Subject: Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles

Revised July 2025

Purpose: Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles (MFU’s) require an operational permit to operate in unincorporated Harris County. This includes those vehicles that operate in a fixed location or mobile from location to location. Mobile food vehicle permits shall be renewed on an annual basis or if the vehicle has any change from the approved inspection.

Fees: $240.00 Annually

          $120.00 Re-Inspection

Requirements: Each Mobile Food Preparation Vehicle permit will be issued once an application has been completed appropriately, all applicable documents have been uploaded, and an annual fire and life safety inspection has been successfully passed. Each mobile food preparation vehicle shall be allowed one inspection, should the inspection fail the reinspection fee shall be paid prior to any follow up inspections.

Applications will be completed electronically, and all required documentation shall be uploaded electronically. There shall be no paper submissions for event permits. Permit application shall be completed and submitted through the approved Harris County software program. Once the application is received along with all required documentation, the Fire Code Official will conduct a review, and will schedule an inspection for when the mobile food preparation vehicle is onsite at Harris County Public Health. When the permit process is complete, and authorization is given, the applicant will be notified that the permit is issued, and the duration of the permit will be indicated.

All mobile food preparation vehicle permit applications will begin with generalized information requirements located in the e-Permits system. All mobile food preparation vehicle shall be paid for and inspected within 30 days of approved documents. Failure to complete the payment and inspection within 30 days will result in cancellation of the permit and the process will need to be restarted.

When applying for a mobile food preparation vehicle operational permit the applicant shall provide the following information:

• Valid Vehicle/trailer registration 

• Valid vehicle registration for tow vehicle if trailer 

• Owners current picture ID:

  •  Texas Driver’s License (TXDL)

  • Government issued identification

  • All drivers of vehicle must have a valid Texas Driver’s License

• Copies of all fire protection systems maintenance, testing 

• Copy of current gas test for all gas appliances 

• Copy of vent hood cleaning receipt (within a 6-month time frame) 

• Vent hood extinguishing system inspection (within a 6-month time frame)

• A State of Texas sales tax permit taxpayers ID

• State Fire Marshal’s form SF-205 (for new Extinguishing system installations)

• Satellite image of MFU’s working location (if not a mobile event MFU)

If one or more of the requested documents does not apply to your location, please submit in writing a reason for not submitting.

After providing the above information the permit is subject to a field inspection by a HCFMO inspector.

Denial: If it is determined that an application fails to meet the requirements as set forth in this standard or the applicant refuses to provide all required documentation, the fire code official shall not issue a permit, but shall return the application to the applicant with explanation for refusal.

Revocation: The fire code official is authorized to revoke a permit where it is found that there has been false statements or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or supporting documentation on which the approval and issuance was based, the permit was issued to a different person or firm than named on the permit, the permittee failed, refused or neglected to comply with orders or notices duly served in accordance with the provisions of this code within the time provided therein, or the permit was issued in error or in violation of an ordinance, regulation or this code.