Restaurants, commercial kitchens, and food trucks.
City of Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District (Wichita Falls Health District), Environmental Health Division · department site →
Fees change often — always confirm the current amount with the department before you budget.
Wichita County food-facility health permits run about $28–$329 annually, depending on size or sales volume. Plan review runs about $82–$163. Confirm the exact amount with City of Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District (Wichita Falls Health District), Environmental Health Division 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 Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District (Wichita Falls Health District), Environmental Health Division issues the health permit.
About 279 food & drinking establishments operate here, serving a population of about 130,180. (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amendments aren’t individually reviewed, so confirm current rules with the authority having jurisdiction.See something out of date?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 →
Large (over 5,000 sq ft) $329 (effective October 1, 2025)
Late fee $28 per expired month
Countywide district covering the City of Wichita Falls and Wichita County; anyone selling or giving away food to the public in the county needs a permit unless covered by the Texas Cottage Food Law; Source: https://www.wichitafallstx.gov/863/Food-Establishment-Fees-Forms
From July 1, 2026 (Texas HB 2844) mobile food units transition to a statewide TX DSHS Mobile Food Vendor License; the local $258 mobile permit is being superseded by the state permit
Fees/payment and forms are on the department site; application steps vary by concept — see the checklist below.
How Wichita County’s permit cost compares
At about $28/year, Wichita County’s restaurant health permit is below the Texas median ($258) and below the U.S. median ($125) — higher than about 3% of U.S. counties.
Ranked 1st-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 279 food & drinking establishments serve ~130,180 residents in Wichita County — one per ~467 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 ~$28 annual health permit + $82 plan review.
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
Full published fee schedule effective October 1, 2025 (fiscal-year fees)
Multi-Departmental Grocery Store $221 base + $139 per department
Temporary permit $56 (5+ business days notice) / $84 rush (<5 days)
Office/mailing: 1300 7th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76307; Environmental Health (940) 761-7820
Other food-service permits in this jurisdiction
Category
Annual fee
Notes
Caterer
$275/yr standalone; $138/yr as an add-on to an existing permit
Wichita Falls Health District fee schedule effective October 1, 2025
Commissary / central preparation kitchen
$139/yr (Shared Community Kitchen)
Shared/community kitchen category on the district fee schedule
Bar / limited food service
$221/yr (Restricted Operation); Concession Stand $139/yr
Limited/restricted food operations permitted at the Restricted Operation rate
Grocery / market with deli
$221/yr base plus $139 per department (Multi-Departmental Grocery Store)
Each additional food department (deli, bakery, meat, etc.) adds $139
Temporary / seasonal event
$56 (5+ business days notice) or $84 rush (<5 business days); Pop-Up Food Vendor $310/yr
Temporary permit is per event; pop-up vendor is an annual category
Pushcart / mobile vending
$258/yr (Mobile Food Establishment)
Superseded by the statewide TX DSHS mobile license from July 1, 2026 (HB 2844)
Equipment your Wichita 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.
Restricted Operation $221; Small (under 2,500 sq ft) $226; Medium (2,501-5,000 sq ft) $283; Large (over 5,000 sq ft) $329 (effective October 1, 2025); Late fee $28 per expired month These are annual health-permit fees, usually tiered by seating or size; confirm your exact category with the department.
Is plan review required in Wichita County?
Yes — plan review is required before you build or remodel a food facility. Typical fees: $163 initial inspection for new construction; $112 for a remodel or concept change; $82 per re-inspection
Do I need a commissary for a food truck in Wichita County?
In most cases, yes — most mobile units must operate from an approved commissary; confirm exemptions with the department. From July 1, 2026 (Texas HB 2844) mobile food units transition to a statewide TX DSHS Mobile Food Vendor License; the local $258 mobile permit is being superseded by the state permit
Who issues food permits in Wichita County?
Food permits here are issued by City of Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District (Wichita Falls Health District), Environmental Health Division. 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