Food vendors—Additional conditions for permits.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 40-269
in effectSec. 40-269. - Food vendors—Additional conditions for permits.
A food vendor's permit shall be further subject to the following conditions and may be suspended or revoked for failure to comply with any one of them:
(a) The permittee shall maintain the unit in good repair and keep it free from defects that may present a hazard to life or property.
(b) The permittee shall make the unit available for inspection by the director or the health officer or their representatives at any time while the unit is in operation. No notice prior to such an inspection shall be required.
(c) The permittee shall thoroughly clean the unit and drain and flush the liquid waste tanks each day the unit is operated.
(d) A food vendor applicant shall provide a description of all foods to be sold and the proposed hours of operation.
(e) The permittee must comply with all other applicable state and city rules and regulations specifically including all food or health-related ordinances of the city and all state and federal food labelling news. The unit itself and the permittee must meet all applicable requirements for the operation of mobile food units and food establishments as set out in chapter 20 of the City Code at all times.
(f) In addition to the marking requirements of chapter 20 of the City Code, each unit shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the permittee and the phone number of the Houston Health Department.
(g) The permittee shall serve, store, and display his food on or in the unit itself and shall not use, set up, or attach any crate, carton, rack, table, or other device to increase the selling or display capacity of his unit.
(h) The permittee shall not leave the unit unattended. If the unit is left unattended, it may be towed. The permittee shall then be liable for all reasonable towing and storage charges.
(i) The permittee shall not use the unit or allow anyone else to use the unit to sell, distribute, or give away any foods other than those stated in the application for the permit. The permittee is not authorized to and shall not sell any non-food items.
(j) The permittee shall keep the area within 25 feet of the unit clean and free of litter at all times. The litter receptacle on the unit shall be emptied regularly in other than a public receptacle. The litter receptacle shall be kept covered with a tight fitting lid when not in continuous use.
(k) The permittee shall not make any structural alteration of the unit without giving 30 days' advance written notice to the city.
(Ord. No. 91-1168, § 4, 8-14-91; Ord. No. 2015-820, § 34, 8-26-2015)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH40STSI_ARTXISISA_DIV2PE_S40-269FOVEDDCOPEFetched: 10/26/2026