations and may change a location by bringing restroom availability and property owner permission letters to the health department 48 hours before relocating. This type of unit may also have a route, stopping at several businesses or construction sites. A conventional mobile food unit must be taken to an approved commissary daily to be serviced.
A fixed location mobile food unit must operate at one food establishment only, and that food establishment serves as the unit’s commissary. The unit must meet certain size requirements (4’x8’x8’) and must be stored inside the food establishment when the unit is not operating. An example of this type of unit is a hot-dog cart.
Mobile Food Unit Regulation:
Mobile Food Units are food service establishments regulated under the Houston Food Ordinance. Section 20-22 of the Ordinance deals specifically with Mobile Food Units and Mobile Food Unit Commissaries.
The Bureau of Consumer Health Services is responsible for enforcing the Houston Food Ordinance with respect to mobile food units.
How to open a mobile food unit business in Houston:
STEPS:
- Determine whether plans are needed (if not, go to step 4)
- If plans are needed, submit to 8000 N Stadium Dr, 2nd floor.
- Construct unit according to approved plans
- Take unit to 7411 Park Place for inspection
Below you will find information and advice relating to each of these steps. By following this advice, you will save time and money on plan submission and inspections. You will also help the Bureau of Consumer Health Services serve you better.
1. Are plans needed?
New unrestricted unit (conventional or fixed location)? YES
Unit approved in a city other than Houston or by a county health department? YES
Unit approved in Houston by a previous owner? NO, unless you remodel
Remodeled unrestricted unit? YES
Restricted (packaged food) mobile food unit? NO
2. Submit plans
Submit 2 sets of plans to 8000 N Stadium Dr, between the hours of 8am and 4pm. The cost to submit is $35 for each submission. If the plans are missing important information, describe features inconsistent with the Houston Food Ordinance, or are not drawn properly, they may be rejected. In this case, you will be given a list of items that need to be changed. After making the required changes, the plans are resubmitted. You should obtain the checklist for mobile food unit plans and use it to assure the plans have all required information.
Click here to view the plans checklist for conventional units.
Click here to view the plans checklist for fixed location units.
When your plans have been reviewed, you will be notified at the phone number you provide us. Make sure you give us a good, legible phone number.
3. Construct unit according to approved plans.
The inspector will compare your unit to your approved plans, so do not ignore your plans once approved. Make sure the unit is constructed according to your plans.
4. Take unit to 7411 Park Place for inspection
Before taking your unit, make sure:
- you have all required documents
- unit is ready
To help prepare your unit for inspection, we have two checklists for you to use. Do not take your unit for an inspection without checking off all items on the list. This could save you $50 and several hours.
Click here to view documents checklist.
Click here to view unit checklist.
The inspection location is 7411 Park Place @ Telephone Rd, a few blocks South of 610 South Loop.
Inspection times are Tuesdays and Thursdays, between 7am and 10am. Units are inspected on a first-come, first-served basis. Units that arrive and are signed in before 10 am will be inspected. Upon arriving, the inspector will sign in all units that are already present. The owner must sign in units that arrive later.
Units line up in the driveway just East of the main parking lot. (Entrance is on Park Place)
In the case of units that use propane, a Houston Fire Department LP Gas inspector will also be present. Passing the LP Gas inspection is required in order to pass the Health Department inspection.
Bring a generator. You will be asked to demonstrate that lights, water pump and heater, and vent hood fans, work.
LP Gas Permit Requirements:
The Houston Fire Department requires LP Gas Permit for all restricted and unrestricted units that employ propane.
- The unit must be taken to a propane dealer licensed to perform inspections of equipment (this is an annual requirement). Tags will be placed on the gas equipment.
- The LP Gas permit must be paid for at the Fire Department office located at 3300 Main St. (Bring your driver license. In the case of units that will operate at one location, bring your property agreement letter. In the case of route trucks, bring your commissary letter/contract.) Cost is $260.00
- Take your unit to 7411 Park Place at 7am on a Tuesday or Thursday morning. Make sure your unit is in compliance with the requirements listed on the LP Gas Mobile Food Units Requirements Check List. Important: Bring your paid LP Gas permit application, your receipt from the gas company which inspected your equipment, and a site map showing streets adjacent to your operation location.
