Environmental Public Health Division

Temporary Food Permits  

What are temporary food service establishments?

Temporary food service establishments are food booths which are associated with a particular event for no longer than 14 days. Temporary food establishments include any food booth in which food and/or drink is prepared and/or served.

What is the purpose of permitting and inspecting temporary food establishments?

The permitting and inspection program's primary goal is to protect the public's health. To accomplish this, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) wants to insure that all temporary food service establishments:

• are properly constructed and equipped
• prepare, store and serve food and/or drink in a manner that minimizes opportunities for contamination.

Will my temporary food booth be inspected ?

Yes. Both non-profit and profit temporary food establishments will be inspected by a Harris County Environmental Health Specialist at least once during the event. Of major concern to the inspector will be cleanliness, food storage arrangements, personal hygienic practices and proper food temperatures. Violations concerning these areas will be expected to be corrected immediately. Feel free to ask the inspector questions. The inspector is there to assist you in providing safe, sanitary food to the public. Refer to the handout, “Sanitation Guidelines for Temporary Food Vendors.”

Must temporary food service establishments purchase a permit to operate?

Yes. Temporary food service establishments that are located in areas under the HCPHES’ jurisdiction must obtain a temporary health permit to operate.

• All establishments that serve food and/or drinks and/or scoop ice must purchase a permit.
• A permit issued to a permanent establishment will only cover a temporary booth at that same address if the booth is owned by that same person.
• A separate temporary health permit is required for every food booth at any given event.

If a food vendor is operating more than one food booth, how many permits must he/she purchase?

• A permit must be purchased for each food booth.

What are the exemptions to the temporary food establishment permit?

• Booths that sell only pre-packaged, non-potentially hazardous food (candy, chips, frozen novelties) or unopened, canned or bottled drinks are exempted from the temporary permit requirement .
• Non-profit temporary establishments that provide proof of their non-profit status (Tax Form 501C3) are also exempt, as long as all proceeds go to the charity. A non-profit, temporary food service establishment is defined as a booth which is operated directly by members of the charity organization; all proceeds go to the charity. A food booth which donates a portion of its proceeds to a charity would not be considered a non-profit temporary establishment.

How much does a temporary food permit cost?

The cost of a temporary food permit is $50.00, provided that it is purchased at least 2 full calendar days prior to the beginning of the event. Failure to purchase a temporary permit at least 2 full calendar days prior to the beginning of the temporary event will result in a fee of $100.00

How do I obtain a temporary food permit?

Anyone who plans to operate a temporary food establishment should contact the Consumer Health Section of HCPHES prior to the event. A list of sanitation guidelines and an operations questionnaire will be sent/given to you. You will save money if you purchase your permit at least 2 full calendar days prior to the event.

You may purchase a permit in several ways:

• IN PERSON –You may purchase the permit at the Consumer Health Office

  Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services
  2223 W. Loop S., Suite 529
  Houston , Texas 77027
  M-F, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

• BY MAIL - Requests for a permit application to be mailed to you must be made AT LEAST FIVE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT. The permit application, permit fee and operations questionnaire must be returned to the Consumer Health office NO LATER THAN FOUR WEEKS PRIOR TO THE EVENT. Permits purchased later than four weeks prior to the event must be obtained from the Consumer Health office, and must be paid for with cash, money order, or cashier’s check. You may request to purchase a permit through the mail by calling our office at (713) 439-6270 .

• ONLINE – go to www.hcphes.org. Fill out the operational statement and send it back to the Consumer Health website for approval within 3 weeks of the event. Upon approval to operate the temporary food booth, you may purchase the permit online by means of a charge card or an e-check. Payment must be made within 14 days of the start of the event. Or you may send a personal or business check to the Consumer Health office no later than 4 weeks prior to the beginning of the event. Payment made within 4 weeks of the event may be made in person by cash, cashier’s check or money order at the Consumer Health office.

• ONSITE - The permit should be purchased prior to the event. Late temporary permits may be purchased at the event with a money order or cashier’s check if the booth is in compliance with health code standards, but at twice the fee ($100) charged at the Consumer Health office. Food booths operating without a valid and current permit may be asked to close if the operation poses a health hazard or if the permit is not purchased on site. Money orders and cashier’s checks ONLY will be accepted at the event site. Inspectors will not collect cash at the temporary event site.  

What happens if my food booth does not comply with the requirements for a temporary food establishment or if I refuse to buy a temporary permit?

You will be asked to cease all food operations. Continuation of operations will result in an appeal to the Harris County Sheriff's Department for assistance.