Bureau of Consumer Health Services
Contact EMS Permits Food Handler Certs Food Permits Pool Permits Special Waste Permits Online Payments
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
- Penzeys Spices Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame Seeds in "Brady Street Cheese Sprinkle"
- Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate Issues Recall for Allergy Allert on Undeclared Peanuts in "Ginger Snap Milk Chocolate"
- Eagle Produce LLC Recalls Whole Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk
- Del Valle Import and Export, LLC, Recalls Ineligible Pork Chicharrones Product Imported From Honduras
- Safeway Fresh Foods Recalls Sunnyside Farms Organic Butternut Squash Because of Possible Health Risk
- Green Valley Foods Recalls Frozen Meat Pizza Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens
- TAMA Corporation Emite Un Alerta De Alergenos No Declarados: Trigo, Soya y Amarillo #5 En Las "Cachapas De Maiz Paisa"
- TAMA Corporation Issues Allergy Alert for Undeclared Wheat, Soy and Yellow #5 in "Cachapas de Maiz PAISA"
- Life Raft Treats has Expanded their Recalls of Ice Cream Products, Not Fried Chicken And Life Is Peachy, Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
- Kraft Heinz Issues Voluntary Recall of Select Kraft Singles American Processed Cheese Slices