Amarillo Area Public Health District, Environmental Health (regulates food establishments across both Potter and Randall counties; formerly City of Amarillo Public Health / Environmental Health) · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Potter County food-facility health permits run about $100–$773 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Confirm the exact amount with Amarillo Area Public Health District, Environmental Health (regulates food establishments across both Potter and Randall counties; formerly City of Amarillo Public Health / Environmental Health) 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 Amarillo Area Public Health District, Environmental Health (regulates food establishments across both Potter and Randall counties; formerly City of Amarillo Public Health / Environmental Health) issues the health permit.
About 317 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 114,647. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 Hygiene Permit - tiered by gross annual food sales
A central preparation facility (commissary) is required for mobile units; 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 Potter County’s permit cost compares
At about $100/year, Potter County’s restaurant health permit is below the Texas median ($258) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 45% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 7th-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 317 food & drinking establishments serve ~114,647 residents in Potter County — one per ~362 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 ~$100 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
The Amarillo Area Public Health District regulates food establishments across BOTH Potter and Randall counties (city and unincorporated), not only inside the City of Amarillo
Amarillo Area Public Health District temporary and farmers-market fees; fee schedule effective Sept 1, 2025
Pushcart / mobile vending
Mobile units permitted under the same gross-annual-sales tiers as fixed establishments (Tier 1 $258 / Tier 2 $515 / Tier 3 $773); no separate mobile-unit line in the fee schedule; source https://www.amarillo.gov/environmental-health/fee-schedule/
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 Potter 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 (Tier 1, $0-$49,999.99) / $515 (Tier 2, $50,000-$149,999.99) / $773 (Tier 3, $150,000+); Farmers Market (Tier 0) $100; non-profits & group care facilities serving food (Tier 0-NC) $0; fee schedule effective Sept 1, 2025; source https://www.amarillo.gov/environmental-health/fee-schedule/ These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Potter County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: the Environmental Health fee schedule does not list a separate plan review fee; plan review is conducted as part of the new-establishment permitting process; source https://www.amarillo.gov/environmental-health/fee-schedule/
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Potter County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. A central preparation facility (commissary) is required for mobile units; Effective July 1, 2026, Texas HB 2844 shifts mobile food unit permitting to a statewide DSHS permit
Who issues food permits in Potter County?
Food permits here are issued by Amarillo Area Public Health District, Environmental Health (regulates food establishments across both Potter and Randall counties; formerly City of Amarillo Public Health / Environmental Health). 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