Public Health in Action. Community at Heart.

The Consumer Health Division is committed to advancing ​public health in action, with the community consistently at the center of our mission. We promote healthy and vibrant communities through a comprehensive approach that combines education, proactive outreach, and science-based regulatory oversight.

Our division oversees critical public health programs, including the regulation of food service establishments, mosquito surveillance and abatement, and commercial swimming pool inspections. Each program is strategically designed to mitigate environmental and public health risks, enhance quality of life, and uphold safety standards across the city.

innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to service, we are helping make Dallas not only a healthier city, but a premier destination for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Safeguarding Dallas Through Public Health Action

Every day, the dedicated professionals of the Consumer Health Division work diligently, often behind the scenes, to safeguard the health and well-being of Dallas residents and visitors. From neighborhood food establishments to large-scale community events, our team of licensed sanitarians and public health experts serve on the front lines. They uphold rigorous standards in sanitation, safety, and disease prevention. Their efforts are essential to maintaining a resilient public health infrastructure that supports a cleaner, safer, and healthier Dallas.

Our division oversees critical public health programs, including ​the regulation of food service establishments, mosquito surveillance and abatement, and commercial swimming pool inspections. Each program is strategically designed to mitigate environmental and public health risks, enhance quality of life, and uphold safety standards across the city.

innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to service, we are helping make Dallas not only a healthier city, but a premier destination for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Safeguarding Dallas Through Public Health Action

• Services Provided

  • Temporary Food Establishment Permitting and Inspections
  • Foodborne Illness Investigations and Sampling
  • Central Business District Vending Inspections
  • Enforcement of City Ordinances and State Laws
  • Related to the sale and service of food and beverages
  • Emergency Response Operations
  • Grease Trap Overflows and Sanitation Issues
  • Mosquito-Borne Disease Surveillance and Response
  • Food Establishment Operations (Power Outages, Water Interruptions, Disasters)
  • Food Safety Training and Education
  • Restaurants / Food Handling
  • Smoking Ordinance Enforcement
    

  
  

• Type of Inspections

  • ​​Routine Inspections: Conducted in accordance with the food establishment’s risk classification to verify ongoing compliance with applicable food safety regulations and sanitation standards.
  • Follow-Up Inspections: Performed in response to prior violations, low inspection scores, or significant sanitation concerns requiring corrective action.
  • Complaint-Based Inspections: Initiated in response to consumer complaints involving general sanitation, unhygienic practices, suspected foodborne illness, or violations of the City's smoking ordinance.
  • Temporary Food Establishment Inspections: Coordinated with the City of Dallas Office of Special Events for public gatherings involving food service. Includes permit issuance, on-site inspections, and food safety guidance.​
    

• Restaurant Food Establishment Scores

  Inspection scores provide a snapshot in time of a food establishment's operational and sanitation conditions during the inspection. These scores are based on a weighted system that distinguishes between critical and non-critical violations, reflecting the potential risk to public health.
  
  Please note that repeated facility names may appear in cases where follow-up inspections are required or when multiple permitted operations exist within the same location (e.g., meat, seafood, or produce departments in a grocery store).
  ​
  If a restaurant is not listed, it may be due t​​o one of the following:​

  • A recent change in ownership
  • Ongoing remodeling or facility construction
  • Newly opened and pending initial inspection
    

  Score Interpretation Guide
  

  • 100–80: Meets Consumer Health Division standards
  • 79–70: Follow-up inspection required within 30 days
  • 69–60: Follow-up inspection required within 10 days
  • 59 and below: Follow-up inspection required within 24 hours

  Transparency to the Consumer
  ​Under City of Dallas Ordinance Sec. 17-10.2(b), all food establishments are required to provide a copy of their most recent health inspection report upon request to any customer or potential customer.
  
  To search for food establishment inspection scores within Dallas, visit:
  
  You can Search Restaurant Food Scores located in the City of Dallas.
  

• Food Establishment Permit Guidance

  ​​​​Food Establishment Permit Guidance
  
  Whether you are opening a new establishment or making changes to an existing one, it's important to follow the appropriate permitting process to ensure compliance with City of Dallas health regulations. Please review the two pathways below to determine which applies to your business.
  
  New or Remodeled Food Establishments
  
  If you are building a new food or drink establishment or remodeling an existing facility:
  Apply on DallasNow​​
  ​​​
  ​​Upload two identical sets of scaled plans, including:

  • ​Floor plan and equipment layout
  • Room finishes schedule
  • Location of sinks, hub drains, and floor drains

  Important: A new facility or one that is currently not in operation must receive formal approval before opening for business.
  
  Existing Facilities (Change of Ownership or Renovation)
  
  If you are acquiring or modifying an existing permitted facility, you must submit a new application to the Consumer Health Division. This applies when:
  

  • Ownership of the business is changing
  • The operation type is significantly altered (e.g., new menu or service model)
  • Renovations or remodeling of the space are planned

  All equipment and structures must meet current standards outlined in the City of Dallas Chapter 17 – Food Establishment Code.
  
  Reminder: Compliance with current code is required even if the facility was previously permitted under different ownership or design.
  
  If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact the Consumer Health Division at (214) 670-8083.​

  ​
  

• Complaints Concerning Restaurants

  To report a possible food-borne illness or unsanitary condition at a restaurant or other food-related establishment, contact the City of Dallas 3-1-1 Service Request System at (214) 670-3111 or visit www.dallascityhall.com to enter your service request. ​

• Roadside/Parking Lot Sales

  Vending on public property is prohibited except in the downtown Central Business District. Anyone selling goods (flowers, purses, shoes, etc.) on parking lots or along roadsides is doing so illegally. This type of activity is regulated by the Department of Code Compliance. ​
  

• City & State Codes

  
  ​​​Dallas City Code Chapter​​ 17 Food Establishments​
  Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Texas Food Establishment Rules