“It’s upwards of $3,000 a year” — one Houston food truck owner explains what’s changing.
HOUSTON — A new statewide permitting system for Texas food truck operators took effect Wednesday, eliminating the need for operators to pay separate permit fees in every city or county where they do business.
The change is expected to bring significant savings for food truck owners who operate across multiple jurisdictions.
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Under the new law, food truck operators now pay one fee to the state instead of paying different permit fees to each city or county where they sell food.
Previously, operators could pay between $300 and more than $1,000 for permit application and pre-licensing fees, depending on where they operated. They could also pay up to $500 for an inspection, depending on the type of food they prepared and sold.
Boot Shooters BBQ has been operating for six years and has had to pay for multiple permits and inspections because it serves customers in different locations.
Co-owner Damon Uherek said those costs became a major expense.
“Between all of the different jurisdictions we have, it’s upwards of $3,000 a year just for the permits,” he said.
He also questioned why operators had to navigate multiple permitting systems.
“The requirements are basically all the same, which kind of doesn’t make any sense,” he said.
The company is hopeful the new statewide system will bring relief.
The Texas Department of State Health Services says it plans to contract with local governments to continue much of the on-the-ground work, including inspections. The new system simplifies the permitting process for food truck operators while allowing local governments to continue conducting inspections.
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