Comprehensive Guide to Starting a Pushcart Street Food Vendor Business in Texas, USA

This guide outlines the complete official process for operating a street snack vendor business using a pushcart (pushcart / mobile food cart) in Texas, USA.

It follows the same format and sequence as for "California" and "Florida," detailing for each step the handling agency, required documents, application website, time, fees, and inspection requirements.

This process is based on Texas law (Texas Food Establishment Rules, 25 TAC §228) and general requirements in major cities (Austin, Dallas, Houston).

🧭 I. Regulatory Structure Overview

In Texas, mobile food sales are jointly regulated by the following departments:

If operating in cities (such as Houston, Dallas, Austin), most permits must be handled through the city's health department.

🧾 II. Complete Process Steps (in Order of Handling)

1️⃣ Register Business Entity (Business Registration) Purpose: Establish a legal operating entity (sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation). Handling Agency: Texas Secretary of State (or register DBA through county clerk). Required Documents:

• Identification (driver's license/passport)
• Company articles or DBA application
• Business address Handling Website: 🔗 https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/index.shtml Time & Fees:
• Online processing: 1–3 business days
• Fees: LLC $300; DBA (assumed name registration) approx. $25

2️⃣ Apply for Federal EIN and Texas Sales Tax Number (EIN + Sales Tax Permit) Purpose: Obtain federal tax number and Texas sales tax collection permit. Handling Agencies:

• EIN → IRS
• Sales Tax Number → Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Required Documents:
• Business registration proof
• Business address and description of operations Handling Websites: EIN: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-ein Sales Tax: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/permit/ Time & Fees:
• EIN: Immediate
• Sales Tax: 3–5 business days
• Fees: Free

3️⃣ Food Safety Training and Manager Certificate (Food Manager / Food Handler) Purpose: Ensure owners and employees meet Texas food safety standards. Handling Agency: DSHS-approved training providers (e.g., ServSafe). Required Documents:

• Identification
• Course registration form Handling Websites: Official Description: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/food-handlers Food Manager Training: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/food-managers Time & Fees:
• Food Handler: Approx. 2-hour online course, $10–$20, valid for 2 years
• Food Manager: 1-day exam, $100–$150, valid for 5 years

4️⃣ Determine Commissary (Central Kitchen) Purpose: Pushcarts must return daily to an approved commissary for cleaning, storage, and wastewater disposal. Handling Agency: Restaurant or commercial kitchen approved by local health department. Required Documents:

• Commissary Letter of Agreement
• Copy of commissary permit Time & Fees:
• Signing takes days to weeks
• Rent: $300–$800/month

5️⃣ Apply for City Mobile Food Unit Permit (Mobile Food Unit Permit) Purpose: This is the most critical permit in Texas. Pushcarts need a local health department's Mobile Food Permit. Handling Agency: Varies by city:

• Houston → Houston Health Department
• Dallas → Consumer Health Division
• Austin → Austin Public Health Required Documents:
• Application form
• Commissary Letter
• Menu
• Food manager certificate
• Cart layout diagram and photos
• Water source and wastewater system description
• Propane (gas) manual (if applicable) Handling Website Examples: Houston: https://www.houstonhealth.org/permits/mobile-food-units Dallas: https://dallascityhall.com/departments/codecompliance/food-division Austin: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/mobile-food-vendors Time & Fees:
• Review and on-site inspection: Approx. 3–6 weeks
• Fees: $300–$600 (varies by city and cart type)
• Permit Validity: 1 year

6️⃣ Local Business License / Business Tax Registration (Local Business License) Purpose: City-required business registration for collecting business taxes. Handling Agency: City Clerk or County Tax Assessor. Required Documents:

• Business registration documents
• Tax number
• Commissary agreement
• Copy of mobile food permit Handling Website Examples: Houston: https://www.houstontx.gov/ Dallas: https://dallascityhall.com/ Austin: https://www.austintexas.gov/ Time & Fees:
• 3–10 business days
• Fees: $25–$100/year

7️⃣ Zoning and Vending Permit (Zoning & Vendor Location Permit) Purpose: Confirm cart placement is legal and does not affect traffic or pedestrian safety. Handling Agency: City Planning Department / Right-of-Way Division. Required Documents:

• Cart dimensions and floor plan
• Proof of insurance
• Copies of operating permits
• Location map Handling Website Examples: Dallas: https://dallascityhall.com/departments/sustainabledevelopment/ Houston: https://www.houstontx.gov/publicworks/ Austin: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/development-services Time & Fees:
• Approval: 2–4 weeks
• Fees: $50–$200

8️⃣ Fire Inspection (Fire Department Inspection) Purpose: Required if using gas stoves, generators, or heating equipment. Handling Agency: City Fire Marshal Office. Required Documents:

• Propane tank specifications
• Fire extinguisher proof
• Cart layout diagram
• Equipment list Time & Fees:
• Approx. 1–3 weeks
• Fees: $50–$150

9️⃣ Insurance (General Liability & Property) Purpose: Protect public and equipment safety. Many areas require at least $1,000,000 general liability insurance. Handling Agency: Commercial insurance company. Required Documents:

• Certificate of Insurance Time & Fees:
• Immediate
• $300–$1,000/year

🔟 Health Inspection and Opening Approval (Final Health Inspection & Opening) Purpose: On-site inspection by health inspector to confirm facilities meet Texas food safety standards. Handling Agency: Local health department. Required Documents:

• Copy of permit application
• Commissary contract
• Food manager certificate
• Cart equipment and operating procedures Time & Fees:
• Inspection appointment: Approx. 1–2 weeks
• Permit issued immediately upon passing

💵 Typical Startup Cost Estimate (First Year)

📍 Official Website Summary

✅ Practical Advice and Notes

• Pushcarts must return daily to the commissary for cleaning and replenishment.
• Vehicles must have: handwashing sink, wastewater tank (capacity 1.5 times the freshwater tank), refrigeration equipment.
• Prohibited: Supplying food directly from a private home kitchen.
• If operating in multiple cities, apply for separate Mobile Food Permits in each.
• For events or festivals, apply for an additional Temporary Event Permit.
• Recommended: Use Texas's official business information portal to check city requirements: 🔗 https://texas.gov/business