Businesses that serve food or beverages to the public or provide child care services are required to obtain health permits as part of the Certificate of Occupancy application prior to opening for service to the public. Food or beverage businesses that do not operate out of a building are also required to obtain health permits prior to operating. Applications for the permit types below must be submitted a minimum of 10 days before the proposed date of operation.

The following files are in pdf file format and require Adobe Acrobat in order to be able to view them. Adobe Acrobat can be downloaded here.

Should you require additional information, please contact Health Services at 817-459-6693.

The following fees for City of Arlington permits and applications are effective as of October 1, 2023: 

Food Establishments
Permit Type	Current Fee	Permit Validity
Application Fee/Plan Review Fee	$500	Per Application
Change of Ownership Fee	$350	Per Application
High Priority Operating Permit Fee	$425	One year from date of Issuance
Medium Priority Operating Permit Fee	$325	One year from date of Issuance
Low Priority Operating Permit Fee	$300	One year from date of Issuance
Emergency Inspection Fee	$300	Per request
Commissary	$325	One year from date of Issuance
Reinstatement Fee	$125	Assess when annual renewal fee is not paid by due date
Reinspection Fee	$200	Per additional follow-up inspection
Service Charge for Permit Revision	$25	Per request
Seasonal Market Venue Permit	$200	Per Permit
HACCP/Variance Review Application Fee	$150	Per Permit
Food Establishments
(Fees For Food Establishments with Ten Or More Multiple Inventories in One Location Under One Ownership)
Permit Type	Current Fee	Permit Validity
Master Permit Fee - Low Priority	$240	One year from date of Issuance
Master Permit Fee -Medium Priority	$260	One year from date of Issuance
Master Permit Fee - High Priority	$340	One year from date of Issuance
Child Care Centers
Permit Type	Current Fee	Permit Validity
Application Fee/Plan Review Fee	$425	Per Application
Change of Ownership	$350	Per Application
Operating Permit Fee -With Food Service	$425	One year from date of Issuance
Operating Permit Fee -No Food Service	$275	One year from date of Issuance
Playground Inspection Fee (per playground at facility)	$50	Per playground at facility
Reinspection Fee	$200	Per reinspection
Reinstatement Fee	$125	Assess when annual renewal fee is not paid by due date
Service Charge for Permit Revision	$25	Per request
Child Care Worker's Permit (does not include fee for online training)	$20	Three years from date of issuance
Child Care Workers Training Course Instructor Certificate	$50	Five years from date of issuance
Hotel Inspection Fees
Hotel Plan Review	$475
Hotel Sanitation Inspection	$75 per room; with a minimum charge of $225
Reinspection Fee	$175
Hotel Verification Audit Fee
Up to 50 rooms	$75
51-100 rooms	$125
101-200 rooms	$250
201-300 rooms	$375
301 rooms and more	$500
Swimming Pools (Public and Semi-Private)
Permit Type	Current Fee	Permit Validity
Application Fee/Plan Review Fee	$300	Per Application
Seasonal Pool Operational Permit	$200	One Year
Year Round Pool  Operational Permit	$350	One Year
Pool Safety Inspections for Non-Operational Pools	$200	One Year
Reinstatement Fee	$75	Assessed when annual renewal fee is not paid by due date
Service Charge for Permit Revision	$10	Per request
Reinspection Fee	$150	Per additional follow-up inspection
Mobile and Temporaries
Permit Type	Current Fee	Permit Validity
Temporary Mobile Food Unit	$140 for First Day + $5 Per Additional Day	Per MFU per event
Catering Vehicle Permit Fee	$225	One year from date of issuance
Temporary for Profit Permit Fee	$140 for First Day + $5 Per Additional Day	Per booth, per event
Temporary Non-Profit Permit Fee	$100 for First Day + $5 Per Additional Day	Per booth, per event
Seasonal Market Permit Fee (15 to 180 days)	$200	Per booth, per venue
Expedited Permit Review Fee (Applying less than 10 days prior to event)	$25	Per vendor, per event
Farmers' Market Permit Fee	$100	One year from date of issuance
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
SFSP Organization Registration	$50	One year from date of issuance
SFSP Permit	$50	Per Site under Registration
On-Site Sewage System
Permit Type	Current Fee	Permit Validity
Installation Permit/Application	$250	Per Application
Repair Permit	$150	Per Application
Real Estate Inspection Fee	$125	Per Application
Vital Statistics
Permit Type	Current Fee	Permit Validity
Birth Certificates	$23	Per Request
Death Certificates -1st Copy with additional copies	$21 for 1st Copy and $4 for each additional copy	Per Request
Expedite Fee	$5	Per Request
Envelopes	$2	Each
Certified Mail	$7	Per Request

Temporary/Seasonal Food Establishment Permits

To apply for a Temporary or a Seasonal Food Establishment Permit, please apply at ArlingtonPermits.com.

Additional information can be found in the following documents.

• Guidelines for Temporary and Seasonal Food Establishments
• Quick Reference for Temporary Food Establishments

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

To provide prepared meals to children during school breaks as a Summer Food Service Program provider, your organization must register with the City of Arlington Health Division as a Summer Food Service Program Organization.

If you are interested in becoming a Summer Food Service provider, please visit the Texas Department of Agriculture Summer Meal website. 

