Consumer Health

Consumer Health Division

Mobile Food Permits

A mobile food unit is a vehicle-mounted, self or otherwise propelled, self-contained food service operation designed to be readily movable (including catering trucks, trailers, and pushcarts) and used to store, prepare, display, serve, or sell food to an ultimate consumer.

 Mobile permitting inspections are not conducted at the Consumer Health office.  The permitting inspection will be scheduled at the mobile food units assigned commissary or vending location and will be conducted on Thursday's from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Permitting Process 

When applying for a mobile health permit all customers must make an appointment via the online calendar to start the process. 

  • Customers must upload supporting documents when scheduling appointment. 

  • Failure to provide all required documents will result in the appointment request being cancelled and customer will need to schedule a new appointment. 

  • For a list of required documents, please see list below.

All fees must be paid on the day of the appointment.  Fees may be paid by:

  • Check or money order made out to City of Dallas – Consumer Health

  • Credit/Debit card

  • We do not accept cash.

Please follow link to schedule an appointment: https://appointments.dallascityhall.com



 For additional information, contact the Consumer Health Division from 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm at (214) 670-8083.

Types of Mobile Food Units

​Mobile Food Preparation Vehicle and Enclosed Trailer

Mobile food preparation vehicles and trailers are divided into two categories, Class III & Class IV units.

Class IV units are motorized units that are fully enclosed that meet all the safety equipment and standards as a brick and mortar unit.  This class includes a restaurant on wheels or a mobile food preparation vehicle.

Class III units are a mobile food preparation trailer that may cook in an external covered area such as a barbeque pit or wood fired pizza ovens, where all food preparation, assembly, and service is done in an enclosed area on board the unit.  This class includes a non-motorized mobile food unit that is readily movable such as a trailer or shipping container.

***All Class III and IV mobile food units must be commercially-manufactured and comply with construction and operational standards to be eligible to receive an annual mobile food permit.***

Mobile Food Prep Vehicle Guidelines


Mobile Food Prep Plan Review


Mobile Food Application

CCS-FRM-486 Mobile Application.png

Affidavit of Authenticity

 

​Notarized Commissary Approval Form


Food Service Manager Certificate

Registered Food Service Manager Application.jpg

To submit an application, the following are needed: 

Brand New Truck/Trailer or Change of Owner

  • Must submit 2 sets of blueprints & equipment specification sheets

  • Affidavit of Authenticity

  • Current Drivers License

  • Proof of 6-months Liability Insurance

  • Written Agreement of the property owner where vending including restroom access

  • Notarized Commissary Approval Form - commissary visits are required daily

  • Registered Food Service Manager Certificate

  • Low propane gas permit (if used).  Contact the Dallas Fire Department Inspection Unit at (214) 670-4319 for permitting appointment

  • License plate Vehicle VIN Number

  • Photo of the Vehicle

  • Mobile Application Fee $481.00

  • Permit Fee $185.00

  • Plan Review $562.00

Annual Renewal of Existing Truck/ Trailer

  • Current Drivers License

  • Proof Of 6-months Liability Insurance

  • Written Agreement of the property owner where vending including restroom access

  • Notarized Commissary Approval Form -

    commissary visits are required daily 

  • Registered Food Service Manager Certificate

  • Low propane gas permit (if used).  Contact Dallas Fire Department Inspection Unit at (214) 670-4319 for permitting appointment

  • License plate Vehicle VIN Number

  • Photo of the Vehicle

  • Annual Permit Fee $185.00

                    

 

Class I & Class II Mobile Food Units

Class I units are mobile food units that only serve prepackaged food items or whole uncut produce items.

Class II units are  mobile food units that serve unpackaged precooked food items that require minimal assembly on the unit.  

***A plan review may be required depending on the menu served.  All menus must be pre-approved.***

​

​Grocery Truck Guidelines

 

Produce Vehicle Guidelines


Lunch Truck Guidelines


Mobile Food Applications

CCS-FRM-486 Mobile Application.png

Notarized Commissary Approval Form

 

 

For Grocery or Produce Vehicles​

To submit an application, the following are needed: 

  • Current drivers License

  • 6- Months of Liability Insurance

  • License Plate Number

  • Vehicle VIN Number

  • Photo of the Vehicle

  • Mobile Application Fee $121.00

  • Permit Fee $300.00 per year


​For Lunch Trucks

To submit an application, the following are needed:

  • Current Drivers License

  • Proof of 6-months liability insurance

  • License Plate Number

  • Vehicle Vin Number

  • Photo of the Vehicle

  • Low propane gas permit (if used).  Contact Dallas Fire Department Inspection Unit at (214) 670-4319 for permitting appointment

  • Notarized Commissary Approval Form 

    - commissary visits are required daily 

  • Mobile Application Fee $121.00

  • Permit Fee $300.00

 

​Catering  & Ice Cream Vehicles

Catering Truck Guidelines


Mobile Food Application 

​CCS-FRM-486 Mobile Application.png

Notarized Commissary Approval Form



Ice Cream Truck Guidelines


Mobile Food Application

CCS-FRM-486 Mobile Application.png

Notarized Commissary Approval Form


For ​Catering Trucks

To submit an application, the following are needed:

  • Current Drivers License

  • 6-months Liability Insurance

  • License plate Number

  • Vehicle VIN Number

  • Photo of the Vehicle

  • Notarized Commissary Approval Form 

    - commissary visits are required daily 

  • Mobile Application Fee $121.00

  • Permit Fee $125.00


​For Ice Cream Trucks

To submit an application, the following are needed:

  • Current Drivers License

  • 6-months Liability Insurance

  • License plate Number

  • Vehicle VIN Number

  • Photo of the Vehicle

  • Notarized Commissary Approval Form 

    - commissary visits are required daily 

  • Mobile Application Fee $121.00

  • Permit Fee $300.00


 

​Pushcarts with Open Food Service (Pre-Approved Menu)

Pushcart Guidelines (Open Foods)


Mobile Food Application

CCS-FRM-486 Mobile Application.png

Notarized Commissary Approval Form



To submit an application, the following are needed:

  • Current government-issued picture ID

  • Food Handler Card (see TX Dept. of Health Services)

  • Low propane gas permit (if used).  Contact the Dallas Fire Department Inspection Unit at (214) 670-4319 for permitting appointment.

  • Notarized Commissary Approval Form 

    - commissary visits are required daily 

  • Notarized letter from the property owner (If vending will be conducted at a location different from commissary)

  • Mobile Application Fee $121.00

  • List of menu items

  • Photo of the Pushcart

  • Permit Fee $240.00

                             

 

Prepackaged Pushcart

Prepackaged Pushcart Guidelines


Mobile Food Application

CCS-FRM-486 Mobile Application.png

Notarized Commissary Approval Form


To submit an application, the following are needed:

  • Current government-issued picture ID

  • Notarized Commissary Approval Form 

    - commissary visits are required daily

  • Photo of the Pushcart

  • Mobile Application Fee $121.00

  • Permit Fee $300.00