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
Ambulance Permits
Get ambulance driver and private ambulance company permitting, decal and spot inspections, and learn about EMS program enforcement.

Food Manager and Handler Certificate
The Houston Health Department's Food Manager and Food Handler Certificate classes prepare and certify individuals to become food service managers and handlers.

Food Safety and Inspections
Changing ownership of a food establishment
Food manager and food handler certification
Frequently asked questions
Opening a food establishment
Mobile food units
Post-disaster food safety
Charitable feeding

Food Truck Inspections
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.

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.

Swimming Pool Permits
We help you to avoid dangerous situations that can arise when your pool or spa fails to meet standard safety protocols.

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.

CDC: Food Safety Updates
- J.T.M. Provisions Company Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Beef Chili Products Due To Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
- DEKA Trading Corp. Recalls Ineligible Ready-To-Eat Pork Rind Products Imported from Guatemala
- E.N.A. Meat Packing Inc. Recalls Frozen, Raw Lamb Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection
- Rudolph Foods Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Rudolph's OnYums "Onion Flavored Rings", 3 oz. Packages
- Tillamook Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat and Soy in Tillamook Waffle Cone Swirl Ice Cream Packaged in Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Carton
- Cricket Creek Farm Recalls Sophelise and Tobasi Cheeses Because of Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
- A.S.K. Foods Inc. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk In Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad
- T.W. Garner Food Company Issues Voluntary Recall on Texas Pete® Buffalo Wing Sauce Due to Undeclared Soy
- Flowers Foods Issues Voluntary Recall on Tastykake Chocolate Kandy Kakes Due to Undeclared Peanuts
- Meijer Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Milk in Frederik's Dark Chocolate Almonds and Meijer Express Go Cup Dark Chocolate