Additional permitting information can be found in the following document.

• Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Info

To register your SFSP Organization and apply for permits at each SFSP site, please go to www.ArlingtonPermits.com.

Food Truck/Mobile Food Unit Permits

House Bill 2878 was passed by the 88th Texas State Legislature, shifting all permitting and inspection authority for mobile food vendors to Tarrant County Public Health. To read the bill for HB 2878, please click here.

As a result, effective September 1, 2023, the City of Arlington will no longer issue permits for mobile food vendors. Operators are still required to abide by all applicable city zoning and ordinance requirements. City Ordinances can be found by visiting City Code of Ordinances. For specific questions about zoning restrictions, contact Planning at 817-459-6502. For specific questions about fire code requirements, contact Fire Prevention at 817-459-5539.

For more information about obtaining a mobile vending permit, visit Tarrant County Inspections. To verify a mobile vendor's permit status, or file a complaint against a mobile food vendor please visit Tarrant County Public Health or call Tarrant County Public Health at 817-248-6299.

To look up mobile vendor inspections after September 1, 2023, please visit Tarrant County Public Health.

To apply for a Temporary Food Truck/Mobile Food Unit Permit please apply at ArlingtonPermits.com. Within Health Permits, you will choose Temporary Food Establishment Permits, choosing the Subtype Temporary Mobile Food Unit. For assistance, please call 817-459-6693.

For questions about Fire Department requirements, please call 817-459-5539.

Please see the following links for additional information about the Temporary Mobile Food Unit Permit and HB2878 Guidance Document.

• Temporary Mobile Food Unit
• House Bill 2878 Guidance Document

Catering Permit

To apply for a Commercial Catering Permit, please apply at ArlingtonPermits.com. Within Health Permits, you will choose Temporary Food Establishment Permits, choosing the Subtype Catering Truck. For assistance, please call 817-459-6693. Information and requirements are available by clicking here.

Ice Cream Trucks

To apply for an Ice Cream Truck Permit, please apply at ArlingtonPermits.com. Within Health Permits, you will choose Temporary Food Establishment Permits, choosing the Subtype Catering Truck. For assistance, please call 817-459-6693. Information and requirements are available by clicking here.

Stationary Pushcart

Stationary pushcart operations may be restricted by zoning regulations and are required to report back to the central preparation facility or commissary at the conclusion of every business day.

For more information about obtaining a stationary pushcart permit, visit Tarrant County Inspections. To verify a stationary pushcart's permit status, or file a complaint against a stationary pushcart vendor please visit Tarrant County Public Health or call Tarrant County Public Health at 817-248-6299.

Farmer's Markets

Foods produced in a residential kitchen may not be distributed to the public, unless qualifying under the Texas Cottage Food Law. All commercial kitchens must hold a current health permit.

A City of Arlington Temporary Food Establishment Permit is NOT REQUIRED when:

• Distributing only whole, uncut fruits and vegetables
• Distributing pre-packaged, non-potentially hazardous foods prepared in a health-permitted kitchen (current health permit or copy of most recent health inspection required).
  • All pre-packaged food product must be labeled with the producer's identifying information, ingredients and weight. Vendors may view labeling requirements at the FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations
  • A Food Manufacturer's license from the Food and Drug Licensing Group of the Texas Department of State Health Services may be required. Vendors may contact the State directly at 512-834-6626 or 6670. Or contact the local office of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Service Regions 2 & 3, located at 1301 S. Bowen Rd., Suite #200, Arlington, TX 76013, 817-264-4500. Or request information at email: [email protected]

NOTE: Sampling is considered an open food product and requires a City of Arlington Temporary Food Establishment Permit.

A City of Arlington Temporary Food Establishment Permit is REQUIRED when:

• Distributing any open or potentially hazardous/Time Control Sensitive foods. Samples are considered an open food product and require a permit.
  • Vendors may apply for a Temporary Food Establishment Permit at ArlingtonPermits.com.
  • Food safety guidelines for Temporary Food Establishments may be found in the Texas Food Establishment Rules under Subchapter H, "Requirements Applicable to Certain Establishments".
  • If vendors are preparing and packaging foods for distribution, then a Food Manufacturer license from the Food and Drug Licensing Group of the Texas Department of State Health Services may be required. Vendors may contact the State directly at 512-834-6626 or 6670. Or contact the local office of the Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Service Regions 2 & 3, located at 1301 S. Bowen Rd., Suite #200, Arlington, TX 76013, 817-264-4500. Or request information at email: [email protected]
  • To avoid late fees vendors must apply for the Temporary Food Establishment Permit at least 10 days prior to the first day of operation.

All wastewater, including water from hand wash stations or ice displays must be disposed of at a sanitary sewer location. Wastewater cannot be disposed of on the ground or in the storm drain.

Should you require additional information, please contact Health Services at 817-459-6693.

Cottage Food Production Operation

Cottage food production operations are regulated by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) under the Texas Administrative Code Rule 229.661. Please review the requirements and restrictions found under the DSHS website if you believe that your food business qualifies as a cottage food production operation.

To learn about setting up a cottage food production operation of your own, consider the online course provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, "Cooking Up a Cottage Food Business."

Additional information can be found on the Useful Links (Health) page in the side bar.