Food Service Establishments

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A food service operation is any place where food is prepared and intended for individual portion service. This includes the site at which individual portions are provided for consumption on or off the premises and regardless of whether there is a charge for the food.

Food Service Establishments

Consumer Health Services performs inspections and permitting for food service establishments in Galveston County. The purpose of this program is to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission through food. The regulation "An Order Establishing the Permitting and Enforcement of State Law and State Rules for Food Service Establishments, Retail Food Stores, Mobile Food Vending Units, and Roadside Food Vendors" describes the requirements for obtaining a food service permit from the Health District.

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How to Prepare for a Successful Health Inspection
Food Safety Tips
Food Service Permit Application
Obtaining a Food Manufacturer's License through Texas Department of State Health Services
Texas Food Establishment Rules (Revised August 2021)
Food Service Establishment Policy (Revised January 2016)
Food Safety Education
The Importance of Handwashing

Food Service Establishments Permit Fees

PLEASE NOTE: An Additional 2% convenience fee will be charged for all credit card payments.

Risk Level	Fees	Inspection Frequency
High Risk	$375/year	Minimum 2 times per year
Medium Risk	$300/year	Minimum 2 times per year
Low Risk	$275/year	Minimum 1 time per year

To obtain a permit, follow the procedures outlined in "Opening a Food Establishment in Galveston County".

Mobile Food Service Operations

A mobile food service unit is a vehicle mounted food establishment designed to be readily movable. Permitting, Fees, and Inspections, Licensing, fees, and inspection frequency is determined by a risk assessment of the mobile unit operations.

Mobile Food Service Permit Fees

RISK LEVEL	FEES	INSPECTION FREQUENCY
High Risk	$375/year	Minimum 2 times per year
Medium Risk	$300/year	Minimum 2 times per year
Low Risk	$275/year	Minimum 1 time per year

To obtain a permit for a mobile unit, follow the procedures outlined in:
"Procedures for Obtaining a Foodservice Permit for a Mobile Unit".

Temporary Food Service Operations

A temporary food service operation is a food establishment that operates for no more than 14 consecutive days in conjunction with a single event or celebration.

Temp. Food Service Permitting, Fees, and Inspections

If a temporary food establishment is permitted at least two business day before an event, the fee will be $105 ($80 permit fee plus $25 administrative processing fee). Business and personal checks are NOT accepted as payment for temporary food permits.

If a temporary food establishment must be permitted on the day before or the day of the event, the fee will be $255 ($80 permit fee plus $25 administrative processing fee plus $150 expedited fee).

Non-profits will be responsible for paying the $25 administrative processing fee regardless of when the permit is processed and the expedited fee of $150 if permitted the day before or the day of the event.

Starting November 2, 2023, our fee schedule and processing time for temporary events will change to the following:

If your event is on:	Applications need to be submitted no later than 4:00pm Mon-Thurs and 1:00pm on friday
Monday	Thursday (before event)
Tuesday	Friday (before event)
Wednesday	Monday
Thursday	Tuesday
Friday	Wednesday
Saturday	Thursday (before event)
Sunday	Thursday (before event)

When obtaining a permit the following information must be provided:

Application for Temporary Food Permits
Temporary Organizers Agreement
Information for Temporary Food Booths
Food (including ingredients) Drinks Source/Vendor
Place of preparation
Cooking equipment
Transporting/Cold holding facilities
Holding equipment

An inspection will be performed by a Health District inspector during the event to ensure compliance.

Farmers Markets

A Farmers Market is an organized entity/operation, that primarily allows a group of farmers/producers to market and sell their farm produce and products in a specific location. These products would include:

fish or other aquatic species;
livestock, a livestock product, or a livestock by-product;
planting seed;
poultry, a poultry product, or a poultry by-product;
wildlife processed for food or by-products;
a product made from a listed product by a farmer or other producer who grew or processed the product; or
produce.

Vendors of these and other food products may operate within the Farmers Market if they are registered with the Market and are in compliance with appropriate food service regulations.

Farmers Market Permitting

Vendors of whole uncut fruit and vegetables and Cottage Food Vendors are not required to obtain a food service permit. Vendors registered with a Farmers Market to sell potentially hazardous goods (those products that require temperature control to maintain food safety) or other unpackaged food may operate with an annual temporary permit usable only within the confines of a farmer’s market. These vendors may operate only during the Market’s stated operating hours. The fee for a Farmer’s Market annual temporary permit is $100 per year in association with a Farmers Market. Farmer market permits are valid in any farmers market within Galveston County. These fees are not refundable.