Where do I apply and pay necessary fees for a Mobile Permit?
Applications and fee payments for mobile food establishments both inside and outside the City (County of El Paso, Anthony, Vinton, Clint, Horizon and Socorro) can be handled at either the Food Inspection Program Desk at City Hall (#2 Civic Center Plaza, 5th Floor) or at the Tillman Health Center (222 South Campbell, Room 200.)
Can I operate my Mobile without a permit?
No. Separate permits are required to operate a food establishment within each political jurisdiction (City of El Paso, El Paso County, Anthony, Clint, Horizon City, Socorro and Vinton).
Can I let someone else take over my Mobile permit if I decide not to operate anymore?
Mobile establishment permits are non-transferable from person to person or mobile unit to mobile unit.
Can I prepare foods at home?
No. Food from home is not allowed in a mobile establishment.
Where can I store and prepare my food?
Only in an authorized Central Preparation Facility (CPF).
What is an authorized CPF?
A legally permitted food establishment, such as a restaurant, where water is obtained and waste water is disposed and food is kept, handled, prepared, packaged or stored.
Where can I obtain water for my mobile establishment?
Water must be obtained from an approved CPF. Waste water must be disposed via legal means at the CPF.
Can any food establishment, such as a restaurant, operate as a CPF?
A CPF must have an inspection rating of 85 or better within the past year. A notarized letter from a CPF is required with the application (blank CPF letters may be emailed to you or picked up at the counter).
Can I prepare any type of food in my Mobile?
Food with limited preparation (i.e. hot dogs, pre-packaged frozen hamburger patties, nachos, bratwurst, frying of tortillas/gordita shells/churros) and pre-washed ready-to-eat vegetables may be prepared in the mobile. Food with Extensive preparation (i.e. meats for enchiladas/tacos/ gorditas/burritos; rice, beans, marinating, etc.) must be prepared in a CPF permitted by the Department of Public Health.
Do I need to connect to a potable water source wherever I vend?
No. Water samples from the mobile must be submitted. One cold and one hot clean water sample at the week prior to inspection must be submitted to the Texas Dept. of State Health Services laboratory.
What are the fees for permit issuance?
City of El Paso – Mobile establishment Permit Fees
$105.00 Prepackaged Foods/$158.00 Exposed Foods
$47.00 Site Assessment Fee/$53.00 Application Processing
County of El Paso, et al - Mobile Permit Fees
$100.00 – Prepackaged Food/ $150.00 – Exposed Food
When do permits expire?
Permits are valid for one year after permitting and must be renewed annually.
Where can I conduct business as a Mobile Food Vendor?
Mobile food vendors can park in legal parking spaces on most streets, with some exceptions. You cannot park within two blocks from a school. Operating within the Downtown area and most city parks will require you to obtain a separate city permit.
Where can I get more information?
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Call: (915) 543-3645...
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...or click
here for more detailed requirements
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