How to Apply for a Temporary Food Permit

APPLY BY EMAIL (RECOMMENDED)
There are 2 separate forms required for each Temporary Food permit. The application for a temporary food permit is completed by the applicant and the temporary food permit property owner/agent/event coordinator authorization form is completed by the property owner/agent/event coordinator. Both forms are available at https://www.houstonconsumer.org/services/permits/food-permits/temporary-food-permits.  Both forms are required and must be submitted together. If your application is for an event in a City of Houston Park or on other City of Houston property, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), the Mayor’s Office of Special Events (MOSE), or your event coordinator will provide a PARD or MOSE authorization form to you. Please email your completed application, the owner/agent/event coordinator authorization form, and any other required documents (photo id, copy of your Texas Sales and use tax id, food manager/handler certificate, etc.)  to CHS@houstontx.gov as an attached (not embedded) pdf file or files. Applications or other documents on cloud-based sites will not be accepted. Your application will be reviewed within 3 business days. If approved, an invoice will be emailed to you at the applicant address provided on the application. If your application is not approved it will be returned within 3 business days with a list of required revisions, missing documents, or additional details needed. When resubmitting a returned application please resubmit the entire application including the list of required revisions not just the revisions.

APPLY BY MAIL (NOT RECOMMENDED)
Alternately, this process may be completed by postal mail. There are 2 separate forms required for each Temporary Food permit. The application for a temporary food permit is completed by the applicant and the temporary food permit property owner/agent/event coordinator authorization form is completed by the property owner/agent/event coordinator. Both forms are available at https://www.houstonconsumer.org/services/permits/food-permits/temporary-food-permits.  Both forms are required and must be submitted together. If your application is for an event in a City of Houston Park or on other City of Houston property, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD), the Mayor’s Office of Special Events (MOSE), or your event coordinator will provide a PARD or MOSE authorization form to you.  Please mail your completed application, the owner/agent/event coordinator authorization form, any other required documents, (photo id, copy of your Texas Sales and use tax id, food manager/handler certificate, etc.)  and if desired full payment in the form of a cashier’s check or money order to the Post Office box provided on the application. If full payment is included with your application and your application is approved your permit will be postal mailed to the applicant address provided on the application within 3 business days. If payment is not included and your application is approved, an invoice will be emailed or postal mailed to you within 3 business days. If your application is not approved it will be returned to you by email or postal mail within 3 business days with a list of required corrections, revisions, missing documents, or additional details needed. If payment was included, your application and payment will be returned by postal mail within 3 business days. When resubmitting a returned application please resubmit the entire application including the list of required revisions not just the revisions.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN APPLYING FOR A TEMPORARY FOOD PERMIT

•  A temporary food permit may be issued only if the temporary food service establishment is part of an “event or celebration” as defined in §20-18 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances. §20-18 defines an event or celebration as a gathering of persons at a festival, bazaar, carnival, circus, public exhibition, or sporting event. Your booth/stand/table/truck/trailer absent any additional concurrent activities will not be approved.
   
• You may purchase up to 105 days of permits at the same location per calendar year.  Your application for a temporary food permit will not be approved beyond 105 days per year at the same location.
   
• Applications for temporary food permits must be received, approved, invoiced, and payment made at least 7 full calendar days before the first day of the permit not including the day payment is received or the first day of the permit to avoid a late payment fee of $64.32. 
   
• Fees paid for temporary food permits are not refundable under any circumstances.
   
•  A limited one-time raincheck is available for postponements and cancellations if HHD is notified at CHS@houstontx.gov before the permit start date and time. A $32.16 replacement permit fee will be charged. Additional conditions may apply.
   
• To resubmit an application that was returned to you, email the list of required corrections, your complete revised application, the owner/agent/coordinator authorization form, all required documents, and any additional details or explanations requested as an attached PDF file or files to CHS@houstontx.gov. 

Guidelines For Food Handling at Temporary Events

A permit is required for each physically separated booth, stand, tent, table, truck, or trailer.
If all operations within a stand, booth, tent, table, truck, or trailer are not under the supervision and control of the same person, then a separate permit is required for any portion of the activities within the stand or booth under the control of another person.

ITEM 1: Ice used for consumption must be from an approved source. Ice shall be held in bags until used and dispensed properly.

