Brazoria County Food Establishment and Mobile Unit Permitting Process

A retail food permit is required prior to operation and if the ownership changes.  Retail food permits are non-transferrable.

Before purchasing a pre-existing building/ restaurant with the intent of food service it is best to ensure the building meets all current codes.  There is no “grandfathering clause”.

Any new construction located within Brazoria County but outside of city limits will need to contact the Brazoria County Engineering Department to schedule a Pre-Development Meeting, 979-864-1265.

To obtain a retail food permit within city limits please contact a food inspector for a consultation.  Consultations are conducted only on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  During the consultation a review of the rules and regulations will be discussed along with all required documents needed for permitting.

Permit fees will be due only after documents have been submitted, reviewed, approved and the establishment has passed inspection.

89^th Legislative Update

Update notification regarding changes from the SB 1008 for the 89^th Legislative Session that went into effect on September 1, 2025.  These will affect you as a Food Establishment Owner or Manager.  The county is in the process of implementing these changes which include various Permit Exemptions and Fee Schedule changes.

SB-1008 – This bill restricts Local Authorities from requiring permits that the State would not require in their jurisdiction. This bill also regulates permit fee schedules to the maximum the State would charge for the equivalent permit.

 Exemptions from Permitting – Organizations are exempt from permitting if they are:

• Licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a food manufacturer and paying a higher fee
• A non-profit registered as a 501 (C) organization

 We will no longer issue a retail food permit to non-profit’s including schools. We will offer a (voluntary) Food Inspection by Request at $150 each. These inspections will be conducted as a routine inspection. School’s may pay $300 annually for 2 Inspections by request.

 We will no longer permit Daycares, Group homes or any facilities regulated by Health and Human Services Commission as food establishments.

 We will still continue to offer Sanitation Inspections as normal. These inspections will be conducted as routine inspections as nothing has changed under Sanitation.

 Should you have any questions regarding this change, please contact us at EHStakeholders@brazoriacountytx.gov

All required documents must be submitted prior to the preliminary inspection.  Incomplete packets will not be scheduled for a preliminary inspection.

Required Documents to be submitted

Fixed Establishments:

1. Food Permit Application
2. Sanitation Application if required
3. Floor plan
4. New Construction Establishment required to submit Site Plan, Floor Plan, Equipment Schedule, Finish Schedule, Plumbing Schedule and grease trap specifications (FRP must be smooth, no pebbled, textured or embossed)
5. Water Utility Service Agreement completely filled out and signed by MUD representative or approved well  and septic information
6. OSSF Permit Number if required 
7. Grease trap required for existing establishments ( supporting documents to show grease trap capacity)
8. Public Water System ID if required (public water well)
9. Certified Food Manager Certificate
10. Fire Marshal Inspection                                                                                                       
11. State of Texas Sales Tax Permit Taxpayer ID number                                                                                                               This can be obtained at www.window.state.tx.us or 1-800-252-5555
12.  Copy of the Menu

Mobile Units:

Required Documents to be submitted 

1. Application for Mobile Unit
2. Title of Mobile Unit
3. Floor Plan of Mobile Unit (water & waste water tanks included)
4. Texas Driver’s License.
5. Approved water source/Notarized permission letter of water usage. 
6. Approved Waste Water discharge/Notarized permission letter or Pumping Contract.
7. Certified Food Manager Certificate
8. Fire Marshal Inspection, 979-864-1121
9. State of Texas Sales Tax Permit Taxpayer ID number                                                                                                             This can be obtained at www.window.state.tx.us or 1-800-252-5555
10. Copy of Menu
11. Copy of Insurance
12. Property Agreement if needed
13. Restroom Agreement if needed
14. City Approval for waste disposal if needed

*All Documents must be submitted together in person or by mail. Preliminary plan review documents (Site plan, Floor plan, equipment schedule, finish schedule, plumbing schedule and grease trap specifications) will be received electronically for new construction establishments only.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer