Local permits & fees

Midland County, TX Food Facility Permits & Fees

Restaurants and food trucks.

City of Midland Health Department - Environmental Section (city-administered within City of Midland; Texas DSHS covers areas of the county with no local ordinance) · department site →

Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department 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 City of Midland Health Department - Environmental Section (city-administered within City of Midland; Texas DSHS covers areas of the county with no local ordinance) issues the health permit.

About 416 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 177,108. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Establishment Permit

annual food establishment permit fee is not published online
the City of Midland Health Department requires an application and fee submitted before pre-inspections
contact (432) 681-7613 / environmentalservices@midlandtexas.gov

Apply at least one month before opening; application and fee must be submitted before any pre-inspection

Plan review — required

City of Midland does not publish a separate plan-review fee online
plan/menu review is required for new and remodeled establishments under Texas Food Establishment Rules (25 TAC 228)

Plan-review details & forms →

Reach the department

Phone(432) 681-7613

Emailenvironmentalservices@midlandtexas.gov

Office3303 W Illinois Ave, Ste 22, Midland, TX 79703

Websitewww.midlandtexas.gov →

Plan reviewwww.midlandtexas.gov →

Inspection grading

Numeric score

Texas (TFER) demerit-based inspection: score = 100 minus demerits, fail above 30 demerits; administered by the local health authority, reports public.

Food truck / mobile permit

Mobile Food Unit / Vendor Permit

$100 (City vendor permit, includes food vendors)

$100 vendor permit issued by Development Services; mobile food units are pre-inspected by appointment on Monday mornings; Beginning July 1, 2026, mobile food units operating in Texas must obtain a state license from Texas DSHS (SB 1008 / HB 2844, 89th Legislature), superseding most local mobile permits

How to apply

Forms & applications →

Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.

Local food-service market

About 416 food & drinking establishments serve ~177,108 residents in Midland County — one per ~426 residents, denser than the Texas average (one per ~566).

U.S. Census 2023 population; County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 722).

Watch out for

City of Midland self-administers retail food permitting within the city
Statewide mobile food unit permitting moves to Texas DSHS effective July 1, 2026 (SB 1008 / HB 2844)
Restaurant permit fee schedule is not posted online; must be obtained from the Health Department

Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction

Category	Annual fee	Notes
Temporary / seasonal event	temporary food event permit required at least 72 hours before the event; fee not published online	City of Midland Health Department; Environmental Section
Pushcart / mobile vending	$100 (City vendor permit; includes food vendors)	Issued by Development Services; mobile units pre-inspected Monday mornings; Statewide DSHS mobile license required from July 1, 2026

Equipment your Midland 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.

Compartment sinks

3-bay wash / rinse / sanitize — sized to your menu

Hand sinks

required in prep, cook & warewashing areas

Grease traps / interceptors

sized by drainage fixture units

Reach-in refrigeration

cold-holding at 41°F or below

Work tables & surfaces

NSF-listed, non-absorbent

Hoods & ventilation

over cooking equipment; make-up air

Dishwashers

high-temp or chemical sanitizing

Nearby counties

Permit costs and rules change at the county line — compare Midland County with its neighbors.

Andrews County, TX

Restaurant permit: $258

Ector County, TX

Restaurant permit: $258

Glasscock County, TX

Restaurant permit: $258

Martin County, TX

Restaurant permit: $258

Reagan County, TX

Restaurant permit: $258

Upton County, TX

Restaurant permit: $258

How to open: typical permitting sequence

This is a typical sequence — confirm the exact sequence with your authority having jurisdiction.

Confirm whether Midland County or another local jurisdiction (city/district) handles your exact address.
Confirm zoning and permitted use.
Prepare your menu and scaled plans.
Include an equipment schedule with ANSI/NSF spec sheets.
Submit water-heater and hood documentation.
Pay plan-review fees.
Respond to plan-check corrections.
Obtain Environmental Health plan approval.
Obtain building, plumbing, mechanical and fire approvals.
Schedule rough-plumbing, pre-final and final health inspections.
Pay the operating-permit / application fees.
Receive approval before storing or preparing food.

Official plan-check requirements: plan-check guide →

Frequently asked questions

How much is a food permit in Midland County?

annual food establishment permit fee is not published online; the City of Midland Health Department requires an application and fee submitted before pre-inspections; contact (432) 681-7613 / environmentalservices@midlandtexas.gov These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.

Is plan review required in Midland County?

Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: City of Midland does not publish a separate plan-review fee online; plan/menu review is required for new and remodeled establishments under Texas Food Establishment Rules (25 TAC 228)

Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Midland County?

In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. $100 vendor permit issued by Development Services; mobile food units are pre-inspected by appointment on Monday mornings; Beginning July 1, 2026, mobile food units operating in Texas must obtain a state license from Texas DSHS (SB 1008 / HB 2844, 89th Legislature), superseding most local mobile permits

Who issues food permits in Midland County?

Food permits here are issued by City of Midland Health Department - Environmental Section (city-administered within City of Midland; Texas DSHS covers areas of the county with no local ordinance). 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.

Texas statewide rules

Who licenses you, reciprocity, and the state regime.

What equipment you need

Build a tailored equipment checklist for your concept.

Permits & plan review, explained

The stack of approvals before you open.

Sources: www.midlandtexas.gov · www.midlandtexas.gov · midlandtexas.gov · www.dshs.texas.gov · observed 2026-08-07