List of approved LP Gas inspection sites
Other information: Fire extinguisher minimum size is: 2A10BC
If you plan to deep-fry on the unit, provide a type K Extinguisher.
The extinguisher must have the inspection tag.
For questions concerning LP Gas inspections, contact the Fire Department at (713) 865-7101.
Renewing Your Medallion
Mobile Food Unit medallions are renewed at 7411 Park Place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7am-10am. Make sure to check off the items on the unit checklist and the documents checklist before taking your unit to renew. You are encouraged to take your unit two or three weeks before your unit’s medallion expires in case your unit fails the initial inspection. (Renewing a medallion last-minute could result in having to close your unit while you wait for the next inspection day in the case of a failed inspection.)
Unit checklist
Documents checklist
Summary of Mobile Food Unit Operational Requirements
Mobile Food Unit Forms:
Mobile Food Unit Hand-Outs:
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions: 
Q How can I get a permit/medallion for my mobile food unit?
A In the case of unrestricted units or restricted untis (packaged food), take unit to 7411 Park Place on a Tuesday or Thursday between the hours of 7am and 10am. Bring state sales tax permit and identification (driver’s license and proof of insurance if motor vehicle or trailer). Make sure your business name is on at least 2 sides of the unit in letters at least 3 inches tall.
Q Can I have my mobile food unit connected to water and sewer so I won’t have to take my unit to the commissary?
A No. Water, sewer, gas, permanently connected electrical or other permanently-
connected utility lines are prohibited in the case of mobile food units. The
building department of the City will not allow permanent structures that do not
conform to all building codes. All mobile food units must return to their
commissary once for each day of operation.
Q Can I have the wastewater tank pumped by a truck instead of taking my unit to
the commissary?
A No.
Q I would like to open a small snack/food stand without wheels. Can I get a permit
for this?
A Not unless your stand meets all applicable building codes.
Q When do I need plans for a mobile food unit?
A All unrestricted mobile food units which do not already have a medallion from the
Houston Health & Human Services Department, or which will be remodeled, are
required to have approved plans.
Q Where and when do I take the unit for an inspection?
A Mobile food unit inspections take place from 7am to 10am every Tuesday and
Thursday at 7411 Park Place at Telephone Rd. Generally, every unit which
arrives, and is signed in, before 10am will receive an inspection that day. Make
sure you have all required documents before going.
Q What should I bring for the inspection?
A In the case of Unrestricted Conventional Mobile Units (mobile restaurants),
click here. (link to “Steps To Opening Or Renewing An Unrestricted MFU” handout)
In the case of restricted (packaged food) units, bring: driver license and proof of
insurance if motor vehicle or trailer; and state sales tax permit.
Q Does the propane gas equipment on my unit have to be inspected every year?
A Yes. Take the unit to an approved dealer and bring the invoice to the Health
Department inspection along with the paid Fire Dept invoice for the LP Gas
permit. For a list of dealers licensed to do these inspections, click here.
Q Can I have a canopy or other roof by my unit?
A Only canopies which are part of the unit itself, and which are supported only by
the unit, are allowed.
Q How can I open a hot-dog cart or other food cart in Houston?
A Any mobile food unit that does not meet the requirements of an unrestricted
conventional mobile food unit, may receive a medallion if it meets the
requirements of a fixed-location mobile food unit. The food establishment
serving as the commissary for fixed-location units must be at the operation
location. The unit must be no bigger than 4 feet wide x 8 feet long x 8 feet
high. The unit must be non-motorized and must be stored in the on-site
commissary whenever the unit is not being operated. Other requirements
apply as well.
Q How can I change, or add to, operation locations?
A In the case of unrestricted conventional units, you must bring in the new
address(es), including street number(s) and name(s). Also bring property and
restroom letters for any locations where the unit will operate for more than 1
hour per day. This must be done at least 48 hours before the unit can operate
at any new location.
Fixed-location units must obtain a new medallion and, a commissary must
be approved at the new location, before the unit is allowed to operate there.
Restricted unit operators are not required to notify the Health Department
before changing or adding locations.
Q How much does the medallion cost?
A $310 per year, $200 electronic monitoring fee per year. Pre-operaational inpsections are $50 per inpsection.
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