Mobile Food Units
Attention mobile food unit operators
- Effective immediately, medallion inspections conducted at the Environmental Inspection Center (7427 Park Place Blvd Houston TX 77087) are subject to cancellation if the mobile food unit is under temporary closure. Temporary closures must be lifted in-field before medallion inspections can be conducted.
- Fire Inspection - Annual: The Information for MFU’s Annual Fire Inspection has changed. Use the first four pages to guide you (Self-assessment…) and if you need more details read the last three pages (Information…). The document is available in English and Spanish. El documento está disponible en Español e Inglés.
- Fire Inspection – Temporary: The Temporary permit is valid ONLY for the Event. The requirements are the same as the Annual Fire Inspection. Contact your Event Coordinator for the instructions.”
Common Mistakes in Mobile Food Inspections
Commercial Grade Equipment
- All appliances (e.g., refrigerators, freezers) must be commercial grade. The use of residential appliances is prohibited.
- Commercial equipment must be designated for its intended use, such as a display cooler for packaged bottles or non-TCS (Temperature Control for Safety) foods.
Notary Requirements
- A notary’s signature must be dated on the same day they notarize the document. The date on the notary certificate should match the date the signer appears before the notary, even if the document itself has a different date.
Lighting
- A minimum of 50-foot candles of lighting must be provided at all working surfaces.
Wastewater Vent
- The wastewater tank vent must terminate in a downward direction.
Restroom Requirements During Operating Hours
- A restroom letter must be provided from a business within 500 meters of the mobile food unit's operating location.
Documentation
- Provide physical copies of the following required documents:
- Mobile Food Unit (MFU) plans
- Vehicle insurance card
- Menu disclosure form
- List of location form
- Restroom letter
- Property letter
- Health 1-8 form
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) form
- Mobile Food Unit (MFU) plans
How to schedule your food truck inspection
- Online (faster): Schedule an appointment online or get the free QLess app (available for both iOS and Android). Join the line from anywhere, wait wherever you want, receive wait time updates, and get notified when it's your turn.
- Phone: 832-393-5100
- Text message: On Wednesdays and Thursdays, text "Food Truck" or "Foodtruck" to 626-313-4758.
Documents and forms
- Operating a Mobile Food Units in the City of Houston
- Mobile food unit required documents checklist with forms
- Mobile food unit plan review application
- For these and other documents, go to our documents search page.
- HFD Annual Fire Inspection for MFU’s
- HFD Inspección Anual de Bomberos para MFU’s
- Approved Commissary List