Who needs a retail food establishment permit in Texas?
Issued by Texas DSHS where there is no local health department; otherwise the city or county health department (Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio run their own), at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.
Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first. A 2025 Dallas memo moves city permits to the state income-based structure.
Checked Oct 15, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Texas DSHS where there is no local health department; otherwise the city or county health department (Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio run their own).
Sources and dates
Texas DSHS retail food establishment permits page; City of Dallas retail food fee schedule 2025 (on the DSHS local ordinance registry). Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
Yes. Apply after the certificate of occupancy and before opening; an inspection comes first.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
No. In Texas it is listed for coffee shops, bakeries, restaurants, pizza shops, bars, wine bars and 3 more.
Texas DSHS where there is no local health department; otherwise the city or county health department (Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio run their own).
Step 4 of 6, get the permits for your kind of business. The steps before it: set up the business, register for tax and approve the space.
Who needs a retail food establishment permit in Texas? | DoorWorthy
