Bureau of Consumer Health Services
We protect you through education and enforcement of local, state, and federal public health and environmental rules and standards as they relate to city-regulated waste, food safety, swimming pool safety, and ambulance services.
We also prevent foodborne illness, drownings and waterborne illnesses, and protect the environment against sanitary sewer overflow and other discharges.
Find Houston ordinances for food, pools, ambulance, special waste, and temporary food service.
Frequently Used Forms
EMS Permits
Get ambulance driver and private ambulance company permitting, decal and spot inspections, and learn about EMS program enforcement.
Food Manager and Food Handler Certification
The Houston Health Department's Food Manager and Food Handler Certificate classes prepare and certify individuals to become food service managers and handlers.
Food Permits
We carry out a city-wide program for food safety, to promote health, and to prevent food-borne disease through education, training and regulation. Our program is designed to work in partnership with the people who make the day-today decisions that determine food safety — the owners, operators and employees of all food service establishments.
Temporary Food Permits
A temporary food permit may be issued only if the temporary food service establishment is part of an "event" or "celebration." You may purchase up to 105 days of permits at the same location per calendar year.
Mobile Food Units
Scheduling your food truck inspection is now easier than ever. Our new, online appointment system lets you join the line from anywhere, wait wherever you want, receive wait time updates, and get notified when it's your turn.
Pool Permits
Our pool safety program works to eliminate dangerous situations that occur when pools and other aquatic facilities are not kept up to standard safety protocols.
Special Waste Permits
Our special waste program tracks waste, such as fat, oil and grease, from commercial and residential establishments. Monitoring these waste products ensures that our city’s environment is protected from pollutants that may harm individuals and ecosystems.
Payments
Pay fees associated with HHD programs and services.
CDC: Food Safety Updates
- Turkana Food Inc. Recall Flora Dried Apricots with Undeclared Sulfites on Product Labeling Because of Possible Health Risk
- Vita-Warehouse Corp. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut Allergen in ALDI Welby®, Berkley Jensen®, and VitaGlobe(TM) Vitamin B12 Gummy Products
- Vita-Warehouse Corp. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut Allergen in ALDI Welby®, Berkley Jensen®, and VitaGlobe(TM) Vitamin B12 Gummy Products
- Hofood99 Inc Recalls Enoki Mushroom Due to Possible Health Risk
- Bornstein Seafoods Inc Recalls Cooked & Peeled Ready-To-Eat Coldwater Shrimp Meat Because of Possible Health Risk
- Bornstein Seafoods Inc Recalls Cooked & Peeled Ready-To-Eat Coldwater Shrimp Meat Because of Possible Health Risk
- Bornstein Seafoods Inc Recalls Cooked & Peeled Ready-To-Eat Coldwater Shrimp Meat Because of Possible Health Risk
- P. East Trading Corp Distributors Issues Alert on Uneviscerated 'Salted Smoked Split Herring' Due to Potential Clostridium Botulinum Contamination
- August Egg Company Recalls Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk
- August Egg Company Recalls Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk