Ector County Health Department (Odessa); the City of Odessa (Billing & Collections) issues the operating permit for establishments and mobile units inside Odessa city limits · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Ector County food-facility health permits run about $258–$773 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Ector County Health Department (Odessa); the City of Odessa (Billing & Collections) issues the operating permit for establishments and mobile units inside Odessa city limits before you budget.
Confirm the authority for your exact address. Some cities run their own health division, and building, planning, fire, sewer/grease and business-license approvals are separate even when Ector County Health Department (Odessa); the City of Odessa (Billing & Collections) issues the operating permit for establishments and mobile units inside Odessa city limits issues the health permit.
About 307 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 164,494. (U.S. Census 2023 estimate; County Business Patterns 2022, NAICS 722)
Last verified: 2026-08-17 — we re-confirmed the serving authority, its contact, and that the fees below match the current published schedule. Fee schedules may carry an earlier effective date (shown per fee); local ordinances & amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date? Report an update →
Restaurant / food-facility permit
Food (Health) Permit - tiered by gross annual food sales
$258 ($0-$49,999.99) / $515 ($50,000-$149,999.99) / $773 ($150,000+), new tiered schedule aligned to the state (DSHS/SB 1008 biennial cap) effective Jan 1, 2026
Replaced a decade-old employee-count schedule ($140-$600/yr); Permit valid Jan 1-Dec 31; payments after Jan 31 are charged a double fee; Ector County does not charge re-inspection/follow-up fees; Businesses may submit income documentation to qualify for a lower tier
Plan review — required
Ector County does not publish a separate plan review fee
plan submission and a pre-opening inspection (e.g., required air gaps before authorization to operate) are part of the permitting process
County permit valid only outside city limits; a central preparation facility/commissary is required; City permit paid via MGO Connect; Effective July 1, 2026, Texas HB 2844 shifts mobile food unit permitting to a statewide DSHS permit
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Ector County’s permit cost compares
At about $258/year, Ector County’s restaurant health permit is about the Texas median ($258) and above the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 91% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 77th-lowest of 247 Texas counties by permit cost.
Comparison uses the lowest published annual restaurant-permit figure in each county; confirm your exact tier with the department.
Local food-service market
About 307 food & drinking establishments serve ~164,494 residents in Ector County — one per ~536 residents, denser than the Texas average (one per ~566).
U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).
Budget the permit stack
Start with ~$258 annual health permit.
Plus building, fire, and business-license fees that vary locally — use the cost calculators and the checklist below to budget the full stack.
Watch out for
Two-layer permitting: the Ector County Health Department issues the health permit, while the City of Odessa (Billing & Collections) issues the operating permit for establishments and mobile units inside Odessa city limits
In 2025 Ector County replaced its decade-old employee-count fee schedule with gross-annual-sales tiers ($258 / $515 / $773) 'in line with the state,' effective Jan 1, 2026
Ector County does not charge re-inspection or follow-up fees even though state law allows it
Effective July 1, 2026, Texas HB 2844 moves mobile food unit permitting to a statewide DSHS program
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Temporary / seasonal event
Temporary (one-time) food permit $60; Seasonal food permit (covers up to 6 separate uses per year) $100; source https://www.ectorcountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/624/Frequently-Asked-Questions-PDF
From the Ector County Health Department FAQ; these figures predate the 2026 gross-annual-sales fee restructure and should be confirmed with the department
Pushcart / mobile vending
Ector County Mobile Food Vendor $150; Snow-Cone/Coffee stand $100 (county permit, valid only outside Odessa city limits); source https://newtools.cira.state.tx.us/upload/page/7889/docs/Health/Food%20Service/New%20Mobile%20Food%20Establishment%20Packet.pdf; City of Odessa Mobile Food Vendor $300/yr + $50 single event (inside city limits); source https://www.odessa-tx.gov/1292/Food-Truck-Vendor-Information
Two-layer permitting (county health permit outside city; city operating permit inside Odessa); A central preparation facility/commissary is required; Effective July 1, 2026, mobile permitting shifts to a statewide DSHS permit under Texas HB 2844
Equipment your Ector County plan review will check
Health-department plan review looks for specific, code-compliant fixtures. Compare spec-filtered options, then confirm counts and sizes with your local requirements. See the full list in what equipment a commercial kitchen requires.
$258 ($0-$49,999.99) / $515 ($50,000-$149,999.99) / $773 ($150,000+), new tiered schedule aligned to the state (DSHS/SB 1008 biennial cap) effective Jan 1, 2026; source https://www.yourbasin.com/news/ector-county-leaders-clarify-food-permit-rules-following-restaurant-closures/ These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Ector County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: Ector County does not publish a separate plan review fee; plan submission and a pre-opening inspection (e.g., required air gaps before authorization to operate) are part of the permitting process; source https://www.ectorcountytx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/624/Frequently-Asked-Questions-PDF
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Ector County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. County permit valid only outside city limits; a central preparation facility/commissary is required; City permit paid via MGO Connect; Effective July 1, 2026, Texas HB 2844 shifts mobile food unit permitting to a statewide DSHS permit
Who issues food permits in Ector County?
Food permits here are issued by Ector County Health Department (Odessa); the City of Odessa (Billing & Collections) issues the operating permit for establishments and mobile units inside Odessa city limits. See the department site for current details.
Are city building and fire approvals separate?
Yes — building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals are always separate from the health permit and are often handled by different offices.
Published by Resultex Media Group LLC · Independent & vendor-neutral · Educational only, not legal or engineering advice · Last verified September 2026