Texas Commissary Requirements at a Glance (BLUF)
Texas commissary kitchens cost $200 to $500 per month, the lowest range in the U.S. Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio sit at the low end; Austin runs $400-$700 because demand has outstripped supply since 2023. HB 2844 ends the state-level commissary requirement on July 1, 2026, but every major Texas city still requires a commissary agreement locally via the health department. You'll still need one to operate.
This guide covers what changes with HB 2844, which Texas cities still require commissary letters at permit application, where to look in each major market, and how to negotiate a fair rate.
What HB 2844 Actually Does on July 1, 2026
Texas's "Food Truck Freedom Bill" (HB 2844) creates a single statewide Mobile Food Vendor permit through the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and removes the state-level commissary requirement from the Texas Food Establishment Rules.
What that does NOT do:
- It does not preempt local commissary requirements. Cities and counties retain authority to require commissaries.
- It does not change anything for current operators with city or county permits that already include a commissary clause.
- It does not change county-level health permit requirements, which sit on top of the state license.
Practical reading: HB 2844 simplifies the state-level paperwork but the operator-on-the-ground commissary requirement stays in place in every Texas city with a food truck scene. Plan as if the requirement continues.
City-Level Requirements
Austin (Travis County)
Austin Public Health still requires a commissary agreement at every mobile food vendor permit application and renewal. The letter must include the commissary's name, license number, address, services provided, and operator access schedule.
- Typical monthly rent: $400 to $700
- Hourly prep access: $30 to $40
- Where to look: South Austin (around US-183), Manor area, East Austin warehouses. Several pod operators include commissary access for their tenants.
- Pro tip: Apply early. Austin commissary capacity tightened in 2023-2024 as new trucks entered the market faster than commissaries opened.
Houston (Harris County)
Houston Health Department requires a commissary agreement for all mobile food unit permit applications. The agreement must come from a commissary licensed in Harris County or a directly adjacent county.
- Typical monthly rent: $200 to $500
- Hourly prep access: $20 to $30
- Where to look: East End (industrial corridor near I-10), Sunny Side, Sharpstown. Several Houston food halls offer commissary tenancy.
- Pro tip: Houston has the deepest commissary supply in Texas. Get 4 quotes before signing.
Dallas (Dallas County)
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Dallas County Health and Human Services requires a commissary agreement at plan review and at every annual renewal. The agreement must be on file before the truck inspection is scheduled.
- Typical monthly rent: $300 to $550
- Hourly prep access: $25 to $35
- Where to look: Garland, Mesquite, Irving (immediately west of DFW). Downtown commissary supply is limited but growing.
San Antonio (Bexar County)
San Antonio Metro Health District requires a commissary agreement and inspects the operator's commissary location annually as part of the truck inspection cycle.
- Typical monthly rent: $200 to $450
- Hourly prep access: $20 to $30
- Where to look: South Side warehouses, near AT&T Center, Bandera/Highway 16 corridor.
Fort Worth, El Paso, Corpus Christi
Each requires a commissary agreement via the local health department. Costs and supply mirror San Antonio: roughly $200 to $450/month. El Paso supply is the tightest of the secondary Texas cities due to fewer commercial kitchens overall.
What Texas Health Departments Actually Want in the Letter
Across the four major counties (Travis, Harris, Dallas, Bexar), commissary agreement letters need to contain:
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How Texas Commissary Costs Affect Your Margins
A $300/month commissary in Texas is one of the cheapest fixed costs in the food truck stack. Spread across 12 events per month, that's $25 per event. Spread across 4 events, that's $75 per event.
The lever isn't usually the commissary cost itself; it's volume. Drive event count up, and a $300 commissary becomes a rounding error. The free PitStop profit calculator shows exactly how fixed-cost burden scales with event volume.
For the broader Texas permit picture (DSHS license, county health, sales tax permit, food handler cards), see Food Truck Permits in Texas. For city-specific permits, see Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Track Your Commissary Agreement With Your Permits
A commissary letter is one of 5 to 7 documents Texas operators carry. PitStop's permit tracker keeps them in one dashboard with email alerts at 30, 14, and 7 days before any expires. Free for the first 10 events per month.
*Last updated: May 2026. Texas commissary rules vary by city and county and may change with HB 2844 implementation. Always verify directly with your jurisdiction's health department. This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal advice.*