MOBILE FOOD UNITS
For information specific to permitting a particular type of mobile food unit, click on link next to picture:
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Conventional Unrestricted Units includes enclosed trucks, trailers, buses with open foods.
Examples: mobile taquerias, barbecue trailers, snow-cone units, grilled chicken buses
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Conventional Restricted Units includes trucks, trailers, vans with packaged foods only prepared at an approved commissary
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Ice Cream Tricycles and Push Carts |
Ice cream tricycles and push carts (Individually-packaged ice cream)
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Unrestricted Fixed Location and Park Vendor Units |
Unrestricted fixed location and park vendor units such as hot dog and other open-foods carts
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Ice Cream Trucks and Vans |
Ice cream trucks and vans (Individually packaged frozen desserts)
Didn’t See your type of unit? Click Here
Mobile Food Unit Definitions:
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.”
Unrestricted: Open foods, requiring sinks
Restricted: Only packaged foods
Conventional: Enclosed unit that meets general requirements for mobile food units
Fixed Location/Park Vendor: Small open air cart which operates on the premises of one permitted food establishment that serves as its commissary or that operates at a city park.
Mobile Food Unit Regulations:
Waiver/variance requests ( See Sec 20-22 (i) Alternatives, Waivers )
Street and sidewalk ordinance (See Sec 40-8, 40-9)
Permit and Other Fees: Click here
Mobile Food Unit News:
Click here for recent changes to mobile food unit regulations, including useful tips.
Contact Us:
Mailing address: Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Consumer Health Services, P.O. Box 300008, Houston, TX 77230-0008.
832-393-4445 or 832-393-5100
Information packages may be printed from this website or obtained by going to one of two locations: 8000 N Stadium Dr 77054 (Medical Center area) or 7411 Park Place at Telephone Rd 77087 (Hobby Airport area)
To File A Complaint Against a Mobile Unit
www.houstontx.gov/health/Food/complaint.html
Please include the following in your complaint description:
- Nature of violation
- Name of unit, if name
- Address where you see the unit/activity
- Days and times we can find unit at that address or see the alleged violation
- If selling without a permit: Description of vehicle, including license plate, make, model and color.