ITEM 2: Food contact surfaces of equipment shall be protected from contamination by consumers and other contaminating agents by using separating counters, tables, sneeze guards, etc. All equipment, including hot/cold food storage facilities, shall be adequate in number and capacity to provide food temperatures of time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) food of 41°F (05°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above at all times, except as otherwise allowed and must be of acceptable design and fabrication.

ITEM 3: Provide only single-service articles for customers’ use.

ITEM 4: Potable water from an approved source shall be made available in a temporary food establishment for food preparation, cleaning and sanitizing utensils and equipment, and for hand-washing. Water need not be under pressure but shall come from approved sources, which include commercially bottled drinking water, closed portable water containers, enclosed vehicular water tanks, on-premises water storage tanks, or piping, tubing or approved hoses connected to an approved source.

ITEM 4a: To prevent cross-contamination, kitchenware and food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be washed, rinsed, and sanitized at least every 4 hours or more frequently if necessary. Provide potable water for cleaning and sanitizing utensils. Provide a heating facility capable of producing hot water. When chemicals are used for sanitization, a test kit or other device that accurately measures the concentration of the solution in parts per million or milligrams per liter shall be provided and used.
Use three (3) containers for WASHING, RINSING & SANITIZING
e.g., plastic buckets, plastic food containers.
    

ITEM 4b: Hand-washing facilities shall include an insulated container with a spigot that can be turned on to allow potable, clean, warm water to flow. A wastewater container, soap, disposable towels, and a waste receptacle are required. Hand-washing facilities are not required if the only food items offered are commercially pre-packaged foods that are dispensed in their original containers. Hand-washing facilities are in addition to any available hand sanitizer. 
                    
ITEM 5: The storage of food in contact with water or ice is prohibited except that food in waterproof packaging may be stored in contact with continuously drained ice.

ITEM 6: Dispose of all liquid waste (wastewater) as sewage. Dispose of solid waste (garbage) in accordance with all applicable laws.

ITEM 7: Provide cleanable floors in food preparation and service areas e.g., concrete, wood, or asphalt. 

ITEM 8: Provide a ceiling in food preparation and service areas e.g., wood, canvas, or other material that protects the interior of the establishment from the weather and other contaminating agents.

ITEM 9: At all times, including while being stored, prepared, displayed, served, or transported, food shall be protected from potential contamination by all agents, including dust, insects, rodents, unclean equipment and utensils, unnecessary handling, coughs and sneezes, flooding, draining, and overhead leakage or overhead drippage from condensation. Foods for self-service shall be protected from consumer contamination by the use of packaging, sneeze guards, or other devices. TCS food (often referred to as potentially hazardous or perishable food) must be kept at proper temperatures to reduce the growth of microorganisms that can cause food borne illness. If you are not sure if a food is a TCS food, treat is as though it is. 

Protect food from contamination at all times:

•  Keep hot foods at 135° F or above and keep cold foods at 41° F or below.
• Wear an effective hair restraint e.g., ball cap or hair net. Hair spray or visors are not acceptable. 
• Wear gloves when handling non-packaged food.
• Provide sneeze guards for open foods at display areas. 
• All food, equipment, and paper products must be stored at least 6 inches above the floor. 
• Eating, drinking, or smoking is prohibited in the booth/stand.
• Provide a barrier such as tables or counters between the employee work area and the customers.
• Pets and other animals are prohibited in the booth/stand.

SERVE ONLY FOODS THAT ARE PREPARED OR OBTAINED FROM APPROVED COMMERCIAL SOURCES. FOOD PREPARED OR STORED AT YOUR RESIDENCE OR OTHER UNLICENSED LOCATION IS 
PROHIBITED. 

PREPARATION OF FOODS THAT REQUIRE A HACCP PLAN, A VARIANCE, A CONSUMER ADVISORY OR EXTENSIVE PREPARATION/HANDLING ARE PROHIBITED. 

The above is not inclusive of all requirements that may be applicable to your booth/stand. For more detailed information please go to  https://www.houstonconsumer.org/services/permits/food-permits and select “City of Houston Code of Ordinances” and go to Chapter 20 Article II Division 1 §20-17 thru §20-26.

The Health Officer may impose additional requirements to protect against health hazards related to the conduct of the temporary food establishment and may prohibit the sale/serving of some or all time/temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods.